Viking Ocean Cruises and Fincantieri have signed a contract for the construction of two super luxury cruise ships.

Representing Viking Ocean Cruises was the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Torstein Hagen while Fincantieri was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Giuseppe Bono.

At 47,000 gross tones with 472 cabins for a total passenger capacity of 944, the two vessels are destined to serve the market of smaller super-luxury ships. Delivery is scheduled for early 2015 and early 2016.

A crucial factor in Fincantieri’s successful bid was Export Banca, the system set up by SACE, Cassa depositi e prestiti and Simest to support Italian exports which enabled Fincantieri to offer the shipowner an attractive technical, commercial and financial package.

The signing of this important agreement is proof that the Italian system is competitive and able to offer effective solutions for the export of capital goods, even in today’s turbulent financial markets.