EMEA News
LNG- and Wind-Powered Cruise Ships Planned
A new German company plans to invest up to €750 million ($968 million) in new fuel-efficient cruise ships featuring liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines and wind power systems, industry news site Tradewinds reports.
Hamburg-based Green Sailing will order up to five newbuilding 350-passenger ships from European shipyards at €100 million ($130 million) to €150 million ($194 million) each.
Green Sailing shareholder Martina Kuhlman said it should be easier to find financing for cruise ships than for cargo ships.
Niels Stolberg, formerly the head of heavylift operator Beluga Shipping, is chairman of the company's supervisory board, while Rolf Rohden and Norbert Schlesiger will act as joint managing directors, with Rohden responsible for technical matters and Schlesiger leading the financial side.
Stolberg is involved in a continuing legal conflict related to Beluga Shipping, and Kuhlmann said Stolberg would be able to step down from his role with the new company if necessary.
Stolberg was also involved with the Skysails kite-propulsion system while at Beluga.
Stolberg was charged with fraud last year in connection with his role at Beluga, industry news site Heavy Lift PFI reported at the time.
