Construction Starts on New LNG-Fuelled Disney Cruise Ship | Mariner News
German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has commenced construction on the Disney Believe, the latest LNG-fuelled cruise ship for Disney Cruise Line. The keel-laying ceremony at its Papenburg shipyard in Germany marked the start of the second gigablock for the vessel, which will be the fourth in Disney’s Wish class.
Andre Walter, CEO of Meyer Werft, stated that the Disney Believe will uphold “MEYER quality” and meet Disney’s high standards for entertainment and facilities, utilizing LNG for propulsion.
This new build contributes to the rapidly expanding global LNG-fuelled fleet, which currently comprises 949 ships. According to classification society DNV data, an additional 736 LNG-fuelled vessels are projected to join the fleet by 2030. Of the existing fleet, 35 are LNG-fuelled cruise ships.
The ongoing commitment by high-profile operators like Disney to build new LNG-fuelled cruise ships signals a sustained strategic investment in LNG as a marine fuel. This continued expansion, particularly within the cruise sector, reinforces the commercial viability and necessity for developing robust LNG bunkering infrastructure and secure supply chains for the foreseeable future. It solidifies LNG’s role as a practical and available pathway for decarbonization for specific vessel types, contributing to economies of scale and operational stability for this transitional fuel.
