Fincantieri and Virgin Voyages contracts now effective
Ship construction contracts valued at approximately 2 billion euros between Fincantieri and Virgin Voyages (part of Virgin Group of companies ) for three new cruise ships have been finalized and are now effective. The three units will be built at the shipyard in Sestri Ponente (Genoa) with delivery scheduled for 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively, the company said in its press release.
Each ship will weigh about 110,000 gross tons, be 278 meters long and 38 wide. The ships will feature over 1,400 guest cabins that can host more than 2, 800 passengers, accompanied by 1,100 crew members on board to deliver the famed Virgin service.
These ships will stand out for original design and craftsmanship. They will include some highly innovative ideas and design solutions, notably for energy recovery, reducing the overall environmental impact. For example, they will be equipped with an energy production system of approximately 1 MW, which uses the diesel engine’s waste heat.
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and number one by diversification and innovation. It is leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high - tech shipbuilding industry’s sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high - complex ity special vessels and ferries t o mega - yachts, ship repair s and conversions, system s and components production and after - sales services. Headquartered in Trieste (Italy), the Group has built more than 7,000 vessels in over 230 years of maritime history. With almost 19, 0 00 employees, of whom more than 7,800 in Italy, 20 shipyards in 4 continents, today Fincantieri is the leading Western shipbuilder. It has among its clients the major cruise operators, the Italian and the U.S. Navy, in addition to several foreign navies, and it is partner of some of the main European defense companies within s upranational programmes.
Virgin Voyages is a new cruise line based in South Florida that is planning to offer its guests an outstanding ex perience matched with the famed Virgin service. Virgin Voyages is backed by lead investors Bain Capital Private Equity and Virgin Group.
