Fincantieri: 2 cruise ships for china with an option for additional 4

February 24, 2017 – Fincantieri, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and Carnival Corporation & plc signed a binding Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the construction of two cruise ships, with an option for additional 4, the first units of the kind ever built in China for the Chinese market. The parties signed the MoA on behalf of the joint venture between Fincantieri and CSSC Cruise Technology Development Co., Ltd (CCTD), of the joint venture between Carnival Corporation and CSSC, and of the shipyard Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd (SWS). The agreement, subject to several conditions and of an approximate value of 1.5 billion dollars for the first two ships, updates the terms announced last September 23 between the parties, CIC Capital, CCTD and SWS, aimed at developing and supporting the growth of the Chinese cruise industry. The historic MoA was signed by the CEO of Fincantieri, Giuseppe Bono, by Michael Thamm, CEO of Carnival Asia and Costa Group, and by Wu Qiang, President of CSSC. The signing ceremony took place today at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on the occasion of the 4th Italy-China Business Forum, attended by Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The new ships will be built at the SWS yard, a facility of CSSC Group. The design will be tailored for the specific tastes of the Chinese travelers and for the new Chinese cruise brand of the joint venture between Carnival Corporation, CSSC and CIC Capital, which will also operate the units. The first delivery is expected in 2023.