Norwegian Line Holdings and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri announced on Wednesday that they had reached an agreement for four new cruise ships. A source familiar with the matter estimated that this deal was worth approximately 9 billion euros (9.34 billion dollars).

Fincantieri already delivered two ships to NCL, and the third ship, the Norwegian Aqua will be delivered within the next few months. Source: The four new ships are the largest order that the Italian shipbuilder has ever received.

Fincantieri stated in a press release on the order that "the value of this contract, subject to finance and other terms and conditions typical of most orders, is very important." The company added that an initial letter of intent had been signed in April of 2024.

Fincantieri announced that the first ship would be delivered to customers in 2030. The other ships will be completed in 2032 2034 and 2030.

Fincantieri said that each ship will weigh around 226,000 tons and can accommodate over 8,300 people including crew. The company raised its revenue forecast for the full year to more than 8 billion euros in November.

The group continues to pursue its core business of shipbuilding, but is also expanding into defence and underwater segments.

In May, it acquired Leonardo's UAS. This deal gave the submarine business a value of 415 millions euros.

Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Fogiero said Fincantieri is open to any type of collaboration with Thyssenkrupp's warship division.

Fincantieri's shares have risen 106% in the last 12 months on the Milan stock exchange. Stocks rose up to 5.6% in the early morning trade on the Milan exchange, and were up by 2.83% as of 0821 GMT.

(source: Reuters)