Shipbuilder Vard said a contract has been signed for
delivery of two oceangoing vessels to Viking Cruises at a cost of about $611
million.
Viking and Vard had previously entered a memorandum of
understanding to build the vessels, are which described by the shipyard as "advanced
cruise vessels designed to be among the most environmentally friendly ships."
Neither Viking nor Vard has been more specific in describing the ships. Vard is constructing expedition ships for Ponant and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
The ships, of a size not specified, are scheduled for
delivery in 2021 and 2022.
Viking Ocean operates five 930-passenger ships, with an
additional 11 on order through 2027 with Fincantieri, Vard's parent company.