Vard Holdings Limited, which is controlled ny the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, has signed a Letter of Intent for the design and construction of two special cruise vessels for Viking Ocean Cruises, with an option for two more vessels. “The ships, with deliveries scheduled in Norway in 2Q 2021 and 2Q 2022 respectively, will be the first that Vard will build for this ship owner,” Vard said in a statement.

The potential contract value for two vessels is expected to be approximately NOK4.5 billion, equal to more than €460 million. The parties have a common intention to enter into final contract by mid-2018.

“The project, totally innovative, will be developed by Vard Design in close cooperation with the customer, according to the highest safety and reduction of the environmental impact standards, drivers which have increasingly greater weight also in the cruise sector.” Vard said, but did not provide further details.