MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique have unveiled two newbuilding projects after signing firm contracrs to build the third and fourth MSC World class vessels.
“First, the companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of yet a new prototype class of LNG-powered cruise ships to operate under the MSC Cruises brand,” the Geneva based cruise company said in a statement.
For this project, MSC Cruises, Chantiers de l’Atlantique and other partners will focus on developing emerging environmental technologies in line in particular with IMO’s vision for 2030 and 2050. “The four vessels in this new class would represent a capital investment exceeding €4 billion and an extra 30 million working hours for the yard, the suppliers and subcontractors involved in the project,” MSC Cruises said.
A second MoU covers joint development of yet another innovative prototype ship class concept with which the two companies will explore opportunities that wind power and other advanced technologies could bring to passenger shipping.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises, said: “The three agreements signed today extend our investment plan up to 2030. They stem from an exceptional partnership, with Chantiers, that has already delivered 15 highly-innovative innovative cruise ships over the past two decades and will see many more vessels come to life at Saint-Nazaire’s docks in the next ten years. They also confirm that this industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability, in this case helping the French national industry further position itself as a world leader in the development of next- generation technologies and other solutions.”
Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, said: “We are really proud and happy to have built such an outstanding relationship with MSC Cruises, based on mutual trust and driven by the spirit of innovation. We are both committed to shaping the cruise of tomorrow and to developing ship concepts which go far beyond the existing environmental standards. Our companies have already been working together for twenty years and these new projects allow us to look enthusiastically to the future.”
