Karl WP Beyer August 12, 2024 – The traditional family business of the MEYER Group is sailing in stormy seas. The shipyard operations are in financial difficulties. We last reported on this unfortunate situation on July 31. The largest order in the shipyard's history in terms of value may provide hope and stabilization.
As announced today, last week the shipyard's senior partner, Bernard Meyer, and Thomas Mazloum, President, New Experiences Portfolio and Disney Signature Experiences, signed a framework agreement for the construction of four cruise ships for the Disney Group. Details of the new ships, such as design, names and routes, are currently being developed.
Contract signing - pictured left: Thomas Mazloum, right: Bernard Meyer - Photo © Disney Cruise Line
With this contract, Disney and MEYER Werft are continuing their long and successful partnership. Over the next seven years, the shipyard will build the ships for the Disney Cruise Line.
The Papenburg-based company's press release states: "MEYER WERFT and Disney Cruise Line have a long partnership that began with the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, which the Papenburg shipyard completed in 2010 and 2012. In 2022, the company delivered the Disney Wish, the first ship of the Wish class, to Disney Cruise Line. Their sister ships Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny are currently under construction in Papenburg and will be handed over in 2024 and 2025."
Disney Wish at Port Canaveral
With the agreement reached with Disney, the shipyard's order book includes ten cruise ships, a research vessel and the steel construction of four offshore converter platforms. The total order value is more than eleven billion euros. Management sees the orders as a strong and positive signal for the future of jobs in Papenburg. It is to be hoped that the award of the contract to the shipyard will encourage the federal and state governments of Lower Saxony to issue state guarantees for the continued existence of the shipyard.
