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.

Rostock-Warnemünde, 13 March 2006 – Today the Avalon Tapestry, second TwinCruiser for Premicon AG in Munich, left NEPTUN Stahlbau GmbH towards Cologne.

The new TwinCruiser concept consists of two independent hulls which decouples sound and vibration from the engine to the passenger facilities and ensures a smooth and silent journey. The rear part of the river cruiser contains the drive unit, cabins for the technical crew as well as the wheelhouse. The front, with a length of 110 metres, contains the passenger cabins, public rooms, kitchen with food storage rooms as well as staff cabins. A characteristic of this new construction concept and an advantage of this ship is that 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.

Cabins and public spaces

This individually designed river vessel offers its passengers high quality river trips for a very good price/performance ratio. Its modern design ensures a pleasant atmosphere and the hotel and catering sector provides a high quality level of service.

Each cabin is equipped with a spacious shower, a double bed and a large wall unit. Dressing table, chair, telephone, satellite TV and radio are also standard equipment as well as safety deposit box and refrigerator. Added to this all passenger cabins located above the main deck have a French balcony. The “Avalon Tapestry” offers two suites, each approx 22m² and 80 double cabins at about 14.5 meters and can host up to 164 passengers.

In the front of the vessel a modern restaurant with 166 seats and a lounge with bar are available. Both are fully glazed to ensure the passenger can enjoy an undisturbed view over the river. A hair salon and a small separate club room complete the facilities of the ship. Unusual for this type of vessel is that the walk-in part of the sun deck is arranged in the front area. Thus, passengers can also enjoy a straight view ahead.

Covering an area of over 100 meters are and arrangement of seats and sun chairs, surrounded by a glass windbreak and deflectable sun blinds for protection. For variety, the “Avalon Tapestry” also provides a Wellness- and Fitness area with several cardio machines.

Engine and Speed

The Avalon Tapestry is powered by two MTU diesel engines Type 16V 2000 M60 with an output of 800kW and a speed of 21.7 km/h.

Further new buildings

The Premicon AG ordered two further new constructions at NEPTUN Stahlbau GmbH for delivery in early 2007. These river cruisers are designed for the use on the Rhine, the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal as well as the Danube.

Rostock-Warnemünde, 31 January 2006 – At NEPTUN Stahlbau GmbH, training has traditionally had a very high priority. Next to the recruitment of their own trained youngsters, the company also sees the provision of training places far beyond its own requirements but also as a vital task. Young people are offered a qualified education and thus given a solid foundation for career advancement. This will result in NEPTUN Stahlbau GmbH employing twenty new trainees in autumn 2006.

After three and a half years of education, 17 trainees have successfully passed the final examination. 14 specialise in construction mechanics whilst the other three focus on plant mechanics. Due to their extraordinary efforts they have all been offered a temporary contract and 14 will continue their work as skilled employees at the shipyard.

In a small ceremony Dr. Rainer Miebach, plant manager of NEPTUN Stahlbau GmbH, handed out the exams credentials as well as the employment contracts. NEPTUN sees these young trainees as an important component to ensure the survival and growth of the shipyard.