MSC Cruises has ordered a fifth LNG-powered Meraviglia-class cruiseship in a deal with STX France.
The EUR 900m ($1.03bn), 183,500-gt vessel will be delivered in 2023 with dual-fuel engines and an advanced wastewater treatment system compliant with the world’s most stringent regulatory standards.
The deal was announced at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard in the presence of Bruno Le Maire, the French minister of the economy and finance.
The ceremony marked steel cutting on the fourth Meraviglia vessel called MSC Virtuosa.
"For the first time in Saint-Nazaire’s history, three cruiseships belonging to a single cruise brand are under simultaneous construction at the shipyard," MSC Cruises said.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ executive chairman, added: “With the announcement of yet another new vessel, the thirteenth under our 10-year investment plan, we are affirming our commitment to sustainable growth for our company.
“Our fifth Meraviglia-class cruiseship will bring a new generation of cutting-edge environmental technology to the market, benefiting from a new generation of LNG-powered engines.
"This will help us further reduce our environmental footprint and advance in our journey of constant improvement."
