Fincantieri: keel laying of the Queen Elizabeth, passenger ship for cunard line

Tuesday, Jul 07, 2009

Today at Monfalcone shipyard there was the keel laying of the passenger ship the Queen Elizabeth, ordered by Carnival group for the British shipowner, Cunard Line. Following the Queen Victoria, built at MarGhera shipyard in 2007, the delivery of the new passenger vessel is scheduled for autumn 2010.

Present at the ceremony were Carol marlow, President and General Director of Cunard Line, and, representing Fincantieri, Paolo Capobianco, Head of Monfalcone shipyard.

The Queen Elizabeth, at approximately 294 metres long and with a gross tonnage of around 92,000 tonnes, will be able to accommodate in her 1,046 cabins, over 2,500 guests in addition to a crew of 1,097. She will be one of the largest panamax ships built to date (i.e. able to pass through the Panama Canal).

The new vessel, as the ship which preceded her, the Queen Victoria, will be the natural development of the concept of the ocean liner in the tradition and style of Cunard, whose fleet has written important pages in the history of sea-faring. The Queen Elizabeth will be provided with a large number of luxury suites and mini suites, with especial care and attention given to materials and finer details. She will be the second largest ship ordered to date by the owner (following the Queen Mary).

Following the launch of the Azura for P&O Cruises, celebrated just a few days ago in Monfalcone, and the keel laying of the Queen Elizabeth today, Fincantieri is continuing its prestigious collaboration with the British market. Indeed, Cunard Line is the symbol of British tradition and classical style, with a history dating back to 1840.

The section laid in the dry dock is approximately 14 metres long, 32.2 wide and weighs 468 tons, of which 100 are outfitting.

Since 1990 Fincantieri has delivered 49 cruise ships, of which 46 for the six leading brands in Carnival Group. A further 13 vessels are under construction at the Group’s yards for delivery within 2012.

Source: Fincantieri