New cruise line established

摘要

Established river operator Viking River Cruises has placed an order with STX France's St Nazaire shipyard for two ocean-going ships, with delivery in spring 2014 and spring 2015. There is also an option for a third. Construction begins in mid-September on the first vessel. Few details have been released, but it is believed that they will be similar in size to Hapag Lloyd's new Europa 2, currently being built, which has a gross tonnage of 39,500. The Viking newbuilds will each carry 888 passengers double occupancy, have a crew of 444 and a length of 230m. The company says the new ships will form the nucleus of a new cruise line and will be operated primarily in the Mediterranean and marketed to its US, UK and Australian clients. Viking currently operates 23 river vessels and launches another six this year, with four more due in 2013.