By
Rebecca Gibson |
STX France has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to build two new prototype cruise vessels for MSC Cruises during a press conference in Paris on 20 March.
Offering an option to construct two more additional vessels in the future, the contract encompasses a total of 16 million working hours for STX France and its subcontractors. It is estimated that nine million hours will be spent working on the prototype, while seven million will be spent on the second unit.
Expanding MSC’s current capacity by 31%, the two prototype vessels will bring the lines fleet up to 14, when they are delivered in 2017 and 2019. The 167,600 gt ships will measure 315 metres in length and 43 metres in width and will feature 2,250 guest cabins and nearly 820 crew cabins. This will enable the vessels to accommodate 5,700 passengers and 1,536 crew members. Other new features include specially designed cabins for families and an extended MSC Yacht Club complex, which will have a large solarium, a private lounge and restaurant and duplex suites.
“The new prototype will be the biggest cruise ship ever built by a European shipowner and the most versatile and flexible of the world. Not only will it be able to call in most of the ports and destinations on earth, without compromise, it will also have extraordinary features that will make it the perfect choice at sea, in summer and in winter,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. “The two new ships will reaffirm MSC Cruise’s dedication to outstanding and genuine dining options and out-of-this-world entertainment with new panoramic spaces, a bigger theatre and a spectacular amusement park connected to an outdoor aqua park as well as a two-deck inside promenade.”
Developed as part of STX’s Ecorizon programme – which aims to create new generation ships that are cleaner, more efficient and more technologically based – MSC’s vessels will feature an optimised hull and propulsion system to improve energy efficiency and eliminate water emissions. Gas exhaust cleaning systems, commonly known as scrubbers, will enable the ships to neutralise fumes and carbon dioxide emissions in accordance with the latest international maritime regulations.
“Growth and development have always been the characteristics that have defined MSC since the very beginning of our journey into the world of cruising,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, the line’s executive chairman. “The launch of this prototype and the building of these two new ships confirm our commitment to further growth and to further development. We will enrich our onboard offers and we will broaden our horizons to ensure we meet the growing global demand in every region.”
The contract will become binding when the finances have been secured and construction is due to start in spring 2015.