Meyer Werft, the privately owned German shipbuilder that signed a strategic agreement with Carnival Corp & plc, the world's largest cruise shipping group today, will share the four ships allocated to it between its yards in Papenburg, Germany and Turku, Finland.

"Meyer Werft, a leading global shipbuilder founded in Germany in 1795, will build its four ships at its shipyards in Papenburg, Germany, and Turku, Finland," Carnival said in a statement.

Two of the ships would be built at the Meyer Turku Shipyard, Jan Vapaavuri, minister of employment and the economy in the Finnish government told the Turun Sanomat daily. Consequently, the other two ships would be built in Papenburg.

Meyer acquired a 70% stake in the yard last year, with the Finnish government holding the remaining 30%. Previously owned by the troubled STX Offshore & Shipbuilding group of South Korea, the yard was near closure due to shortage of work.

However, the new owners made it possible for TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market line, to add two firm orders and two options for 99,300 gross ton cruise liners to the yard's orderbook. The second of two similar vessels that had been ordered earlier will enter service in the summer.

Carnival grpup signed a memorandum of understanding to build nine ships, with options for more, with two shipyards today. Meyer Werft was allocated four and Fincantieri in Italy five of the vessels.