Meyer Werft: Keel Laid for P&O Cruises’ Next-Generation Ship

German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has held a keel laying ceremony for a new cruise vessel to be built for British P&O Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation. 

Held on May 29, the keel laying ceremony marked the official start for assembling the hull of the new flagship of P&O Cruises’ fleet.

According to the shipbuilder, block 1B measures 21.5 meters in length, 19.4 meters in width and 9.8 meters in height. It weighs 461 tons and is part of the future fore ship of the new cruise newbuild.

To be named Iona, the ship is expected to be handed over to its owner in spring 2020.

With a gross tonnage of 180,000 tons and a capacity for 5,200 passengers, the ship has been described as Britain’s biggest cruise ship.

As explained by Meyer Werft, Iona is one of the first ever cruise ships to be powered 100% by LNG, making it particularly environmentally friendly.

In January 2018, the Carnival Corporation announced that another ship would be built for P&O. Like its sister vessel Iona, the newbuild will have a gross tonnage of 180,000 tons and a capacity for 5,200 passengers. The LNG-fueled cruise ship will be delivered to the company in spring 2022.