Costa Asia to Build Two Ships for Chinese Market

Costa Asia has unveiled plans to build two new ships for China.

The ships, each with 135,500 gross tons and capable of carrying 4,200 guests, will be manufactured in Italy.

They will be specifically designed for the Chinese market, joining the fleet in 2019 and 2020.

Costa Asia’s new ships are part of a memorandum of agreement signed by Carnival and Fincantieri to build four new ships by 2020 at the company’s shipyards in Monfalcone and Marghera, Italy. Final contracts are expected to be executed in 2016.

“We are confident that China will become one of the most preeminent cruise markets,” said Buhdy Bok, Costa Group Asia President. “The two new ships that will be tailor-made for the Chinese market will further enhance our Asia fleet and provide Chinese travelers with a variety of vacation options and experiences to meet growing demand across all segments of the market.”

Costa Asia entered the Chinese market in 2006, and today there are three Costa ships deployed in China and Asia year-round: Costa Atlantica, Costa Victoria and Costa Serena. A fourth ship, Costa Fortuna, will be added in April 2016.

Specific features and amenities for the two new ships, along with deployment details, are expected to be revealed in the coming months.