STX France bags order for two luxury cruise ships from Viking Ocean Cruises
STX France SA, part of STX Europe AS, has received an order to build two luxury cruise ships from Viking Ocean Cruises, an affiliate of Viking River Cruises. The vessels will be delivered in spring 2014 and spring 2015, respectively, and will be part of Viking's new Ocean Cruise brand. An option for a third ship is being considered, the shipbuilding group said Wednesday.
The vessels will be operated primarily on the Mediterranean seas and be dedicated mainly to Viking's US, British and Australian customers.
The vessels will have a length of 230m and a width of 26.5m. They will each include 888 passengers in 444 cabins with a complement of 444 crew members.
The contract will represent about 2.5 million man-hours. Construction is expected to start in mid-September 2012 for the first vessel and in mid-September 2013 for the second vessel. The contract is subject to financing.
Well known as the world's leading river cruise company Viking ranks as an upscale owner. Viking River Cruise currently operates a fleet of 23 river vessels, and has 8 river cruise vessels under construction. River cruising is destination oriented and the two ocean going vessels will similarly be designed with destination cruising in mind.
"We are proud to have been selected by Viking to build their new series of ships and delighted to contribute to their expansion into a new market" says Jacques Hardelay, General Manager of STX France.
STX France SA is part of STX Europe AS, an international shipbuilding group which aims to be the leading builder of cruise vessels, ferries and other specialized vessels. STX Europe AS is also the majority shareholder in STX OSV Holdings Limited listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). The group has a strong position in terms of developing state-of-the-art concepts, technology, processes and products for customers around the world. STX Europe comprises 6 shipyards in Finland, France and Norway in addition to 9 shipyards belonging to STX OSV Holdings Limited. STX Europe has STX Europe Group has approximately 14,000 employees.
STX Europe's principal shareholder, the international industrial group STX, has approximately 54 000 employees and aims to be a global top player in its core areas; shipping and trade, shipbuilding and machineries, plant and construction, and energy.
The vessels will be operated primarily on the Mediterranean seas and be dedicated mainly to Viking's US, British and Australian customers.
The vessels will have a length of 230m and a width of 26.5m. They will each include 888 passengers in 444 cabins with a complement of 444 crew members.
The contract will represent about 2.5 million man-hours. Construction is expected to start in mid-September 2012 for the first vessel and in mid-September 2013 for the second vessel. The contract is subject to financing.
Well known as the world's leading river cruise company Viking ranks as an upscale owner. Viking River Cruise currently operates a fleet of 23 river vessels, and has 8 river cruise vessels under construction. River cruising is destination oriented and the two ocean going vessels will similarly be designed with destination cruising in mind.
"We are proud to have been selected by Viking to build their new series of ships and delighted to contribute to their expansion into a new market" says Jacques Hardelay, General Manager of STX France.
STX France SA is part of STX Europe AS, an international shipbuilding group which aims to be the leading builder of cruise vessels, ferries and other specialized vessels. STX Europe AS is also the majority shareholder in STX OSV Holdings Limited listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). The group has a strong position in terms of developing state-of-the-art concepts, technology, processes and products for customers around the world. STX Europe comprises 6 shipyards in Finland, France and Norway in addition to 9 shipyards belonging to STX OSV Holdings Limited. STX Europe has STX Europe Group has approximately 14,000 employees.
STX Europe's principal shareholder, the international industrial group STX, has approximately 54 000 employees and aims to be a global top player in its core areas; shipping and trade, shipbuilding and machineries, plant and construction, and energy.