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TUI Cruises goes bigger with a pair of LNG newbuilds at Fincantieri

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The newbuilds are a 'logical continuation of our environmental strategy,' said Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises
Fincantieri won an order for two new-concept, LNG-powered ships from TUI Cruises. They'll be the biggest vessels ever built in Italy and are the first LNG-powered ships for the TUI brand.

Size leap to 161,000gt

At 161,000gt, the newbuilds represent a considerable size leap for TUI Cruises, a new customer for Fincantieri. The ships will be built at Monfalcone yard and delivered in 2024 and 2026. The price and, at this stage, the berth count were not disclosed.

With this, the Mein Schiff fleet will grow to nine by 2026, expanding the brand's strong and dynamic position in the German market. These ships will form the backbone for TUI Cruises' future fleet.

The design is based on a prototype developed by Fincantieri that enhances the well-established features of modernity and sustainability that characterize TUI Cruises, a company with one of the world's most modern and environmentally friendly fleets.

'With the new class of ships we are responding to the wishes of our guests and creating offerings that will also inspire new cruise passengers. As with the other ships in the fleet, the passenger/space ratio remains generous,' said Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises. 'The decision to run the two additional low-emission newbuilds is a logical continuation of our environmental strategy.'

Vessel details will be announced later.

Largest ships ever built in Italy

Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono noted these will be the biggest ships ever built in Italy.

'The project we developed and offered to the client allowed us to achieve this outstanding commercial record, which is not just about adding a new brand to our client portfolio, but also a confirmation of the absolutely cutting-edge technological content of our products,' Bono said. 'All of these factors consolidate our leadership in the field and further extend the workload horizon of our shipyards, which has no comparables in any other industrial sector.'

Two more ships still to come from Meyer Turku

TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., will also introduce two new ships in 2019 and 2023. Those 111,500gt newbuilds each have 2,894 lower berths and are being built at Meyer Turku.