Sembcorp Marine's wholly-owned subsidiary Sembawang Shipyard has clinched a deal worth $25 million with RCL Cruises, a member of the Royal Caribbean Cruises group, to refurbish Royal Caribbean International's cruise ship, Voyager of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Cruises is a global cruise vacation company that owns Royal Caribbean International, among other cruise brands.

This milestone contract will further boost Singapore's status as a major Asian cruise hub and reinforce Sembawang's reputation as among the leading shipyards in cruise ships repair, refurbishment and conversion, SembMarine said.

Sembawang Shipyard has successfully refurbished Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas in 2012 and the Legend of the Seas last year.

Work on Voyager of the Seas is scheduled to start in fourth quarter. The ship sails out from Sydney for the winter and spring seasons, and operates in North Asia during summer and autumn.

"We have over the recent few years, focused strongly on the development of our fast-growing niche markets, one of which is the cruise ship repairs/upgrades and conversion market," said Mr P.K. Ong, deputy president of SembMarine and managing director of Sembawang Shipyard.

"Our dedicated Sembawang cruise ship project team has worked very well with Royal Caribbean's team on several ships and look forward to another successful collaboration on Voyager of the Seas," he added.

Mr Kevin Douglas, vice president, technical projects and newbuild at Royal Caribbean Cruises said the shipyard will help introduce innovative and popular onboard amenities that debuted on the Oasis-class of ships, "as well as brand new innovative concepts that will greatly elevate the experience for our guests".