MSC Cruises Plans to Build Four New Ships

Last week MSC Cruises announced that it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with STX France for the construction of up to four new LNG-powered cruise ships that will be more than 200,000 GRT. The four ships, the first one of which will be delivered in 2022, will be based on a new advanced next-generation prototype and will form what will be known as the “World Class” of MSC Cruises’ ships. The announcement was made at the Élysée Palace in the presence of the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, as well as MSC Group’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Gianluigi Aponte, and STX France’s CEO Laurent Castaing.

MSC Cruises is the first cruise line brand to develop an investment plan of this length and magnitude, spanning a horizon of more than ten years—from 2014 through 2026—and introducing a total of up to eleven next-generation ships. The new orders would reflect an additional nearly $4.5 billion investment, which will bring the total value of the Company’s 10-plus years investment plan to nearly $10.2 billion.

“In yet another industry-first, the new MSC Cruises’ World Class prototype will feature—amongst other highly innovative elements—a record-breaking, futuristically-conceived design that will make the ship a truly unique place to be at sea, whilst maximizing the open air space available to guests,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman.

The four ships provided under the LOI—two firm orders and two further options—will be delivered in 2022, 2024, 2025 and in 2026. They will feature a GRT in excess of 200,000 tons, more than 2,700 staterooms and approx. 5,400 lower berths occupancy capacity.

MSC Cruises’ investment plan includes orders with STX France for two Meraviglia and two further Meraviglia-Plus Class ships as well as orders with Fincantieri in Italy for up to three next-generation Seaside Class ships. Additionally, the plan encompassed the $227 million Renaissance Program, in which four ships out of 12 of the Company’s fleet, already the most modern at sea, were enhanced and enlarged at the Fincantieri shipyards.

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