The net profit of Genting Hong Kong increased to US$2.17 billion (MOP$17.28 billion) from US$216.91 million (MOP1.73 billion), which means it increased almost nine times during the first half of the year. The information was released in a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by the company that operates cruises and resort businesses. The results of the company were mainly boosted by the disposal of shares from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) as in March Genting Hong Kong sold 6.25 million shares for US$212.5 million, and another 10 million shares for US$1,954.5 million in May. However, the sale of shares from the cruise company had started in the first half of last year, but at that time Genting Hong Kong only generated US$152.6 million in March with the sale of around 7.5 million shares. The good news for the company was the increase in revenue from passenger tickets, which reached US$99.46 million for the first six months of the year, while for the same period in 2014 it generated US$71.50 million. Onboard revenue, however, decreased 13 per cent to US$165.64 million from US$187.26 million in the first half of the year. In terms of the prospects the company is now waiting for two new cruise ships to be added to Star Cruises, which are scheduled to be delivered in the fourth quarters of next year and 2017. In addition, the company signed a letter of intent to buy three more luxury cruises for the Crystal Cruises subsidiary. The first of these cruises is expected to be delivered during the fourth quarter of 2018.
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