Rijeka’s Croatia 3 Maj shipyard was reported to have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to build a series of expedition Polar cruise ships for a US shipping company.
According to local media, due to a confidentiality clause, details, including the identity of the shipowner, have not been disclosed thus far.
There are believed to be four newbuildings to begin with. They will be smaller in size and slightly less luxurious than the ‘Eclipse I’ and ‘II’ built for the Scenic Group. However, they will be built and equipped to the highest Polar class that currently exists for passenger ships.
A firm contract for the construction of the first vessel will be signed by the end of this year, local media reported.
3 Maj is facing another restructuring programme. A previously adopted plan for the shipyard called for some of the employees to be transferred to a subsidiary company, 3 Maj Rijeka 1905, which was seen as the best solution to reduce the current deficit, which amounts to €102 mill, local media reported.
