Is NCL’s F3 Project In Trouble?

There are several reports out today that Aker Shipyards and NCL Corporation have hit a snag in the construction of the new F3 project ships.

According to reports, NCL and Aker shipyard are in a legal dispute about the first of the vessels which, at 150,000 tons, is 60 percent larger than the line's existing ships. Some reports even have NCL informing employees that the first F3 ship has been cancelled, though the entire project may go forward with later ships still in the earlier stages of development.

The first of the 4,200-passenger F3 ships was slated for delivery in March 2010. Seatrade Insider reported Sept. 19 that Aker is shopping around the F3 project, for which the keel was laid in April. The yard approached Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and MSC Cruises, Seatrade reported. The problems with the $2 billion F3 project apparently center on the cost of major changes in the prototype. NCL had promised the ship would be unlike any other, with no main restaurant, no main show lounge and no Lido café. The “New Wave” staterooms have curved walls. The company’s last major announcement on the ship revealed plans for an ice bar and other hip nightlife venues more akin to South Beach or Las Vegas. But the ship’s differences could make it difficult for another company to pick up the prototype without making major changes.

While building the ships is a challenge in itself, the 50 percent sale of NCL to Apollo Management last August seems to have added to the hindrance, with Apollo wanting more of a voice in design implementation. NCL said it had no comment on the issue.

I'll stay on top of this, of course, and report back when there is new, more concrete information.