Aker and MSC sign fourth Musica contract

Aker Yards has signed a contract with MSC Cruises to build a 4th MSC Musica Class Cruise ship. The ?MSC Magnifica? will be built at Aker Yards, Saint-Nazaire in France, for delivery in 2010. The value of the contract is approximately EUR 410 million ($548 million) and is subject to financing.

Like her three predecessors (MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra and MSC Poesia) this 89,600 gt Panamax cruise ship is 294 metres long and will carry up to 4,000 people on board (including crew) and have 1,275 passenger cabins, 80% of which being outside.

Aker Yards is presently completing the construction of ?MSC Orchestra?, which will be delivered in May. The order book also includes the third sister ship, ?MSC Poesia? for delivery in 2008 and two 1,650 cabins cruise ships, the ?MSC Fantasia? for delivery in 2008 and ?MSC Serenate? for delivery in 2009.

By 2009, MSC Cruises’ fleet will include ten modern cruise ships, all built by Aker Yards.