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Finnish shipyard Meyer Turku has delivered the 180,000 tonne LNG-fuelled cruise ship Mardi Gras to Carnival Cruise Line in a live virtual signing ceremony. The delivery of the Mardi Gras cruise ship is considered a very important step for the shipyard, especially in the circumstances of the COVID-19 crisis.
Its maiden voyage is scheduled for 24 April 2021, from Port Canaveral, Florida. The 345-metre ship will be capable of accommodating more than 5,200 guests and a crew of 2,000. Guests will be able to choose from more than 2,600 cabins and 180 suites in 11 distinct categories.
"We are providing a beautiful and highly advanced ship with world-class technology such as LNG propulsion, to name but one. With these sophisticated systems, it will be one of the most environmentally friendly ships to ply the waters of North America. I am very proud of our shipbuilding team and would like to thank everyone involved for their dedication during the construction process," said Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku.
For her part Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line added "With this delivery, we can now focus our collective efforts on building her sister ship, Carnival Celebration, which will arrive from Turku in 2022 in time for our 50th birthday."
Siem Car Carriers' (SCC) Aristotle, the second of two LNG-fuelled pure car truck carriers (PCTC) in the SCC fleet (the other being the Confucius delivered to the company some six months ago), has also begun its maiden voyage from Emden, Germany, to North America.
The vehicle carrier, which operates exclusively for the Volkswagen Group, is operated by Siem Ship Management, a subsidiary of SCC based in Gdynia, Poland.
It is 200 metres long and 38 metres wide with a maximum draught of 10 metres, and its sailing speed is up to 19 nautical miles per hour.
With its first bunkering of fuel, the ship filled up with more than 800 tonnes of LNG, loading almost 4,800 cars, bound for Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Source: Meyer Turku - Siem Car Carriers
