(Hapag Lloyd) SPECULATION THREAD: Who is the company that owns Europa II?

[RBCL]

 

So we know that Hapag Lloyd is actually chartering Europa II for a number of years from an unkown company. This thread is to speculate on who that company is.

 

Look at the flag at the stern, it's red. It may be just apart of the render, but what if it's the flag color of the companies country?

 

What countries have red flags? Could it be Albania, with it's close distance to Germany, and Mediterannean location?

 

 

What about Turkey, or Tunasia? Both located close to Germany, and are in the Mediterannean.

 

Albania

 

Turkey

 

Tunasia

 

What do you think?

[RBCL]

 

How about Switzerland? MSC (Container, Cruises...) is based there in Geneva. It's very close to Germany, and German is one of their main Languages.

[Oceans&Rivers]

I first thought it might be the Coat of Arms (Wappen) for Papenburg, Germany, where the German shipyard of Meyer-Werft is located:

 

 

However, Europa 2's contract went to South Korean-controlled shipbuilder STX Europe, and their company logo is red:

 

 

 

So, I think the red flag is not that of a country, but of the shipbuilder.

 

 

STX Europe (former Aker Yards)

[Oceans&Rivers]

It could also be the flag of Norway:

 

 

STX Europe (which also built the Allure of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas) has a location in Norway.

 

The flag on the stern in your posted drawing has blue in the red.

[Oceans&Rivers]

Hurtigruten's Norwegian Coastal ships fly the Norwegian flag:

 

Here's something from YouTube:

 

 

Check the stern of the MS Richard With as she passes her sister ship, Midnatsol. The flag is identical

[Oceans&Rivers]

The ship will be constructed at the Saint-Nazaire shipyards (STX-France, part of STX-Europe) where the strange-looking Norwegian Epic was built.

 

So...perhaps the ship will actually be owned by Norwegian Cruise Line?

 

(I am almost shuddering at the thought that a top luxury liner might come under the umbrella of NCL, but it's beginning to look like that is a possibility.)

 

We know that Holland America's product has changed significantly under the ownership of Carnival, so I'm curious what others might think.

[RBCL]

Quite possibly NCL - her top superstructure reminds me a little bit of Epic.

[RBCL]

 

Expanding on my post above, Europa (I) does not have an Epic-like superstructure, whereas Europa (II) does.

[Oceans&Rivers]

from their corporate profile:

 

"Genting Hong Kong, formerly known as Star Cruises Limited, is a leading global leisure, entertainment and hospitality enterprise, with core competences in both land and sea-based businesses:

 

Star Cruises - Asia-Pacific

 

Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) - A 50% joint ownership alongside Apollo and TPG

 

Resorts World Manila (RWM) - Manila, Philippines; joint partnership with

 

Alliance Global Group under Travellers International"

 

 

The funnel shape, while not identical, certainly looks similar.

[RBCL]

I noticed that about the funnel - but it still seems odd that a casual, fun, entertainment cruise line would own one of the world's most luxurious ships.

[RBCL]

Oh, and look at the bow, there's a BLUE flag. What company has both a red and blue flag? If any?

[Oceans&Rivers]

I noticed that about the funnel - but it still seems odd that a casual, fun, entertainment cruise line would own one of the world's most luxurious ships.

 

CCL, Carnival Cruise Lines, owns Seabourn, and that's a luxury line, too.

[RBCL]

Good point - oh and don't forget CCL owns Cunard!

[RBCL]

UPDATE: Bahamas Flag...Europa II is registered in Bahamas, it only makes sense that it's the Bahamas flag. :eek:

[Oceans&Rivers]

UPDATE: Bahamas Flag...Europa II is registered in Bahamas, it only makes sense that it's the Bahamas flag. :eek:

 

The Bahamas flag looks nothing like what is shown on the ship drawing:

 

[RBCL]

The Bahamas flag looks nothing like what is shown on the ship drawing:

 

 

I got the info from someone else - I completely forgot what the Bahamas flag looked like, sorry! :o