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Number of firm LNG cruise newbuilds climbs to 19

PHOTO: AIDA Cruises
AIDAnova was floated out at Meyer Werft in May and is due to become the first cruise ship using LNG for propulsion upon its delivery in November
With today's order of two LNG-powered ships by TUI Cruises, the number of firmly contracted cruise newbuilds that will use liquefied natural gas for propulsion climbs to 19.

Nine in Carnival Corp. & plc group

Besides the TUI pair, they include nine newbuilds in the Carnival Corp. & plc group (three for AIDA Cruises, and two each for Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line).

Plus MSC, Disney, Royal Caribbean

MSC Cruises' fifth Meraviglia-class ship will use LNG, along with its two World Class newbuilds, as will Disney Cruise Line's trio of new ships and Royal Caribbean International's two Icon-class vessels.

Of these, the first in service will be AIDAnova, scheduled for delivery in November.

Options for further newbuilds—for example, MSC has options for two additional World Class ships—are likely to increase the number of LNG vessels within this group of owners.

And who knows which other operators may opt for LNG?