French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique has started building the first out of two LNG-powered superyachts for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
To mark the construction start, Chantiers de l’Atlantique held the steel-cutting ceremony for the LNG-powered Ilma at its yard in Saint-Nazaire on July 13.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, an ultra-luxury cruise line established by Marriott International’s Ritz-Carlton brand and Oaktree Capital Management, said reservations for the 2024 season of itineraries would open to the public this winter.
The firm is preparing to launch its first superyacht, Evrima, this summer, while the two LNG-powered newbuild superyachts, Ilma and Luminara, should set sail in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
To remind, the cruise company ordered the two LNG-powered vessels at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in March this year.
Besides two firm 242 meters long vessels, the order includes an option for two additional ships.
The ships will have four dual-fuel engines and utilize LNG as its main fuel source, “significantly” reducing emissions as compared to traditional practices, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection said.