MSC signs deals for new vessels and invests in wind power

MSC Cruises has confirmed it will build a third and fourth World-class ship as well as embark on two new additional newbuild projects that will focus on next generation technologies, such as wind power.

The contracts, which were signed with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, are worth well in excess of €12bn.

The latest World-class ships will be delivered in 2025 and 2027. The first is due to be delivered in 2022. When delivered it will be the biggest ship build by a European cruise line and the first LNG ship built in France.

In addition to the World-class newbuilds, MSC signed contracts for two new projects – one of which will focus on a new class of LNG ship but the other will look into new technologies, such as wind.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, said: “The three agreements signed today extend our investment plan up to 2030. They stem from an exceptional partnership, with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, 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 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.”

The signing ceremony was attended by Édouard Philippe, Prime Minister of France; Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group’s Founder and Executive Chairman; Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman; and, Laurent Castaing, Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s General Manager.

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 current environmental standards. Our companies have already been working together for twenty years and these new projects allow us to look enthusiastically to the future.”