In a new sign of renewed confidence in the cruise ship sector, Fincantieri received a new cruise ship order which the Italian shipbuilder is valuing in approximately euro 1. 2 billion ($1. 2 billion). In addition to being one of only a small number of cruise ship orders placed since 2019, speculation is focusing on a brand new entrant into the cruise industry.
Fincantieri reported in a brief announcement today that it has signed a new contract with an “international customer, ” without providing additional details on the company placing the order. The shipyard announced the order was for “a brand new ultra-luxury cruise ship. ” The vessel is due for delivery at the end of 2025 and the shipyard highlighted that the contract also includes options with regard to two additional vessels. Finalizing the contract is subject to access to financing, which is typically how orders are placed in the particular industry.
The price of the new cruise ship is also seen as a clue to the order. At $1. 2 billion it is significantly higher than the recent purchase from MSC for two luxurious cruise boats for their new Explora brand. It is furthermore greater than the particular price Virgin Voyages is believed to be paying for each of its four cruise ships being built by Fincantieri.
With the identity of the shipowner not revealed rumours is focusing on possibly one associated with the hotel brands ordering the ships as their own entry in to luxury cruising. Ritz Carlton, for example , agreed to use its brand to launch yacht-style luxury cruise ships and after numerous delays is finally due in order to start sailing in the coming weeks along with the first of two cruise liners being built in Spain. The group working with Ritz to launch the particular cruise line also recently ordered two extra cruise ships from Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
Since 2019, there have just been the few new cruise boats ordered along with the focus being on smaller, high-class vessels. Japan’s NYK made the first fresh order with Meyer Werft for a single, smaller ship for its Japanese luxury cruise operations. Beyond MSC’s two additional ships for its Explora brand and Ritz Carlton’s ships, there has been speculation of possible activity but so far, the large brands with their particular brands focused on the particular contemporary market segment are instead proceeding only with their existing purchases.
Fincantieri has been ramping up its cruise liner construction activity after agreeing in 2020 to reschedule deliveries for many of the brands. The particular Italian shipbuilder before today’s announcement had 30 cruise trip ships upon order after delivering one cruise ship within the first three months of 2022. They also recently delivered a cruise dispatch to Viking while two other Viking newbuilds have been floated out up to now in 2022. They also recently sailed the 1st of 2 new luxury cruise boats for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ Oceania brand and a few weeks ago began construction on the very first LNG-powered cruise trip ships for the company becoming built regarding Germany’s TUI Cruises.
Currently, they are usually scheduled in order to deliver a total of seven cruise ships in all 2022, and then six per year intended for the next three years. The sail ship orderbook begins to decline with currently 4 ships scheduled for shipping in 2026 and only two beyond those deliveries.
In the spring there were rumored talks between Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Fincantieri for large new cruise liners and there is also speculation that will Royal Caribbean is planning new orders as work has now begun on its current large sail ships upon order. MSC is preparing for the release of the new larger cruise ships while Carnival Corporation has taken the more measured approach along with fewer great cruise boats currently on order, especially for its largest manufacturers in the particular contemporary marketplace segments.