TUI has confirmed it is in talks to build two new ships for its Marella fleet, which would be significantly larger than its existing vessels.
Marella’s fleet currently consists of five ships, of which Marella Explorer is the largest, carrying 1,924 passengers.
TUI revealed during a presentation on Tuesday that it would like two new ships carrying up to 3,200 passengers each.
It is hoping they will be delivered in 2031 and 2033, but stressed that it has yet to secure slots at a shipyard to build the ships, which would revitalise Marella’s elderly fleet.
TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel said discussions for slots are ongoing, while at the same time the operator is scouring the second-hand market for ships.
Chief Strategy Office Peter Krueger said it was ‘exploring all options’ but added: “From an economic perspective, looking at rebuild versus second-hand, second-hand tonnage has to come at a very good price.”
TUI is hoping to take a decision in the shortterm, rather than the longterm, since it is ‘getting harder every single day’ to make a profit from older ships, said Peter.
“Unfortunately, the decision is not our decision only. We need the availability of slots (at the shipyard) and they need to come at the right price,” he added.
When asked why TUI hadn’t previously commissioned ships, like other large lines, Peter said: “I think we needed a bit of time to come back from the (COVID) crisis. Now we are getting into a position of strength, where we can look at further investments.”
TUI has also yet to decide if it will build the ships alone, or in partnership with another company. At the same time, it is considering ‘alternative ownership structures’ for Marella, it said.
Peter said Marella would also like a private island – or peninsula, similar to Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay in the Caribbean.
“We have been looking to do something similar, maybe in the Caribbean or on the coast of Africa,” he said. “We are looking for opportunities, maybe not for a full island but maybe a peninsula.”
