MSC Cruises have announced that French ship builders STX, the company that build the recently launched Norwegian Epic, will build their newest liner the MSC Fantastica. The new Fantasia class ship will be the 12th in the Fleet.

"We are very pleased that this important contract with MSC is now confirmed," said Jacques Hardelay, General Manager of STX France, “and we look forward to continuing the long-standing relationship between the teams of MSC Cruises and STX France for the successful delivery of this magnificent vessel”.

Following this morning's press conference in St-Naizzare, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, along with Gianluigi Aponte, President of MSC, Mr Piefrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises CEO and Mr Hardeley, General Manager of STX France.

The all important factor in the success of the project was the financial backing provided by French financial institutions, and especially by Coface, the French Export Credit Agency, making it possible for the vessel to be delivered as required by MSC Cruises by the end of spring 2012.

Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, added: “We are delighted at the confirmation of this important investment, a sign of the success of our ambitious growth strategy, and we would like to thank all those who have made it possible. Together with STX France, we are now keen to focus our energies on further enhancing MSC Cruises' leading positioning within the world’s cruise industry. MSC Fantastica will build on the success of the ‘Fantasia’ prototype, appreciated by more and more guests, thanks to innovate features like the MSC Yacht Club, the ship within a ship offering unprecedented levels of privacy and personalized service.”

Written by Stephen Adam