Fincantieri is set to sign more newbuilding contracts for the Chinese market this week during the visit of Italian president Sergio Mattarella to the country.
A deal is expected to be announced soon from the Italian shipbuilder and its partners China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), Carnival Corp and CIC Capital, Bloomberg reported.
It is thought the ships will be built in China and deployed to the booming Chinese cruise market.
Fincantieri won its first order for two Chinese cruiseships last September, in cooperation with CSSC and Carnival.
This was only two months after the companies established a new joint venture (JV) in China.
Reports over a new Chinese newbuilding deal for Fincantieri come hot on the heels of a mammoth order for up to six ships by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), valued at EUR 4.8bn ($5.1bn).
The Italian shipbuilder is also building vessels for all the big cruiseship players, including Carnival and Virgin Voyages.
Shares in Fincantieri were gaining a little more than 1% earlier today, changing hands at EUR 0.59 each.
Comment has been sought from the company.
