Law firm, Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has advised long-standing client, TUI Cruises on the delivery of the ’Mein Schiff Relax’, the eighth ship in the ‘Mein Schiff’ series and TUI Cruises’ first to be built at Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard.
‘Mein Schiff Relax’ is the first of two InTUItion class ships being built at Fincantieri for TUI Cruises.
The vessel marks a new era for the ‘Mein Schiff’ ‘experience. Her design combines spacious public areas with numerous places to retreat to enjoy maximum relaxation. She is designed to appeal to a broad target group from single travellers to families.
As part of TUI Cruises’ de-carbonisation roadmap, the company is committed to using a range of climate-friendly fuels, including biodiesel, biomethanol and bio-LNG, as well as synthetic fuels.
‘Mein Schiff Relax’ is fitted with a dual-fuel engine and is the first LNG ship to be able to use bio-LNG in future.
WFW advised TUI Cruises on the building contracts, the financing arrangements and ship’s delivery.
TUI Cruises was established in April 2008, as a joint venture between TUI and Royal Caribbean Cruises.
Based in Hamburg, the company offers cruises in the upper-contemporary/premium, luxury and expedition market segments through two brands: Mein Schiff, specialising in the upper-contemporary/premium segment and Hapag Lloyd Cruises, the only luxury brand in the DACH region operating in both the luxury and expedition segments.
With the addition of ‘Mein Schiff Relax’, TUI Cruises’ fleet consists of 13 vessels, with over 24,000 berths on offer.
WFW’s London Assets and Structured Finance team that advised TUI Cruises was led by Partner, Lucy Shtenko, working closely with fellow Partner, Robert Platt and Senior Associates, Katie Shiels and Philip Chope. Italy Associate, Sergio Napolitano provided on the ground assistance at the delivery point.
