OVDS signs contract with Fincantieri

OVDS, the Norwegian shipping company, signed a contract with the Italian shipyard Fincantieri for the building of a new cruise ship.

The contract is worth $82.7 million and the newbuilding is slated to be delivered in April 2007. The ship will be used for cruises to Greenland in summer, and will be sailing in Hurtigruten, Norway, in the winter.

The new ship will have a length of 110 metres, a beam of 20 metres, 8 decks. When completed, the ship will have 140 cabins of the highest standard, 348 berths and a total capacity of 500 passengers.

The decision to invest in a ship designed for operations in polar waters with ice classification is an important part of OVDS` strategy towards taking another step in developing into the worlds leading Explorer Cruise Company. Both the Greenland cruises and the sailing in Hurtigruten will be done in the spirit of OVDS? vision, i.e. “local touch and unique experience”. The passengers will be given the opportunity to experience nature and culture through sailings, excursions and on-board lectures. The Greenland cruise programme will consist of both 7 days and 14 days cruises.