Fincantieri and Viking have signed an agreement for another six ships, which will bring the total number of units built in partnership by the two companies to a total of 16, extending the horizon of the collaboration until 2027. The announcement was made on the occasion of Seatrade Cruise Global, the most important annual event in the cruise sector taking place in Fort Lauderdale in the USA. The six new ships will be delivered in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
“We are proud to have trusted a start-up that has achieved such success – commented Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri – In fact, in 2012, the collaboration between us and this prestigious shipowner started with two ships, and today we have arrived even 16 units. This is an absolute record, the largest number of ships for a shipyard on behalf of a single shipowner, which makes Viking, already the first operator in the river cruise sector, a leader also in that of small ships destined for ocean cruises”.
But it's not over. Vard, the Norwegian subsidiary of Fincantieri active in the design and construction of special vessels, has signed the contract for the design and construction of two additional small luxury cruise ships for the French shipowner Ponant, a subsidiary of the Artemis group (holding company of the Pinault family), with deliveries expected respectively in the first and second quarters of 2020.
The units, according to a note, will be twins of those ordered in 2016. The ships will be built by the Vard group production network, and will have a length of approximately 131 metres, a width of 18 and a gross tonnage of approximately 10.000 tons. They will be able to reach a speed of 15 knots and accommodate 180 passengers (in 92 cabins, all with balconies).
