Gauteng News | International Business & Travel
MSC Cruises has announced a major expansion of its World Class fleet with two new ships—World Class 7 and 8—following a landmark agreement with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The new orders, valued at €3.5 billion, bring the company’s total shipbuilding investment in France this year to nearly €7 billion, and a total commitment of €10.5 billion when including vessels already under construction.
The announcement was made during a double celebration at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, marking two key milestones:
- The float out of MSC World Asia, and
- The coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic.
A Strengthened Partnership and Historic Investment
The long-standing collaboration between MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique continues to grow, with the two new ships scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031. Construction on both vessels is set to begin in 2029.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, hailed the moment as a milestone in innovation and sustainability:
“The World Class platform is a symbol of our vision to set new standards for the future of cruising. These are some of the most energy-efficient ships in the world, and our continued commitment to LNG ensures we are ready for future renewable fuels.”
Chantiers de l’Atlantique General Manager Laurent Castaing praised the expanded partnership:
“Four new ships ordered in 2025 is truly exceptional. The World Class series, now totalling eight vessels, showcases our shared commitment to elevating passenger experience while advancing environmental performance.”
WORLD CLASS: A New Era of Cruising
MSC’s World Class ships are known for combining visionary design, elevated guest experiences, and cutting-edge sustainability technology. Each ship is built as a “destination at sea,” featuring distinct lifestyle districts tailored for relaxation, entertainment, and exploration.
The existing and upcoming World Class fleet includes:
- MSC World Europa (2022)
- MSC World America (2025)
- MSC World Asia (2026)
- MSC World Atlantic (2027)
- World Class 5, 6, 7, and 8 (2031)
The two newest orders remain subject to financing approval, in line with maritime industry practice.
MSC WORLD ASIA: FLOAT OUT CEREMONY
The float-out ceremony marks the moment a vessel touches water for the first time—a symbolic and technical milestone in its construction.
MSC World Asia will be delivered in November 2026 and will begin operating seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises, including stops in Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Rome (Civitavecchia), Messina, and Valletta.
MSC WORLD ATLANTIC: COIN CEREMONY
A traditional maritime coin ceremony was also held for MSC World Atlantic, symbolising blessings and good fortune for the ship during its build.
The godmothers for the ceremony were:
- Lynn Torrent, President of MSC Cruises North America
- Agnès Sahores, Smart Yard Improvement Manager at Chantiers de l’Atlantique
MSC World Atlantic will enter service in 2027, sailing Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral (USA) during the 2027–28 winter season.
LOOKING AHEAD
The signing of two additional World Class ships strengthens MSC Cruises’ position as one of the world’s fastest-growing cruise lines. It also reinforces Europe—particularly France—as a global leader in shipbuilding innovation and sustainability.
As the cruise industry rebounds strongly, MSC is positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation sea travel, prioritising energy efficiency, lower emissions, and unmatched guest experiences.
