MSC Cruises and MEYER WERFT have confirmed that negotiations for the construction of four new-design ships have reached an advanced stage, with the companies expecting to conclude a final agreement within the coming weeks.
The project follows the signing of a letter of intent in December 2025 covering four units, together with options for two additional. It represents one of the largest cruise shipbuilding programmes currently under negotiation.
According to a joint statement, discussions have progressed beyond the preliminary agreement into detailed contract negotiations and the design phase. Both companies noted that the final agreement comprises a complex contractual framework, the completion of which typically requires at least six months, reflecting the project's scale and technical complexity.
The proposed vessels will introduce MSC's New Frontier class. The design is based on a ~180,000 GT volume and a maximum capacity of 5,400 passengers.
Deliveries are planned to commence in 2030, with one vessel entering service annually. Once signed, the contract would secure MEYER WERFT's production programme well into the next decade, extending workload through the early 2030s.
MSC Cruises and MEYER WERFT indicated that they remain confident of successfully concluding the negotiations and stated that full details of the agreement will be released after the contractual documentation has been formally executed.