MSC and Fincantieri today announced the final signing of their contract for the construction of four luxury ships.
Pierfrancesco Vago, President of MSC Cruises, said: “With this firm order, MSC is entering a new segment with significant global potential. While we already serve the premium market with MSC Yacht Club aboard the MSC Cruises fleet, our new luxury brand will cater to this separate and rapidly growing segment with superyachts and an experience to match. Furthermore, we are proud to partner once again with Fincantieri for the development and construction of another class of highly innovative and exclusive ships.”
Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, commented: “This announcement confirms our Group’s ability and strength in converting a preliminary order into a firm one. We are proud to have achieved this goal in less than five months since the initial agreement. Fincantieri’s reputation in the complex cruise market is at an all-time high. Our leadership in the luxury segment, one of the most dynamic, is further strengthened by these four ships, along with our relationship with MSC and its growth plans.”
The four ships will have an approximate gross tonnage of 64,000 and will feature the latest maritime and environmental technologies. Each will be equipped with 481 suites, boasting a highly innovative design and revolutionary options for passenger comfort and relaxation.
This announcement follows the initial signing of an agreement between the two parties in October 2018. The contracts, subject to financing from the ship's owner, have a total value of more than 2 billion euros.
Under the terms of the agreement, the first of the four ships will be delivered in the spring of 2023. The other three will enter service one per year until 2026.
MSC is the cruise division of the MSC Group, the world's second-largest shipping and logistics company. The new brand will operate under this umbrella, as will MSC's existing brand, MSC Cruises, the leading cruise company in Europe, South America, the Persian Gulf, and South Africa.
Fincantieri is heir to the great tradition of Italian shipbuilding and one of the world's largest shipbuilding groups.
Since beginning its partnership with Fincantieri in 2014, MSC has ordered four ships for its current MSC Cruises brand, valued at €3.2 billion. The first two, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview, are already in service. The next two will be delivered in 2021 and 2022, with MSC Seashore already under construction at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone.
