MV Werften, Genting Hong Kong’s shipyard consortium, has announced further investments. On Tuesday the group announced three contracts for an “extensive” investment program in its Rostock facility.

The agreements include a purchasing contract for a new thin-plate laser panel line with welding and production automation specialist Pemamek, the construction of a new hall with engineering company Inros Lackner and design services with service engineer Warnow Design.

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman of the Genting Group, said: “This investment clearly indicates our long-term commitment to our yards and our plans to make MV Werften one of the world’s most modern and efficient cruise shipbuilders.”

“With the investment in our Rostock yard and especially in this new and most efficient welding method, we will further increase our steel prefabrication capacity and thus improve our productivity,” added Jarmo Laakso, managing director of the yard.

With the new line, the shipyard group will have one of the most modern welding stations in Europe and will be able to handle the large cruise-ship building programs.

The advanced laser-hybrid welding station will be installed in the new hall from September 2017. Commissioning will be in February 2018.

The so called laser-hybrid technique offers a new high-quality and effective welding method by providing higher speed at less energy and heat input, thus causing less distortion and subsequently considerably lowering straightening work, said a statement.