By
Rebecca Gibson |
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri installed a new 24m pre-built section in the mid-section of MSC Cruises’ MSC Armonia on 10 September at its Palermo yard.
Watched by invited members of the press, Fincantieri separated MSC Armonia’s 14,000 tonne bow around 30m away from her stern, before inserting the mid-ship section, which comprises a total of 194 passenger cabins. Fincantieri, which built the 2,200 tonne section in May, began steel-cutting operations on 2 September to mark the cutting line and deactivated the ship’s electrical systems on 3 September.
“MSC Cruises wanted to implement such a highly demanding programme for a long time, but we wanted to ensure that we chose the best partner in the shipbuilding industry, to not only enhance the ships’ features, but also to bring technical, safety and environmental upgrades to the ships,” said Emilio La Scala, general manager of MSC Cruises’ technical department. “Fincantieri has the proven expertise and experience in this type of operation, which was essential to satisfy our high standards, and has been a long-standing partner for various maintenance and refitting operations on our fleet.”
MSC Armonia is the first of four Lirica-class ships to undergo renovations as part the line’s €200 million Renaissance Programme. The vessel will remain in drydock for 11 weeks, where she will be fitted with a new Mini Club and Young Club for children, a Teens Club and additional areas for the Baby Club, which were built in partnership with Chicco. The vessel will also offer a library and a refreshed spray park area, which includes a pathway of water features and water cannons.
Meanwhile, the operator has enhanced onboard services for its passengers. The buffet will be open for 20 hours per day, offering improved features, a new lounge area and an extended restaurant.
To reduce her environmental impact, MSC Armonia will be fitted with a variable speed drive inverter, which will adjust the ship’s energy consumption according to operational conditions, and LED technology in all public areas. The ship will also receive a new hull treatment to minimise drag and lower water resistance, which will reduce fuel consumption. MSC is also working with a blade manufacturer to design a new, energy-efficient propeller.
MSC Armonia will resume service on 17 November with an inaugural Mediterranean cruise from Genoa to the Canary Islands.
Built between 2003 and 2005 at the STX France shipyards in Saint-Nazaire, MSC’s four Lirica-class ships will be 275m long, weigh 65,000gt and carry up to 2,680 travellers each after the Renaissance programme is completed in 2015.
Next year, MSC Sinfonia will enter drydock from 12 January to 16 March, while MSC Opera will undergo renovations from 2 May to 4 July. MSC Lirica will be renovated between 31 August and 9 November 2015.