France: Utopia of the Seas – Construction of New Royal Caribbean Ship Started in Saint-Nazaire
(f.l.t.r.): Jean-Yves Jaouen (SVP, Operations, Chantiers de l’Atlantique), K. Gonzalez (RCCL Architect), H. Kulovaara (RCCL Ship Architect), Florence Mauduit (Contract Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique), Jason Liberty (President & CEO, RCCL), Nicolas Jover (Ship Manager) & Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
© Bernard Biger – Chantiers de l’Atlantique
Construction of a new cruise ship from Royal Caribbean International (RCI) recently began at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France – “Utopia of the Seas” is the name of the sixth ship in the Oasis class, which will be the first in this series to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The debut of the new mega-ship is targeted for spring 2024.
“We are excited to begin construction on Utopia of the Seas,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “On the sixth Oasis Class ship, vacationers can look forward to the signature combination of Royal Caribbean experiences and many brand-new adventures that has and will continue to make the Oasis class of ships the ultimate vacation for guests of all ages.” The first Oasis-class ship debuted in 2009 with “Oasis of the Seas”, and the latest in the series is “Wonder of the Seas”, which departed on its maiden voyage this spring.
However, the premiere of an LNG ship ever on the world’s oceans by Royal Caribbean International will be celebrated next year with the “Icon of the Seas”, when this cruise ship sets sail for the first time in the fall of 2023. After Aida Cruises (part of Carnival Corporation) put the world’s first LNG cruise ship into service in 2018 with the “Aida Nova”, more and more shipping companies are now relying on the supposedly sustainable bridging technology of liquefied natural gas propulsion on the way to climate neutrality in the construction of their giant ships. A few days ago, for example, the new cruise ship “Aida Cosma”, which also runs on liquefied natural gas, was christened in the port of Hamburg. (eap)
