MSC Reportedly Inks Deal for two New Ships

Aker Yards said it has signed a contract with MSC Cruises to build two more Musica-class ships for the Italian cruise line. MSC did not issue any comment on the deal and said nothing has been finalized. Aker said the contract was subject to reaching a financing agreement.

The ships would be the fifth and sixth Musica-class ships. Aker said it would build the 90,000-gross-ton ships at its shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and deliver them to MSC in February 2011 and February 2012.

Aker’s shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, currently has three MSC ships under construction, including a fourth Musica-class ship, the Magnifica. That ship is scheduled for a spring 2010 delivery.

The 133,500-gross-ton MSC Fantasia is slated for delivery in December. Its sister ship, the Splendida, will follow in June 2009.