Cruise Line Takes Over Partly Completed Ship

MSC Cruises takes over cruise liner MSC Preziosa from STX France yard

Rapid expansion of cruise ship owners MSC comes with the announcement that they have finalized negotiations with STX France and signed a contract to take over the 140,000 ton cruise ship following the termination of the agreement with the original owner.

MSC Preziosa will become the 13th addition to the MSC Cruises’ fleet, as well as the fourth in its MSC 'Fantasia' class which includes MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida and MSC Divina.The latest ship is in fact the sister ship of MSC Divina, which is currently having final touches applied in the STX ship yard in St Nazaire, France.

“The new ship represents an investment of 550 million euros and will be delivered at the end of March 2013. Negotiations with STX France have lasted over nine months; a significant but understandable period of time considering the importance of the investment and the unexpected nature of the takeover,” said Mr Pierfrancesco Vago CEO MSC Cruises. “When MSC Preziosa is delivered we will have four ships of every class, giving us a total capacity of over 40,000 berths."

MSC Preziosa’s construction is 45% complete, and her mechanical zones are 70% complete.