Vard wins contracts to build two luxury cruise vessels

SHIPBUILDER Vard Holdings has secured contracts to design and build two luxury expedition cruise vessels for German cruise company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

The company had announced a letter of intent relating to this on May 13, without revealing the name of the cruise company then.

The contracts' effectiveness is still contingent on customary financing conditions, said Vard on Friday evening. It did not disclose the value of the contract.

The vessels are specially designed for cruises in polar regions in the Arctic and Antarctica, but can also operate in warm water destinations such as the Amazon.

They will be about 16,100 gross tonnes, about 138 metres long and 22 metres wide. Each vessel will have seven passenger decks, and able to accommodate 240 passengers in 120 cabins and suites. They will also contain a water sports marina and modern spa and fitness areas.

The hulls of the vessels will be built by Vard's shipyard in Tulcea, Romania, and delivery is scheduled from Vard Langsten in Norway in the first and fourth quarters of 2019.

Vard's CEO Roy Reite said that the firm is honoured to have been chosen by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises for the project.

"A leading player like Hapag-Lloyd Cruises placing their trust in Vard's capabilities to develop these unique, high-end vessels shows the recognition we have quickly earned in this segment of the speciality shipbuilding market," he said.