This updates the terms of last September's non-binding agreement to construct 133,500gt ships at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. and increases the options from two to four.
The deal, subject to several conditions, is valued at approximately $1.5bn for the first two ships. The first delivery is now expected in 2023, not 2022.
The ships will be built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a CSSC Group facility. Their design will be tailored for Chinese travelers and for the new Chinese cruise brand of the joint venture among Carnival Corp., CSSC and CIC Capital, which will also operate the vessels.
The agreement—which is being called 'historic'—was signed by Costa Group/Carnival Asia ceo Michael Thamm, Fincantieri ceo Giuseppe Bono and CSSC president Wu Qiang Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The occasion was the Fourth Italy-China Business Forum, attended by Italy President Sergio Mattarella and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
'We are proud to be able to order the first China-built cruise ships and play a leadership role in developing cruise shipbuilding capabilities for the first time in China,' said Arnold Donald, president and ceo, Carnival Corp. & plc. He called the deal 'another important milestone in building a sustainable and prosperous cruise industry,' and said it demonstrates Carnival's commitment to helping China become a leading cruise market as part of its five-year economic development plan.
For his part, Fincantieri ceo Giuseppe Bono said having a global outlook helps further boost business prospects and access to more complex markets. He said the agreement reaffirms Fincantieri's cruise leadership while also creating a mutually beneficial relationship between Italy and China.
