SAINT-NAZAIRE, FRANCE – A fifth Meraviglia class ship is coming to MSC Cruises, representing an additional investment of over US$1 billion.
The cruise line recently signed an order with STX France for the construction of the ship, set for delivery in 2023. It will be equipped with a new generation of dual-fuel engines designed to run on liquefied natural gas, as well as an advanced wastewater treatment system compliant with the world’s most stringent regulatory standards. Upon completion, it will accommodate 6,774 guests and span over 1,000 feet.
Float-out of the MSC Bellissima
The announcement was made at a ceremony held at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, where STX France and MSC celebrated three major ship building milestones: the steel-cutting ceremony of the 4th Meraviglia class vessel, the coin ceremony of MSC Grandiosa, and the float-out of MSC Bellissima. MSC Bellissima will be christened on March 2, 2019 while MSC Grandiosa will be christened in November 2019.
Steel Cutting Ceremony
For the first time in Saint-Nazaire’s history, three cruise ships belonging to a single cruise brand are under simultaneous construction at the shipyard.
“With the announcement of yet another new vessel, the 13th under our 10-year investment plan, we are affirming our commitment to sustainable growth for our company,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman. “Our fifth Meraviglia class cruise ship will bring a new generation of cutting-edge environmental technology to the market, benefitting from a new generation of LNG-powered engines.”
MSC Bellissima
Vago added that the ship will be joined at sea by up to four World Class LNG-powered ships as part of “our overall commitment to environmental stewardship through this and other next-generation technologies and solutions deployed fleet-wide.”
