MSC Cruises and Fincantieri have signed a contract for the construction of two new cruise ships with an option for one vessel, the Italian shipbuilder said in a press release.
The new ship"Seaside" will be the largest cruise ship ever built by Fincantieri shipyard and will present cutting-edge features and is unique in the world's shipbuilding industry.
The agreement was signed on May 22 in the presence of the two companies officials: MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO Gianni Onorato and FIncantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono.
Two new ships will cost EUR 700 million each. The construction will be financed with insurance and financial support of SACE.
The first and second vessels delivery is scheduled for November 2017 and May 2018, accordingly.
Ship characteristics: LOA - 323 meters, beam - 41 m, height - 70 m, gross tonnage - 154,000 tonnes, accommodation for nearly 5,200 passengers plus 1,413 crew members. The ship will have 2,070 guest cabins, 759 crew members and 43,500 sqm of public areas. Innovative in design and versatility, the new ships will be able to dock in any port around the world.
The Seaside prototype presents unique features such as a sea-level promenade that circumnavigates the sides of the ship with outdoor spaces, shops and restaurants. In addition, Seaside will also feature a splendid and spacious theatre, a terraced balcony and panoramic lifts with sea views. Furthermore, the ship will boast numerous technological innovations that will, among other things, further reduce fuel consumption by 25% and advanced safety systems that go beyond what is required by international regulation.
Trieste, Italy based Fincantieri (Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A.) is an Italian shipbuilding group formed in 1959 and owned by the Italian state through Fintecna is the largest shipbuilder in Europe. After the acquisition of Vard in 2008 the Fincantieri Group became the fourth largest in the world. The company specializes in building cruise ships and large ferries, offshore and mega yachts, and a wide range of naval ships including frigates, corvettes, patrol vessels and submarines.