Contracts have been signed for the construction of five next-generation passenger ships
Following the landmark agreement in March 2015 and the memorandum of agreement last December, Fincantieri (CDP Group), and Carnival Corporation & plc, the largest cruise company in the world, have signed contracts for the construction of five next-generation passenger ships.
The contracts finalised today – historic in their scope and including an additional ship to the memorandum of agreement signed in December – mark the most significant milestone achieved in recent years by the two groups and have a total value of over €3 billion.
Once again, the support of the Export Credit system managed by Cassa depositi e prestiti was essential in concluding the agreement. For Fincantieri – and all other Italian exporters – export credits represent an essential way to do business efficiently.
The contracts were signed by Micky Arison, Chairman of Carnival Corporation, and Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. The signing took place in the presence of Graziano Delrio, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, who was sent by the Office of the Italian Prime Minister to represent the government.
The partnership between Fincantieri and Carnival Corporation is extremely strategically significant not only for the shipbuilding industry but for the entire Italian economy. In fact, the contracts announced yesterday constitute a long-term plan for one of the biggest foreign investors in Italy.
Through its partnership with Fincantieri, the US group has invested nearly €30 billion in Italy, including the contracts announced today.
Since 1990 Fincantieri has built 72 cruise ships, 60 of which for Carnival’s various brands, while another 24 units are currently under construction or soon to be built in the Group’s shipyards, 11 of which for companies of the US corporation.