MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique shake hands on €3.5B deal for new LNG-fueled World Class duo

MSC Cruises, the cruise division of Swiss shipping giant MSC Group, has signed a ‘massive’ shipbuilding order with France-based Chantiers de l’Atlantique for the construction of two more liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered World Class-series units.

As disclosed, the order—worth a whopping €3.5 billion (roughly $4 billion)—was placed on November 12, bringing MSC Cruises’ total investment in the quartet booked in France so far this year to nearly €7 billion.

Moreover, alongside the World Class cruise vessels that are already being built, this brings the company’s direct investment (currently committed) in the country to €10.5 billion.

Owing to the fact that the newly booked vessels will be delivered equipped with an LNG dual-fuel propulsion system (one that is said to offer a “faster payback” for shipowners in comparison to other emerging fuel types, such as methanol), the seventh and eighth MSC Cruises’ additions to the roster are expected to act as ‘important’ links in the maritime industry player’s sustainability vision.

Once completed, the ships are reportedly planned to be handed over in 2031 and 2032, respectively.