Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri signed with an international customer a contract for the building of a new ultra-luxury cruise ship, scheduled for delivery in 2025-Q4.
The order, which includes the option for 2 additional units, amounts to ~EUR 1,2 billion.
The contract is to be subject to access to financing, as per cruise industry practice.
The company has not been named.
In May 2022, Italian media reports linked Fincantieri with NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line for ordering 6 newbuilds. A contract under discussion was reputed to be worth US$4 billion.
Earlier in July 2022, MSC-Mediterranean Shipping Co (the world's largest container carrier) expanded its series of MSC Explora Journeys ships at Fincantieri to 6x units in a deal that also includes hydrogen-powered vessels. MSC said it had signed a contract for ships V and VI. They will use LNG as the main fuel, but will also be powered by green hydrogen in order to bring in-port emissions down to zero.
Update: In 2023 was revealed that the order with Fincantiery was placed by the joint venture company Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd which owns and operates the new cruise brand Four Seasons Yachts.