CMA CGM has signed a memorandum of understanding for two cruise ships at Fincanteiri, the French operator said today. The twin ships would be 140m in length and have 130 cabins. CMA CGM said the both ships would have a dynamic positioning system to ensure that no environmental damage was done to seabeds during port manoeuvres. A CMA CGM spokesman today declined to disclose the contract price for the ships, saying the agreed price was “highly sensitive” in the ship yard market.
The MOU is not, however, the same as a firm order – for example, the MOU signed by Four Seasons and Canyon Ranch had MOUs to build ships at Aker several years ago never came to fruition. However, given that both operator and builder are serious players in the cruise market, and that delivery is flagged as soon as 2010, the prospects look good.
Both ships will be flagged in France and operated by CMA CGM subsidiary Compagnie de iIes du Ponant. “The order confirms CMA CGM’s will to consolidate Compagnie de Iles du Ponant’s position in top of the range cruise market,” CMA CGM said. Compagnie de Iles du Ponant’s cruise business generated €36M ($52M) during 2007. The company will continue to offer sailings to smaller ports in lesser known areas of the world, CMA CGM said.
The MOU is not, however, the same as a firm order – for example, the MOU signed by Four Seasons and Canyon Ranch had MOUs to build ships at Aker several years ago never came to fruition. However, given that both operator and builder are serious players in the cruise market, and that delivery is flagged as soon as 2010, the prospects look good.
Both ships will be flagged in France and operated by CMA CGM subsidiary Compagnie de iIes du Ponant. “The order confirms CMA CGM’s will to consolidate Compagnie de Iles du Ponant’s position in top of the range cruise market,” CMA CGM said. Compagnie de Iles du Ponant’s cruise business generated €36M ($52M) during 2007. The company will continue to offer sailings to smaller ports in lesser known areas of the world, CMA CGM said.