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quote:MSC Crociere: Negotiations For 150K Ton ShipApril 6, 2005Naples (Italy) - Gianluigi Aponte, the MSC Cruises patron, is negotiating with the world’s major shipyards for the construction of his flagship. The ship, classified as a big-ship, will have a gross tonnage of around 150,000 and a capacity of over 3000 passengers.The order, which will have a value of just over Euro 650million, will be signed in late May. The Sorrento born and Geneva based shipping magnate, is counting to have her in the fleet by spring 2008.ANSA
Naples (Italy) - Gianluigi Aponte, the MSC Cruises patron, is negotiating with the world’s major shipyards for the construction of his flagship. The ship, classified as a big-ship, will have a gross tonnage of around 150,000 and a capacity of over 3000 passengers.
The order, which will have a value of just over Euro 650million, will be signed in late May. The Sorrento born and Geneva based shipping magnate, is counting to have her in the fleet by spring 2008.
ANSA
******
Cheers
[ 04-07-2005: Message edited by: bulbousbow ]
but I´m not sure if they have room in the orderbook for ship that big? maybe in turku, but they are building Freedom-class ships
Johan
Pam
quote:Originally posted by Johan:If true, this is exciting news.If i am not mistaken, this would be the first topleague passenger ship for an independen european company since the QE2 (considering RCI as more American than European).Johan
This is exciting news? This is absolutely HORRIBLE news. Even MSC has gotten sucked in to the Monster Ship Madness.
Does MSC have that kind of money?
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:150K is a big a the QM2!Does MSC have that kind of money?
They are one of the biggest container ship lines. The cruise business is only a small part of this company.
quote:Originally posted by CGT:This is exciting news? This is absolutely HORRIBLE news. Even MSC has gotten sucked in to the Monster Ship Madness.
It is very exciting that an independent European company has the guts and the will to confront Carnival in such a big way. The necessary competition is there, it seems, with perhaps also a product that is different from the existing ones...
In another thread it was mentioned that "niche" small luxury ship companies are the "hobby" of bigger companies. Perhaps this is the case with MSC cruises, as MSC is really one of the biggest world players in shipping. If "economy of scale" is invoked, I guess MSC is an example, with ships and lines all over the globe, so also the necessary contacts, agents, traders, furnishers etc etc.
J
quote: Originally posted by CGT:This is exciting news? This is absolutely HORRIBLE news. Even MSC has gotten sucked in to the Monster Ship Madness.
I think it's a mistake to see MSC as an alternative to mainstream companies. In just 2 years of spectacular growth (Lirica, Opera, former Festival ships, and soon Musica and Orchestra) they have become Costa (that's to say Carnival) arch-rival on the fast growing european market. They are even starting to be recognized in northern America.
I think they have planned right from the beginning of their commitment in cruising industry to become a mass market line, using as soon as they could bigger ships to compete against the major operators (first Costival in Europe and then, in a few years, when their position here will be reinforced, Carnival, Rccl, NCL and the others on the US market).
Ernie
A 150k monster is a far cry from the 90k ORCHESTRA/MUSICA and even their 58k LIRICA/OPERA. If Chantiers get the contract, will the hull be based on the QM2? And if Akers get the deal, will we see a VOYAGER-class based ship?
It makes me wonder if the North American MSC operations will drop the "Italian Cruising" part?
[ 04-07-2005: Message edited by: Keitaro ]
quote:Originally posted by Keitaro:If Chantiers get the contract, will the hull be based on the QM2? And if Akers get the deal, will we see a VOYAGER-class based ship?
No cruise line will build an 'Ocean going' hull unless they really need it for their proposed itineraries. It costs so much more than a 'cruise ship' style hull.
It is not necessary to "copy" the hull shape for a new ship on a certain design. The high quantities involved with such big structures like ships (saving 1% fuel is already a lot of money) justify to "develop" an own hull shape for every purpose. Compared to these cost the computer simulations and tank tests are negligable. Also CAD / CAM / CNC allows to adopt the overall design to specific needs, while still mantaing a high part of "standardized" components. (e.g. reusing "tools" which have been previously used)
The specifications for (some) cruise ships are of course similar (speed, draft etc.) and a yard (or who ever is responsible for the hull design) might start from an (scaled) existing shape with the iterative process of "optimizing" the hull shape. (The process of hull design is iterative and there is no unique solution. What is called "optimization" is not so much the convergence of an algorithm than a decision between a different designs which have been investigated/considered)
In any case the specifications for the mentioned QM2 are very different to the typical specifications of a (slower) cruise ship.
And MSC Musica shares hull design with Coral Princess. So, MSC has a history of using pre-existing hull designs.
However, there are only two existing hull designs that could be used for a 150,000 ton ship for MSC. Either Ultra-Voyager or QM2. As already noted, using the QM2 design is foolish- why pay the huge extra costs for a liner hull when all MSC needs is a cruise ship.
As for Ultra-Voyager, that is also unlikely.
I would expect a new design if these rumors are true.
It isn’t horrible news. It is evolution. If the market wants monster ships, the cruise lines will build them. It is as simple as that.
quote:Originally posted by bulbousbow:It isn’t a joke. The news was released by ANSA (Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata), the Italian equivalent of Associated Press.It isn’t horrible news. It is evolution. If the market wants monster ships, the cruise lines will build them. It is as simple as that.******Cheers
Yes and we all know the market is trailer park trash.
quote:CGT wrote:Yes and we all know the market is trailer park trash.
How about you tell these people who cruise what you think of them? And see what sort of reply you get.
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