The three agreements signed today represent an investment that exceeds EUR 6.5 billion for the French economy

MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l'Atlantique have further expanded their long-term collaboration by making a series of strategic announcements at a ceremony held at the Matignon Palace, the official residence of the French Prime Minister. The ceremony was attended by Édouard Philippe, Prime Minister of France; Gianluigi Aponte, founder and executive president of the MSC Group; Pierfrancesco Vago, executive president of MSC Cruises; and Laurent Castaing, General Director of Chantiers de l'Atlantique.

First, the two companies have announced the signing of firm contracts for the construction of the third and fourth World Class ship powered by LNG from MSC Cruises, which will be delivered in 2025 and 2027. The first of the first two ships of this class is currently under construction in the Chantiers shipyard of l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire and will enter into service in 2022. With 205,000 TRB, it will become the largest vessel operated by a European cruise line, as well as the first LNG cruise built in France. Compared to standard marine fuel, LNG decreases sulphur emissions and particles by 99%, NOx emissions by 85% and CO2 emissions by 20%.

These contracts represent a capital investment of MSC Cruises that exceeds 2 billion euros and are expected to generate 14 million additional working hours, equivalent to more than 2,400 full-time jobs over the next three and a half years directly supported by these orders. Today's signature also allows the shipyard to start working with the hundreds of suppliers and subcontractors involved in the projects, launching a new cycle that will greatly benefit the French economy.

MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l'Atlantique have also extended their partnership over the next decade with two additional projects. First, the companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of a new prototype class of LNG-powered cruises that will operate under the MSC Cruises brand. For this project, MSC Cruises, the shipyard and other partners will focus on developing emerging environmental technologies in line with the IMO vision for 2030 and 2050. The four ships of this new class would represent a capital investment of more than 4 billion euros and 30 million more working hours for the shipyard, suppliers and subcontractors involved in the project.