Samsung wins Utopia cruiseship order

US-based cruise and d hotel operator Utopia Ocean Residences has signed a letter of intent with Samsung Heavy Industries for a 105,000 gt residential condominium cruiseship for delivery in 2013.

The total value of the contract is $1.1bn and confirmation of the order is expected in the first half of 2010. The newbuilding will feature about 200 luxury apartments ranging from two to three bedrooms in addition to a living room, kitchen and bathroom. The room layouts will provide from 132 square metres to 594 square metres of living space. There will be a “resident population” limit of 900 people for comfortable living and recreation on board.

The team behind Utopia includes some former ResidenSea staff such as Captain Ola Harsheim and Chief Engineer Tor Hansen. With the signing of the letter of intent, Utopia will now begin to start selling the apartments and, if sales are strong enough, be able to get sufficient funding to go ahead with the construction of the cruiseship.

Unfortunately, considering ResidenSea’s financial and sales difficulties and the current global economic situation, it could be a long uphill struggle.