Italy’s Fincantieri has entered into a binding Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and Carnival Corporation & plc for the construction of two cruise ships, with an option for additional four vessels.
The deal , subject to several conditions, has a value of around USD 1.5 billion for the first two ships, which will be built for the Chinese market at the SWS yard, a facility of CSSC Group. The first delivery is expected in 2023.
“We are proud to be able to order the first China-built cruise ships and play a leadership role in developing cruise shipbuilding capabilities for the first time in China, which represents another important milestone in building a sustainable and prosperous cruise industry, and demonstrates our commitment to helping China become a leading cruise market as part of its five-year economic development plan,” Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, said.
The deal comes on the back of a joint venture agreed between Fincantieri and China’s shipbuilding conglomerate CSSC aimed at developing and supporting the growth of the Chinese cruise industry.
The joint venture was set up to design and sell cruise ships intended and customized for the Chinese and Asian markets.