MSC Cruises orders LNG pair, signals new designs at Chantiers de l’Atlantique
MSC Cruises has ordered two large LNG-powered ships at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a deal worth €2bn, according to the Elysée Palace in Paris.
World class
The 6,761-passenger ships (each with 5,264 lower berths) will be delivered in 2025 and 2027.
These are the firmed pair of options for the 205,700gt World class, whose first, MSC Europa, is due in 2022, followed by a sister in 2024.
These contracts represent a capital investment by MSC Cruises exceeding €2bn and are expected to generate 14 million additional working hours, amounting to over 2,400 full-time equivalent jobs for the next three and a half years directly supported by those orders.
MOU for €4.5bn of additional ships
This firm order is accompanied by two memoranda of understanding, potentially worth €4.5bn in additional investments.
New LNG design and a partly sail-powered ship
These MOU would entail a new LNG class of four ships and a prototype for a vessel partly powered by sails.
Elysée Palace issued the news on the eve of the ‘Choose France’ summit Monday in Versailles. According to the Elysée, the two 6,761-passenger ships will generate 14m work hours, corresponding to 2,400 jobs over 3.5 years.
Meeting with the French prime minister
MSC Cruises founder Gianluigi Aponte and Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago were scheduled to meet with French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe and Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire on Monday.
Fifteen MSC ships have been built at Saint-Nazaire.
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