The steel cutting of the first of two LNG powered ships for TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, took place in San Giorgio di Nogaro (Udine) at Centro Servizi Navali, a company specialised in logistics and production of sheet metal for the Fincantieri yards located in northeastern Italy.

The 160,000 gross ton vessels will be built at the Monfalcone shipyard and delivered in 2024 and in 2026, respectively and they will operate under TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff brand. The two ships are the first newbuildings the German company has contracted at the Italian shipbuilder.

“The order is based on a prototype project developed by Fincantieri which enhances the well-established features of modernity and sustainability of TUI Cruises, a company with one of the most modern and environmentally friendly cruise fleets in the world. With an innovative product configuration, energy efficiency lies at the heart of the project, with the twofold objective of reducing fuel consumption and minimizing environmental impact, according to the latest industry regulations,” Fincantieri said in a statement.

Fincantieri is also studying the possibility to make the ships operate in the future with low-emission biofuels – an important step towards climate-neutral cruising.

They will also be equipped with improved catalytic converters (compliant with the Euro 6 standard) and a shore power connection. “This ensures almost emission-free ship operation while in port (about 40% of operating time). Finally, the ships will be equipped with an even more efficient and innovative waste treatment system that can shred organic waste by means of thermal treatment,” Fincantieri said.