French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique has started building an LNG-powered cruise vessel for US-based Royal Caribbean International.
The cruise line revealed the name of the upcoming ship, Utopia of the Seas, at the steel-cutting ceremony that took place in the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, on April 5.
This is the first out of six Oasis Class ships that will feature LNG propulsion. It will have a total power installed in the ship of more than 90 MW using 6 engines.
Royal Caribbean International, a unit of Royal Caribbean, said in a statement it expects the vessel to depart on its maiden voyage in spring 2024.
By introducing the first LNG-powered Oasis Class ship, the cruise line said it took yet another step toward a “clean-energy future” after its first LNG ship, Icon of the Seas, which debuts in fall 2023.
Finland’s Meyer Turku yard is moving forward with the construction of the LNG-powered Icon of the Seas, the first out of three LNG-powered cruise ships for Royal Caribbean International.
The yard recently held a keel-laying ceremony for this vessel.