Tag Archives: Fincantieri shipyard

MSC Seaview floated out from Italian shipyard

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MSC Cruises latest new generation ship MSC Seaview was floated out at the Fincanteri shipyard in Trieste, Italy today.

The 5,179-passenger vessel is the second ship in the Seaview class of ships and is part of a €9 billion, ten year investment plan.

Sister ship MSC Seaside is due to enter service in November following MSC Meraviglia in June.

MSC Seaview is set to join the fleet in June 2018 with an inaugural season in the Mediterranean before transferring to Brazil for winter 2018-19.

Chief executive, Gianni Onorato, said: “We are truly leading the way with our ship designs, as each new class of ships that we bring into service is rooted in meeting the needs of holidaymakers of different ages, demographics and holiday desires.

“With MSC Seaview, in particular, our vision has been inspired by our passion for the sea and we are appealing to guests who are seeking the classic elements of a holiday – sun and sea – taken to the next level with a one-of-a-kind fully immersive and interactive seaside experience even whilst cruising at sea.”

Executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “The float out of MSC Seaview is another significant milestone in the expansion of our fleet.

“She is part of a ten year investment plan that will have already seen the delivery of six new ships by 2020.

“We are already the market leading cruise brand in the Mediterranean and Europe and the deployment of MSC Seaview in this key region will help us further push boundaries by bringing one of the most innovative cruise ships to an area that we are deeply committed to and is a cornerstone of our business.”

Fincantieri to buy stake in STX France shipyard

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STX France shipyard

An agreement has been reached for the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to acquire 48% of the French shipyard in St. Nazaire that is one of a handful of yards that builds large cruise ships.

The French yard is majority-owned by Korean conglomerate STX with the French government a minority 33% partner. The French government would continue to hold its one-third stake, plus veto power over decision-making, the French daily Ouest France reported.

A navy shipbuilder in France, DCNS, would get a 12% stake and a nonprofit called Fondation CRTrieste would be a 7% partner, the paper said.

The agreement, according to Ouest France, includes “commitments, particularly regarding the sustainability of the site and its activities, as well as investment and the maintenance and development of employment.”

Fincantieri emerged as the only bidder for the STX stake in the French yard, which has been for sale for several years due to financial pressures at STX.

STX France built the Harmony of the Seas for Royal Caribbean International and has contracts for a fourth Oasis-class ship, plus two Edge-class ships for Celebrity Cruises, due in 2018 and 2020.

With the deal, Fincantieri and Germany’s Meyer Werft will be the two major suppliers of big ships to the cruise industry, following Meyer’s acquisition of yards in Finland and Fincantieri’s investment in the STX France facility.

Silversea optimistic about further expansion

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The 596-passenger Silver Muse, delivered on April 3 by the Fincantieri shipyard, has eight restaurants but no main dining room.

ABOARD THE SILVER MUSE — In a news conference aboard Silversea Cruises’ first new luxury vessel in eight years, company chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Olvidio sounded optimistic that the 596-passenger Silver Muse would eventually be joined by one or more sister ships, to reach an eventual goal of a 12-ship fleet.

“What is a fact is that we have three options for three identical ships, at incredibly good terms,” Lefebvre said.

He said the options are for ships to be delivered in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He also said that puts Silversea in a good position, given the recent flood of ship orders that has created a backlog at shipyards.

“Now company policy is we announce things when we do them. When we say we’re going to build a ship, it’s going to happen,” Lefebvre said. He did not have any announcements about exercising the options.

The company’s next project after taking delivery of the Silver Muse is the conversion of its first ship, Silver Cloud, to do expedition cruising, including trips to Antarctica.

Lefebvre said the company has earmarked $170 million for upgrading its fleet. “If it’s necessary to do more, we’ll do more. If it’s not necessary, we will not. But we have a goal. We will proceed immediately with the Cloud. Hopefully another ship will be announced soon to have a massive refurbishment and renovation,” he said.

The 596-passenger Muse, delivered on April 3 by the Fincantieri shipyard, has eight restaurants but no main dining room.

“This ship for us sets a new standard. And, of course, it gives me the problem now that I will have to invest more money in the rest of the fleet,” Lefebvre said.

Silversea plans a global brand campaign starting this summer, related to some product announcements, chief marketing officer Barbara Muckermann said.

Muckermann told a group of agents on the ship in a presentation that Silversea’s target market are baby boomers, and that most of the millennial generation has yet to build the wealth needed to cruise on Silversea.

Lefebvre said that travel agents will play a key role in Silversea’s eventual growth to 12 ships, telling them,”If you help me fill this ship, I will build three more of these.”