Turun Sanomat, a Finnish newspaper, has reported that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy and the Minister of Economic Affairs for Finland are in talks to finance a third Oasis-class vessel for Royal Caribbean International to be built at STX.
The shipyard is currently completing Viking Line’s Viking Grace, an LNG-powered cruise ferry, and is scheduled to begin construction for TUI Cruises on a newbuild this November, with a second ship option set to expire on Oct. 28.
Beyond that, there are no cruise orders for the yard and government officials may be presenting Royal Caribbean with an attractive financing package to stimulate economic growth and ensure employment.
Currently, Royal Caribbean has two 4,100-passenger Sunshine-class ships, at 158,000 tons each, on order at Germany’s Meyer Werft, with rumored options for more ships.