Italy’s Fincantieri floated out the first of two LNG-powered ships for Germany-based TUI Cruises, a joint venture of TUI and Royal Caribbean.
The launch of Mein Schiff Relax, the first of two InTUItion class new concept cruise ships, took place on November 28 at the Monfalcone shipyard, according to a statement by Fincantieri.
With about 160,000 gross tons, these units will constitute the backbone of TUI Cruises’ future fleet, it said.
Besides LNG dual-fuel propulsion, the vessels will also be equipped with catalytic converters (compliant with the Euro 6 standard) and with a generative turbine that uses the residual heat of the diesel generators, and an electrical shore-power connection from the ground.
All this guarantees almost emission-free operation while in port, or about 40 of operating time, Fincantieri claims.
Fincantieri started building this first vessel in June 2022.
According to the website of Tui Cruises, this vessel with a capacity for 3,984 passengers is expected to start sailing in winter 2024/2025.