Holland America Line cuts steel on Nieuw Statendam

Holland America Line has cut the first steel on Nieuw Statendam, due for delivery in November 2018.

The ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, and the block being built there will later be moved to the Marghera yard where the ship will be constructed.

The 99,500-tonne ship is the second Pinnacle Class vessel for Holland America Line, joining sister-ship Koningsdam, which sailed its first cruise in April 2016.

The steel cutting follows a period of design and development for the 2,650-guest ship that will feature enhanced Pinnacle Class amenities and innovations.

Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president, said, “This is an exciting time for Holland America Line, and Nieuw Statendam’s steel cutting is a milestone that signifies our continued growth and evolution as a company and a brand.

“With Pinnacle Class we have been able to try new things, expand our horizons and push boundaries, and while Nieuw Statendam is a sister to Koningsdam, we do have some new ideas that will be revealed in time.”

This is the 16th ship built for Holland America Line by Italian shipyard Fincantieri, which most recently constructed Koningsdam.