STX Offshore seeks to sell STX France

STX Offshore seeks to sell STX France

STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co aims to sell STX France, say media reports

STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co aims to sell STX France as part of a restructuring plan, according to media reports.

The South Korean company, which filed for receivership in May, reportedly told a bankruptcy court in South Korea that it has hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to help it sell its subsidiary STX France, and also said it plans to cut its staff in Korea by a third by the end of September this year.

STX’s creditors will decide in October whether to accept the restructuring plan, say media reports.

Previous sale attempts of STX France fell through in 2014 and 2015.

STX France was acquired by STX Offshore and Shipbuilding in 2009. The shipbuilder has a very healthy orderbook, with cruise ships on it including MSC Cruises’ two next generation Vista-class cruise ships and Celebrity Cruises’ Project Edge newbuilds. 

It also built the world’s largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, which was delivered earlier this year, and a memorandum of understanding has been signed for a fifth Oasis-class ship.

The Largest Cruise Ship Ever, Harmony of the Seas Photos

Delivery ceremony of the Harmony of the Seas at the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, May 12, 2016.

Delivery ceremony of the Harmony of the Seas at the STX Les Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, May 12, 2016.

Royal Caribbean this week celebrated the delivery of Harmony of the Seas, which at 227,000 gross tons is the largest cruise ship ever constructed.

The ship was delivered Thursday following 32 months of construction at the STX France shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France.

Costing more than a $1 billion, Harmony of the Seas is the 25th ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet and third Oasis-class ship.

The ship will spend it inaugural season sailing the Mediterranean from Barcelona, Spain before heading to her homeport of Port Everglades, Florida in November where it will offer regular seven-night sailings to the eastern and western Caribbean.

The ship has capacity to carry 5,479 guests in 2,747 staterooms, and is home to 2,100 crew.

Update: Following Thursday’s delivery ceremony, Harmony of the Seas departed the STX France shipyard on Sunday to great fanfare.

The Harmony of the Seas (Oasis 3) class ship leaves the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, France, May 15, 2016. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
The Harmony of the Seas (Oasis 3) class ship leaves the STX Les Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, France, May 15, 2016. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

Earlier photos:

Harmony of the Seas pictured in January 2016 at STX France. Credit: Royal Caribbean
Harmony of the Seas pictured in January 2016 at STX France. Credit: Royal Caribbean
Harmony of the Seas during sea trials in March 2016. Credit: Royal Caribbean
Harmony of the Seas during sea trials in March 2016. Credit: Royal Caribbean
Credit: Royal Caribbean
Credit: Royal Caribbean
Credit: Royal Caribbean
Credit: Royal Caribbean
Inside Harmony of the Seas' engine room. Credit: Royal Caribbean
Inside Harmony of the Seas’ engine room. Credit: Royal Caribbean
Harmony of the Seas' control room. Credit: Royal Caribbean
Harmony of the Seas’ control room. Credit: Royal Caribbean
Credit: Royal Caribbean
Credit: Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean takes delivery of Harmony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship, and its arrival was marked with a traditional delivery and flag changing ceremony in Saint Nazaire, France took place following 32 months of constructions.

Joining the festivities in the ship’s signature AquaTheater were Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International together with Laurent Castaing, General Manager, STX France.

“Harmony of the Seas is the product of our zealous spirit of continuous improvement, where we have combined revolutionary ship design with the technological strides that have defined the Royal Caribbean brand,” said Richard D. Fain. “Thank you to STX France for their ongoing partnership in building our ships, which continue to introduce unexpected industry innovations.”

Harmony is truly magnificent in every sense of the word, from her architecture and design to the level of care and attention to detail with which our incredible crew are taking to prepare for our first guests,” said Michael Bayley. “The ship is the ‘best of the best’ of what our guests love most about Royal Caribbean, combined with new and thrilling experiences never before found in one place but it is the passion and dedication of our crew that will make everlasting memories for our guests.”

Harmony of the Seas will homeport in Barcelona, Spain and embark on the first of 34 seven-night sailings in the western Mediterranean on June 7, exploring some of Europe’s most beautiful locations. In November 2016, Harmony will arrive at her homeport of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, FL., from where she will offer seven-night eastern and western Caribbean sailings. The newest member of the fleet will join sister-ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, sailing from Port Canaveral and Port Everglades respectively, on the east coast of Florida.