Royal Caribbean Orders Mamoth Ship from Finland

The cruise company sailing from the US has just ordered a 43% larger vessel than the previous record breaker. Just goes to show-- there is more to Finnish industry than just Nokia and forestry machines.

Taken from the Aker Yards Website:

Royal Caribbean orders a giant cruise vessel from Aker Yards
06-February-06

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Royal Caribbean International orders a new generation cruise vessel from Aker Yards. The contract price being approximately EUR 900 million, this is the most valuable ship ever ordered in the history of commercial shipbuilding.

The 220,000 GRT ship, a prototype developed under Project Genesis, will be delivered from Aker Yards, Finland in autumn 2009. The order means 5,800 man years of work for the yard. The contract includes an option for a similar vessel.

"After developing so many generations of cruise ships together over the 35 years of our partnership with RCCL we are excited about jumping so far out in front of cruise-ship design with this highly innovative and exciting new ship" says Yrjö Julin, President responsible for Aker Yards Cruise & Ferries business area. "Working together we will create an unparalleled experience for the next generation of cruisers."

"It is exhilarating to take such a giant step into the future", said Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO Richard Fain. "Project Genesis truly is a remarkable ship. Its bold design, daring innovation and technological advancements will delight our existing customers and help us draw in new ones". He also said Royal Caribbean to be fortunate to have such gifted collaborators as Aker Yards.

Taking a huge leap of 43 per cent in size from the new record breaking "Freedom of the Seas" to be delivered for Royal Caribbean from Aker Yards in April, the new giant of the cruise market will be 360 meters long, 47 meters wide, 65 m high above waterline and accommodate 5,400 passengers.

The previous deliveries from Aker Yards to Royal Caribbean include eleven newbuildings, and there are three more in the present orderbook, the world´s largest cruise vessels in the Freedom class, to be delivered in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Consisting of 18 newbuildings, the total value of the order book of Aker Yards in Finland is some 4.3 billion euro after this contract.

The contract is subject to final confirmation of buyers financing.

A side view of the vessel can be found in our imagebank www.akerfinnyards.com , Newsroom / Image bank / Cruise vessels

For further information, please contact:

Aker Yards ASA
Tore Langballe, SVP Communications and IR, tel. +47 90 777 841