The Asia-based Crystal Cruises' owner GHK is delaying the launch of new ships while issuing a profit warning because of the pandemic forcing the suspension of operations.
According to GHK-Genting Hong Kong, the delivery of 200-passenger megayacht Crystal Endeavor, originally due to be delivered this summer, had been put back by “about a year”.
The debut of the 9500-passenger liner Global Dream (currently the world's largest cruise ship by max passenger capacity) has also been delayed. Both vessels are currently under construction in Germany (at MV Werften's shipyards), which are also owned by GHK.
GHK (shipowner, the parent company of Dream Cruises, Star Cruises and Crystal Cruises) also has interests in a group of German yards and disclosed an expected net loss for 2020-H1 (6 months / through June 30) of USD 600 million - against USD 56,5 million for 2019-H1.
GHK cited the fleetwide cruise suspension (across its 3 brands) and paused shipbuilding operations at MV Werften as contributing to the half-year losses.
Genting added it faced “severely restricted” operations at its entertainment and leisure businesses in Singapore and Manila.