Carnival Orders World's First LNG-powered Cruise Ships

Costa Ships — "Costa Fascinosa and Costa Magica in Venice 2" by Abxbay - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Carnival Corporation has signed a multi-billion dollar contract with Meyer Werft for four LNG-powered cruise ships, which will also have the largest guest capacity in the world.

The four new ships will be the first in the cruise industry to use LNG in dual-powered hybrid engines to power the ship both in port and on the open sea. LNG will be stored onboard and used to generate 100 percent power at sea. Using LNG to power the ships in port and at sea will eliminate emissions of soot particles and sulfur oxides.

Each of the four next-generation ships will be able to accommodate 6,600 guests. They will additionally have over 5,000 lower berths and will exceed 180,000 gross tons. A major component of the next-generation design involves making much more efficient use of the ship's spaces, creating an enhanced onboard experience for guests.

Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald said the contract is consistent with the company’s measured capacity growth strategy to replace ships with less efficient capacity with newer, larger and more fuel efficient vessels over time.

"We are looking forward to executing on the next step in our fleet enhancement plan," said Donald. "At a cost per berth in line with our existing order book, these new ships will enhance the return profile of our fleet. These are exceptionally efficient ships with incredible cabins and public spaces featuring a design inspired by Micky Arison and Michael Thamm and developed by our new build teams." Arison is chairman of the board of directors for Carnival Corporation & plc and Thamm is CEO of the Costa Group, which includes AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises.

Meyer Werft will build two ships of the ships in Germany and two at its shipyard in Turku, Finland. Each new ship will be specifically designed and developed for the brand and the guests it will serve.

Bernard Meyer, CEO of Meyer Werft, said, “In past years, we have built seven highly successful ships for AIDA Cruises. We are honored that Carnival Corporation has entrusted us with the implementation of this ambitious shipbuilding program, and we look forward to building these four magnificent ships.”

The contract with Meyer Werft is part of larger previously announced strategic memo of understanding with leading shipbuilders Meyer Werft and Fincantieri S.p.A for nine new ship orders between 2019 and 2022.

The ten brands comprising Carnival Corporation will operate 100 ships in 2015 totaling 219,000 lower berths with eight new ships scheduled to be delivered between 2016 and 2018, along with four additional new ships on order between 2019 and 2022.