MSC Cruises receives financing for two new cruise ships

MSC Cruises has received €1.5biliion (US$1.74 billion) ECA-backed financing for two new cruise ships.

The financing was provided by a syndicate of lenders comprising BNP Paribas, Unicredit and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.

The first ship is expected to be delivered in May 2021 and the second in February 2023. With the addition of these new ships, MSC Cruises now has plans in place for up to ten new ships to be built by 2026.

The 339-metre vessels, which are being built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, will offer 2,280 cabins on board, as well as a larger deck and yacht club than their predecessors.