MSC Cruises has signed a letter of intent for four new ships.
The deal has been signed with the STX France shipyard for up to four new ‘next-generation’ vessels.
The first of the new class, known as the World Class, will be delivered in 2022, followed by launches in 2024, 2025 and 2026. They will have 2,700 cabins, for 5,400 passenger ships.
The announcement takes the number of MSC ships on order to 11 and the new orders reflect an additional investment by MSC Cruises of almost €4 billion. The total investment for the 11 new ships is €9 billion.
MSC Cruises executive chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, said: “Today’s announcement is further proof of our view that this industry presents significant opportunities for additional growth going forward for both our brand and product.
“For this reason, our ten-plus year investment plan now encompasses up to eleven new MSC Cruises ships coming into service between 2017 and 2026.
“It is also a reflection of our constant commitment to innovation as we will partner with STX France to design yet again a completely new type of ship. The new MSC Cruise World Class prototype will feature – amongst other highly innovative elements – a futuristic design that will maximise the open space available to our guests.”
The announcement was made today at the Elysee Palace at a ceremony attended by the president of France, Francois Hollande.