Rostock-Warnemünde, 14 September 2007 – The TwinCruiser river vessel developed by Premicon AG, and built by NEPTUN WERFT in Rostock, was given a place at the German Museum in Munich as a milestone in technological development.

The groundbreaking technology of the vessel, specifically the concept is the separation of drive and passenger units, provided worldwide excitement amongst experts. This provides a special low-vibration and quiet cruise experience along Europe’s rivers, creating an ideal experience among passengers. All cabins, restaurants and public spaces are free from engine noise.

In addition to this, all the cabins are built in a particularly efficient prefabrication process before being placed on the main deck. This ensures an extremely high sound insulation between the individual cabins. Five ships of this type have already been delivered, with the sixth ship of this series currently being built in Rostock-Warnemünde.

In a small ceremony at the German Museum in Munich, a model of a 5-star TwinCruiser at a scale of 1:50 has now been handed over to Dr. Thomas Goppel, the Bavarian State Minister for Science and Art, and is accessible to the interested public. More than 1 million visitors annually visit the German Museum, known for its art exhibitions.

Rostock-Warnemünde, 06 September 2007 - On Monday, twenty young people began their apprenticeship at NEPTUN WERFT in Rostock. The apprentices will be trained in construction mechanics, plant mechanics or industrial mechanics.

With the addition of these latest trainees, NEPTUN WERFT now employs 69 apprentices in industrial occupations, making it one of the largest training providers in the Rostock area.

NEPTUN WERFT has a long tradition of education and practical training, and it is not only seen as a responsibility to the region but it also secures a grounded education to meet the expected shortage of future professionals. NEPTUN WERFT focuses on the construction of river cruise liners as well as on naval supplies for MEYER WERFT.

Rostock 2 March 2007 - On 27 February NEPTUN WERFT GmbH in Rostock delivered Avalon Imagery, the 5th TwinCruiser-type ship, to the owner, Premicon AG. The vessel will soon leave the shipyard for Cologne. This is the 11th unit the Rostock-based river cruise specialist has delivered since 2002. Her sister ship, the Avalon Tapestry, was delivered as early as on 23rd January and already left for the river Rhine.

According to the TwinCruiser concept the ship consists of two independent hulls. The aft section holds the propulsion system and the living quarters for the technical crew as well as the lifting wheelhouse, while the forward section, 110 m long, accommodates the passenger cabins, public rooms, the galley with cold stores as well as the living quarters for the service crew. Keeping the machinery spaces and the passenger areas separate decreases noise and vibration in the passenger quarters to a considerable extent. Also on these ships the cabins were installed as pre-fabricated units.

Cabins and public rooms

For these ships individual concepts for high-end river cruises were tailor-made to meet the owner's requirements. Spacious suites and cabins, attractive public areas and the friendly service in the gastronomic areas create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.

The suites and cabins are fitted with a spacious shower, a double bed and a large wall unit. The standard outfitting comprises a vanity table, easy chairs, telephone, satellite TV and radio as well as a mini safe and fridge. The 4 suites also have an elegant lounge. All passenger cabins, which are located on the main deck, feature French balconies. All told, the ship has 4 suites and 81 double cabins for 170 passengers.

The public rooms are located in the forward part of the ship. The main deck accommodates a modern restaurant, while on the upper deck there is a lounge with bar and dance floor. A large terrace is provided in front of the lounge which stretches over the complete width of the ship and offers an unobstructed view in forward direction. Thanks to the all-round glazing of the restaurant and the lounge the passengers may enjoy a clear view of the scenery passing by. A fitness area, hairdresser's, a club room and spacious reception halls make the outfit of the ship complete.

In the forward area of the ship there is a sun deck on which the passengers can enjoy an unobstructed view also outside. On a 100-sqm surface glass windscreens and a retractable sun roof create protected seating areas.

Engineering

Both the MS Avalon Tranquility and the Avalon Imagery feature 2 MTU diesel engines each, type 8V 4000 M60 having an output of 800 kW per unit. The propulsion speed is approx. 22 km/h. The propulsion system comprises 4-blade propeller systems made by company Veth. Power is generated by 3 resiliently mounted three-phase AC units with an output of approx. 310 kVA each.

On the aft ship section that holds the propulsion system, the wheelhouse is accommodated whose height can be adjusted. The one-man control panel includes all control elements for the two river radars, the radio system, propulsion system etc.

The waste water produced on board is treated in the biological purification plant; black water is disposed of by means of a vacuum system.

The air-conditioning system in the public areas works according to the rainfall principle, while in the cabins fan coils are provided.

Main Characteristics Avalon Tranquility and Avalon Imagery

12 employees complete their training successfully

Rostock, 2 February 2007 - At NEPTUN WERFT in Warnemünde, vocational training has always been very important. Recruiting the next generation for its own employment is just as important for the shipyard as providing apprenticeships beyond the company's requirements. Young people are offered qualified training so that they can pave the way to be successful in their jobs. This year NEPTUN WERFT offers apprenticeships to 20 young people.

12 trainees received their diplomas after finishing their apprenticeship on 31 January, 2007. Of these 12, 9 got an employment and received their contracts from Manfred Müller-Fahrenholz, managing director of NEPTUN WERFT. These young employees contribute to securing and enhancing the continued existence and the growth of the company.

Rostock-Warnemünde, 12 October 2006 – To coincide with the beginning of the new training year NEPTUN WERFT has opened a new training hall to further ensure a high quality apprenticeship. Built adjacent to the large assembly halls, this new workshop is located in the heart of the shipyard.

The new training hall offers more than 700m² of space, with he different training areas arranged according to the latest research findings. This results in the educational office being placed in the middle of the hall to ensure a close contact between the trainees and their instructors.

This year NEPTUN WERFT employs twenty new apprentices and trains 89 people in total. Among these, a female apprentice will be trained in the assembly halls of NEPTUN WERFT for the first time. All trainees are supervised by four trainers as well as the department staff.

NEPTUN WERFT is one of the largest training companies in the Rostock area. Training and education has always been a high priority as good and qualified employees are needed for the future construction of innovative river cruise ships.

Rostock-Warnemünde, 10 March 2006 - NEPTUN Stahlbau GmbH is once again known as NEPTUN WERFT, reverting to its original name. NEPTUN Stahlbau GmbH, one of the successor companies of the old NEPTUN WERFT, has now accordingly been renamed. As part of the renaming MEYER NEPTUN, NEPTUN WERFT and MEYER WERFT received a uniform appearance, which reflects the combined expertise in the group.

The "new" NEPTUN WERFT GmbH will continue to focus on building world class river cruise vessels. Within this growth market it has acquired a great international reputation. The best example for this is the delivery of the latest TwinCruiser "Avalon Tapestry" to Premicon AG in Munich on March 09 th. Three other ships of this type are currently under construction.

"We concentrate on looking forward. Traditions are important, but more important is the correct market position for the future, "said owner Bernard Meyer. Throughout the shipbuilding industry, the name NEPTUN WERFT stands for over 150 years of quality. The resumption of the name refers to the long tradition of shipbuilding and is also a clear commitment to Rostock.

Currently NEPTUN WERFT employs 400 employees. Approximately the same number of individuals are employed by suppliers from the region. In addition to this NEPTUN WERFT is heavily involved in education and practical training. At present the shipyard trains 64 young people from the region in five different occupations.