DNV GL to Class RCL’s Icon Class Newbuilds

DNV GL has secured a classification contract for Royal Caribbean International’s new Icon Class vessels.

The contract, signed with the vessels’ builder, Finnish Meyer Turku Shipyard, covers two vessels with delivery scheduled for 2022 and 2024.

“These ships are set to push the envelope of what we can expect from a modern cruise vessel in terms of environmental performance, and we are looking forward to supporting Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku to realise a successful delivery,” Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV GL – Maritime, said.

The two 200,000 gross ton ships were ordered in 2016 and will be able to carry over 5,500 passengers each.

The ships will feature liquefied natural gas (LNG) as their primary fuel and introduce fuel cell technology.

The final concept for the first vessel is currently being discussed, and the concept design phase is expected to start this spring. The initial building phase of the first ship will begin next year, with keel laying planned for October 2019, DNV GL said.

Back in December 2017, Royal Caribbean Cruises secured USD 2.96 billion to finance the construction of its two new Icon-class ships.

The loan is being provided by an international consortium led by German lender KfW IPEX-Bank. The banking syndicate also includes BNP Paribas, HSBC, Commerzbank, Santander, BBVA, Bayern/LB, DZ Bank, JPMorgan and SMBC.