Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has selected ALSTOM as the builder of its new generation of cruise-ships. The contract will grant ALSTOM the construction of two 1,275 cabin cruise-ships, with an option for a third sister-ship.

ALSTOM, via its subsidiary shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique is amongst the world leaders for the building of high-added value ships (cruiseships, naval vessels, high speed ferries, liquefied natural gas(LNG) tankers and all pecialised, complex types of ships).

The two ships will be 294 metres long and just over 32 metres wide and will comply with the Panamax standard. They are designed for cruises in the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas. The ships' design privileges passengers' access to sea views : around 80% of the cabins will have windows overlooking the sea, and three quarters of these 'outside view' cabins will also have balconies. The ships will be able to carry up to 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members.

The first ship will be delivered in June 2006 and the second in spring 2007.

Patrick Boissier, President of ALSTOM's Marine Sector, said: « We are proud that MSC has chosen to grant us its confidence in selecting us for the construction of two new large cruise-ships, and we are delighted to contribute to the success of our customer in the cruise market. From our point of view, this order results from the fruitful cooperation which has existed between our two companies over the past three years. ».

ALSTOM Marine has already constructed one 800 cabin cruiseship, "MSC Lirica", for MSC and will deliver her sister-ship, "MSC Opera" by May 2004.

Designer of the legendary transatlantic liners "Normandie" - "France" and "Queen Mary 2"; Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a world-wide specialist in the construction of cruise ships. The preoccupations with the comfort and pleasure of their passengers, as well as environmental issues, guided the design of these floating cities.