Fincantieri to Build Viking Ships
Fincantieri is to build two new 45,000gt ocean cruise ships for Viking Ocean Cruises. The two companies reached a MoA for the contract and hope to secure financing support from the Italian export credit programme involving SACE and SIMEST and, if eligible, the funding from Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.
The two ships will be small by today’s standards, hosting 998 passengers in 499 cabins. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in late 2014, the second one in late 2015, and the deal has an option for a third vessel.
Torstein Hagen, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Viking, commented on the announcement: “We started Viking with the goal of bringing the destination back to cruising and we are excited to bring this same destination commitment back to ocean cruising. The ship designed by Ficantieri has a fresh and innovative design well suited to our commitment to destination cruising”.
Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri Chief Executive Officer, said: “Considering the economic crisis, this agreement between Fincantieri and the new customer represents a strong sign of renewed confidence in the sector growth, also because Viking, the world leader in river cruises, enters for the very first time the ocean cruises sector”.