CroisiEurope Lays First Blocks of the MS Loire Princesse in Saint-Nazaire

CroisiEurope began to assemble the MS Loire Princesse, the line’s newest, 295-foot ship, on Dry Dock B at STX France. In February 2014, CroisiEurope chose NEOPOLIA to build the MS Loire Princesse and STX France, a NEOPOLIA network partner was chosen to provide its skills and infrastructures for final assembly.

The keel laying took place early this week as the ship’s two central blocks were put in position. Built by MECASOUD and weighing between 110 and 120 tons each, the central blocks were transferred to the shipyard’s dry dock in Saint-Nazaire.

The bow and stern blocks are still under construction at MECASOUD and will soon be transferred for assembly. The engines will be installed at the end of September and the aluminum superstructures and paddles will be installed in October. The ship will be transferred to the launching dock during the first weeks of November, where the MS Loire Princesse’s 48-cabin outfitting will begin.  

The MS Loire Princesse will accommodate six to eight-day cruises on the Loire River beginning in 2015, visiting numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites including, Saint-Nazaire, Ancenis, Angers, the Châteaux of the Loire Valley, Saumur, Bouchemaine and Nantes.

Designed by Stirling Design International, this project brought together more than 12 NEOPOLIA network businesses. It is not only a commercial success for NEOPOLIA, but solidifies a partnership between the customer and its contracting associates.

For more information, visit www.croisieuroperivercruises.com.