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MSC Cruises ceo Pierfrancesco Vago has denied widespread market
speculation that the company had already sealed a deal to operate the cruise
ship ordered recently from STX France by Libya’s GNMTC.
‘They have contacted quite a few companies, not just us,’ he
said. ‘We did quote. We have put in a bid. But while we are in the running, we
are not the only ones. The speculation is wrong.’
Vago acknowledged that the 3,478-passenger cruise ship is remarkably similar in
its configuration to the vessel MSC ordered most recently for construction at
STX France.
That similarity, the choice of STX France to build the Libyan ship without
reference to rival Fincantieri, and GNMTC’s inexperience in running cruise
ships—it operates a fleet of tankers and gas carriers—has prompted a widespread
assumption that MSC already had the operating contract for the ship.
Vago said he hoped to land it but that the contest is still open. He added that
the company’s long experience of building at the St. Nazaire yard could give it
an advantage in securing the contract. At the same time, he said ‘there are
complicated issues involved here.’
He cited the Libyans’ wish to use the vessel essentially as a floating hotel for
part of the year, in line with desire to bring major international sporting and
cultural events to a country currently short on high-class accommodation.
As for MSC’s own vessel, ordered in March for delivery in 2012, Vago said the
contract had been signed, ‘but now we are working on tying up the financing.
It’s an exciting time, both on the operational aide and in terms of our
negotiations with the banks, but I’m positive. |
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