- United Waterways has progressed five of eight newbuild slots toward construction
- Poseidon Expeditions will receive a new expedition ship from China Merchants in September 2028
- Fincantieri delivered 76 ships to Carnival over a 30-year partnership
- The new Carnival Destiny will exceed 200,000 gross tons and 230,000 tons
- Fincantieri is investing in crane upgrades and production robotisation for jumbo cruise ships
United Waterways and its ocean division Ocean Advice have signed a deal for a new expedition ship for Poseidon Expeditions, with delivery scheduled from China Merchants in September 2028. The United Waterways’ newbuild programme has now progressed to five vessels that are signed, ordered or in final contractual negotiation following the signing of the first expedition vessel for Poseidon Expeditions. Ocean Advice has placed orders for two more vessels at China Merchants: one coastal cruise ship and one expedition ship, both expected for delivery during 2029.
A further two ships are currently in the final contractual stage. Five of the eight slots secured under the original framework agreement are now actively progressing toward construction. The company’s ocean programme was launched to extend United Waterways’ white-label management model from rivers to the ocean sector, providing operators and brands with access to purpose-built expedition and coastal cruise vessels supported by comprehensive technical, nautical and hospitality management services. The programme includes four expedition ships and four coastal cruise ships. Mathias Kracht, Managing Director of Ocean Advice, shared: “We are very pleased to see this journey developing so successfully. What began as a strategic vision is now becoming a tangible fleet with strong partners and significant market interest.”
Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri’s CEO and managing director, confirmed that Carnival created the cruise business as it is today through its partnership with the shipyard. Speaking during the steel-cutting ceremony of the new Carnival Destiny, he highlighted the companies’ 30-year partnership. Folgiero explained the shipyard and its past leaders interpreted the vision of Carnival’s founding family, noting that the cruise business requires continued growth. The industry is expected to grow at least 4.5 pc per year through 2030, Folgiero noted, pointing to the small share the cruise business holds within the overall tourism industry. Folgiero shared: “The cruise business was truly invented and nurtured by the combination of Fincantieri and Carnival over the decades.”
Fincantieri delivered 76 ships to Carnival, Folgiero confirmed. The new Carnival Destiny, scheduled for delivery in 2029, will be the first ship exceeding 200,000 gross tons to be built at Fincantieri and will become the largest ship in Carnival’s history. Folgiero noted that Fincantieri is replacing cranes built in Germany in the 1960s with new ones recently built in Italy, doubling the facility’s lifting power to 800 tons per crane. Fincantieri is also investing in robotising its production line and automation technologies to minimise low-value activities, Folgiero added. Dr. Sascha Gill, CEO of United Waterways, shared: “The speed at which these slots have been secured validates our belief that the market is looking for modern, efficient and sustainable ship solutions.”
Pierroberto Folgiero shared: “The cruise business was truly invented and nurtured by the combination of Fincantieri and Carnival over the decades. This tacit knowledge is in the hands of our workers, in the mind of our engineers and in the professionalism of our company.”
Sascha Gill shared: “The speed at which these slots have been secured validates our belief that the market is looking for modern, efficient and sustainable ship solutions. Our white label ocean platform allows partners to focus on their brand and guests while benefiting from the operational expertise of United Waterways and Ocean Advice.”
Mathias Kracht shared: “We are very pleased to see this journey developing so successfully. What began as a strategic vision is now becoming a tangible fleet with strong partners and significant market interest.”
