MSC Cruises Orders Two More at Fincantieri, Takes Delivery of MSC Seaside

MSC Twitter MSC Cruises is scheduled to formalize the order this afternoon with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of two Seaside Evo Class ships, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, Pierfrancesco Vago, announced. As informed, the ships will be completed in 2021 and 2023, respectively. The said ships will entail a further investment of EUR 1.8 billion, taking the companys investment at Fincantieri to EUR 3.5 billion, Vago said. Fincantieri and MSC cruises have reached an understanding for the construction of two new cruise ships, evolutions of those of the Seaside class, Fincantieri confirmed. The contract signing ceremony is scheduled to take place as part of the MSC Seasides delivery hosted by the shipyard today in Trieste. MSC Seaside is the first of the two cruise vessels ordered by Switzerland’s MSC Cruises from Fincantieri. With a gross tonnage of 154,000 tons, the ship is 323 meters long and 41 meters wide. It will be able to carry 5,179 passengers and 1,413 crewmembers. MSC Seaside is the largest ship so far built in Italy, according to Fincantieri. Its sister ship, MSC Seaview, is slated for delivery in June 2018, according to data provided by VesselsValue. The newbuildings are part of MSC Cruises’ EUR 9 billion (around USD 9.6 billion) plan which includes the construction of eleven next-generation ships expected to enter service between 2017 and 2026. World Maritime News Staff