GALLERY: MSC Magnifica Ready for Next Cruise

After a 17-day drydocking the cruise ship MSC Magnifica left Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam for Hamburg on schedule to start her next cruise, Damen said in a release.

Damen Shiprepair replaced some 47 tonnes of steel, replaced the rudders, cleaned and painted the vessel.

Built in 2010, the MSC Magnifica is 293 m long and has a capacity for more than 2,500 passengers.

“The rudders were a major job, we sealed off and pressurised the whole area. And fortunately we have a very large machine shop on site, which was invaluable to ensure the rudder renewal remained on schedule. We also worked very closely with the rudder manufacturer Rolls-Royce,” Derks said.

She arrived at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam on October 20 and was berthed at the yard’s largest drydock, which is 307 m in length.

Commenting on the MSC Magnifica project, Marc Derks, Shiprepair Rotterdam Project Manager, said: “This was an excellent operation, I am very proud of the team. The advance planning and preparation paid off.”

Mr Derks stresses that this project had the added challenge that the ship’s 800-strong crew remained on board during the work.

“The crew were fantastic and helped us a lot. It was a really great cooperation.”

Next week, on December 2 another cruise vessel will arrive at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam – the 200 m MS Saga Sapphire.

Press Release; Images: Damen