Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has signed contracts with Swiss cruise line Viking for the construction of two cruise vessels. These vessels will be based on the features of the previous ships Fincantieri has built for Viking. The vessels have expected delivery dates of 2028 and 2029. The value of this agreement, subject to financing and other terms and conditions, is between $535 million and $1.07 billion.
The companies state the new ships will be built according to the latest environmental rules and navigation regulations and will be equipped with the most modern safety systems.
Fincantieri and Viking plan cooperate on the development of eco-friendly fuels and of sustainable zero-emission power generation systems for both vessels. Weighing about 54,300 tons, both cruise ships will be placed in the small cruise ship segment, accommodating 998 passengers in 499 cabins.
The joint statement reiterates the cruise market’s full recovery and its strong momentum with this contract, “with passenger volumes returned to pre-pandemic level and positive effects on Fincantieri’s solid commercial pipeline, as evidenced by other significant orders signed by the Group earlier this year.”
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri, commented, “This order further cements our relationship with Viking and establishes Fincantieri as the partner of choice for ship owners looking to build vessels fit for both current and future energy sources. Together, Fincantieri and Viking are leading the shipping industry in the path to net zero. With this contract, Fincantieri confirms its strong order pipeline and its reputation as a long-term partner of excellence within the cruise sector, as stated in our 2023-27 Industrial Plan”.
Fincantieri and Viking have collaborated on 20 vessels, dating back to 2012.
