MSC, Onorato order up to eight LNG-ready ropax newbuilds from China

Mediterranean Shipping Group (MSC) and Onorato Armatori signed a contract on Sunday with two units of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation to build four LNG-ready roll-on/roll-off luxury cruise ferries. 

The contract signed with Guangzhou Shipyard International and China Shipbuilding Trading includes an option for four additional cruise ferries to be built at GSI.

The first vessel is scheduled to start operating in 2020. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

The cruise ferries will have 229.5 meters in length and will be 32 meters wide with 534 cabins for up to 2,500 people.

MSC Group’s ferry business in Italy, GNV, will take the delivery of the first and third vessel, while Onorato Armatori will receive the second and fourth vessel to be built in China.

If the two companies decide to exercise the option for the additional four ferries, they will take the delivery of two ships, each.

LNG World News Staff