By
Rebecca Gibson |
A new cruise ship is to be built for German cruise operator TUI Cruises at STX Finland’s Turku yard. The contract, announced on 27 September, is for the design and construction of an innovative 97,000 GT cruise ship.
The sophisticated and highly innovative vessel, which will accommodate 2,500 passengers and 1,000 crew, is scheduled for delivery in spring 2014. The ship will have a strong focus on energy efficiency with many environmentally friendly features. TUI Cruises has an option to order another ship subject to agreement by the company’s shareholders.
The ship will have 1,250 staterooms and a high private balcony ratio. With amenities to include a wide variety of restaurants, a theatre, a spa, a nightclub and a large deck area, the vessel will offer cruises suitable for passengers of all ages. STX estimates that the project will bring approximately 5,500 man-years of labour for the shipyard.
Richard J. Vogel, CEO of TUI Cruises, remarked: “Due to its outstanding positioning as a shipyard and long-term cooperation with Royal Caribbean Cruises, we trust that STX Finland is a great partner for us and will successfully realise our ideas in the new ship.”
The order is highly important for STX and STX Finland, said Sujou Kim, CEO of STX Europe and STX Finland. “We are extremely pleased to sign this contract with TUI Cruises. By building this innovative ship, we continue our successful and long history of building top class cruise vessels.”
Jari Anttila, director of the company’s Turku yard, added: “We are delighted to deliver to TUI Cruises their first newbuilding which will represent the next generation of energy efficient and environmentally friendly cruise ship.”