MSC Cruiseshas announced the signing of a letter of intent with STX France for the construction of up to four new ships, each displacing 200,000 tons and powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas). The four ships, the first of which could be delivered in 2022, will be based on a new and improved state-of-the-art prototype and will form what will be known as MSC Cruises' "World Class" fleet.
The announcement was made at the Élysée Palace, in the presence of the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, as well as the Founder and Executive Chairman of the MSC Group, Gianluigi Aponte, and the CEO of STX France, Laurent Castaing.
MSC Cruises is the first cruise line to develop an investment plan of such duration and magnitude, covering a horizon of more than 10 years, from its inception in 2014 until 2026, with a total of 11 state-of-the-art ships.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, stated: “Today’s announcement demonstrates that the industry presents significant opportunities for growth and advancement for our brand and product. Our investment plan of more than 10 years now encompasses 11 new ships, which will enter service between 2017 and 2026. This reflects our commitment to innovation, as the partnership with STX France to design yet another new prototype will be the sixth in our history.” Indeed, and as another industry first, the new MSC Cruises “World Class” prototype will feature – among other highly innovative elements – a futuristic design that will make the ship a truly unique place to sail, while maximizing the outdoor space available to guests.”.
Vago added: “Our long-term focus on innovation will make the new prototype unlike anything currently in the cruise industry. It will offer the most amenities and entertainment for guests, for families, children, and adults alike; it will feature cutting-edge design and state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly technology through its LNG propulsion engines. Furthermore, it will be a ship suitable for all seasons and all regions.”
Laurent Castaing, CEO of STX France, commented: “We have just signed an unprecedented agreement with MSC Cruises that will give us a glimpse into our industrial capacity for the next ten years! We have had a good relationship with MSC Cruises for many years, and this new agreement strengthens it even further. We have already designed four different classes for MSC Cruises – Opera, Musica, Fantasia, and Meraviglia – each with four ships, and now we are working together on this new generation of “World Class” ships. By 2026, we will have a total of 20 ships designed and built by STX France in Saint-Nazaire.”.
Mr. Castaing added: “MSC Cruises has been expanding its global presence and its fleet of state-of-the-art ships that combine cutting-edge technology, unparalleled comfort and entertainment with minimal environmental impact. To achieve this next stage of growth, MSC Cruises has selected STX France for our unparalleled engineering and production capabilities as part of a long-term partnership – a decision I naturally welcome.”.
The four ships specified in the letter of intent—two firm orders and two options—will be delivered in 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively. They will have a cargo displacement of 200,000 tons and will feature 2,700 cabins, with a capacity for approximately 5,400 berths.
MSC Cruises' investment plan includes orders for two Meraviglia ships and two more Meraviglia Plus ships from STX France, as well as from Fincantieri in Italy, for a maximum of three ships of the new Seaside generation.
