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Milani leads Ritz-Carlton newbuilding since Clasen's exit

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Luca Milani, a seasoned newbuild professional with experience from V.Ships Leisure and Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding, is heading The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's ship construction as project manager.

Milani is based at Astillero Hijos de J. Barreras in Vigo, Spain, where the keel-laying is scheduled next week. He reports directly to Doug Prothero, managing director of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, based in Coconut Grove (Miami), Florida.

Hamburg-based Lars Clasen left his position as joint managing director in November. He had been overseeing marine operations, technical and newbuild.

Milani, who was newbuilding manager for V.Ships Leisure in Monaco the past two years, was involved in the construction of Silversea Cruises' Silver Muse.

Before that, he worked at Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding for nearly 14 years in various roles. As project manager, he was responsible for Costa Crociere's newbuilds at Fincantieri, including 2014's Costa Diadema, 2012's Costa Fascinosa and 2011's Costa Favolosa. Earlier, as building manager, he was involved in the construction of Carnival Splendor and Costa Pacifica. Before that he worked as a quality inspector.

In addition, a couple years were spent with Costa as a warranty engineer working with Fincantieri in connection with Costa Fortuna and Costa Magica.

Prothero said The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection thanked Clasen for the contribution he'd made to the business and wished him well for the future.

The two had worked together since 2013 to create the 'cruise yacht' concept that materialized in 2017 as The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, with Oaktree Capital Management as an equity investor.

Before that Clasen had run A'ROSA and earlier headed Seetours (the parent of AIDA Cruises), including when it was a subsidiary of Carnival Corp. & plc.