years. BNP Paribas, Citi, Nordea Bank and
SEB have each committed to provide 25
percent of the financing and each has a
seven year put option. The company has
an option of a floating or fixed rate of interest.
One month prior to settling the finances, on 20 November, Allure reached
its natural element as the valves of the
shipyard’s dry dock were turned on and
the vessel was launched. The hard-working crew at STX Finland is certainly wasting no time, keeping in mind that Oasis of
the Seas was handed over to the owners
at the end of October.
REPEAT MIRACLE
According to Toivo Ilvonen, the Allure of
the Seas is just as complex – all things considered – as its predecessor. However, a
sister ship is more straightforward to produce since it is a part of a series and the
design work has already been completed.
“Both in its innovativeness and other features, the Allure of the Seas is the
twin of the Oasis of the Seas, excluding
some colour and material changes,” Ilvonen explains.
The project has progressed on schedule, and presently over 60% of the work
has been finished. Once the Allure of the
Seas is moored at the outfitting quay, the
next step will be interior outfitting.
CEO Landtman perceives the Oasis
concept to be one of the key strengths of
the company while STX Finland is further
reinforcing its global position as the leading builder of large passenger vessels. ■
SAMI J. ANTEROINEN
12
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