Viking Ocean Cruises is a follower of the previously well-known company Royal Viking Line, which served sea cruises from 1972 to 1990. Ships of the Royal Viking Line presented the middle class and were considered one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the industry at that time. After the sale of the Royal Viking Line brand one of its founders, Thorsten Hagen, headed one of the most successful modern European river cruise operators Viking River Cruises.
Negotiation of the company and the Italian shipyard were mentioned by the press in April 2012. Then the sides expressed their intention to sign contracts in the near future. So, it seems, the future has become.
The joint statement of Viking Ocean Cruises and Fincantieri says that liners will be delivered in 2015-2016. Displacement of each ships will be 47000 tons, the number of cabins - 472. Capacity of the ships is 944 passengers each.
None of the companies disclosed the amount of the contract. As for the shipyard, it is known that the main competitor of Fincantieri was the French shipyard STX France. However, as a result the company preferred the Italians.
For the Fincantieri obtaining of a new customer means not only two new orders. In the future the company, which is primarily known as a river operator, can place in Italy orders on expanding its river fleet.
By the way, this season was a record for the Viking River Cruises on the number of presented new river ships. In total, in spring-summer season in 2012 six new ships were launched.
Ilya Kalachev
Date: 15/07/2012
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