For the steel-cutting, Crystal president and CEO Tom Wolber was joined by Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman and CEO of Genting Hong Kong; Colin Au, group president of Genting Hong Kong; Jarmo Laakso, CEO of MV Werften; and local dignitaries.
'Today is a special day in the development of Crystal Endeavor, which will introduce the next level of exploration for the Crystal brand,' Wolber said. 'We are pleased to collaborate again with the experts at MV Werften as we work toward a vision for Crystal Endeavor that truly embodies the spirit of discovery of Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises.'
Lim, who pushed the button to start the steel-cutting, said Genting Hong Kong has invested more than €20m in new equipment so the Stralsund yard will be able to continue to build cruise ships efficiently in the future.
For his part, Laakso called Crystal Endeavor a 'truly exceptional ship,' adding that the project would created hundreds of jobs.
The 25,000gt, 200-berth Crystal Endeavor will be a polar-class ship with all-suite, butler-serviced accommodations. It will join the smaller Crystal Esprit, sailing for Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises since late 2015.
Local officials at Monday's steel-cutting included Harry Glawe, economics minister for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Stralsund Lord Mayor Alexander Badrow.
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