Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said its fleet of ships powered
by liquefied natural gas (LNG) will expand to three by 2025 with a new order for another
Icon-class ship.
Royal's first two LNG-powered Icon ships are scheduled for
arrival in 2022 and 2024. The Meyer Turku yard in Finland is building all three.
The order for the third ship is subject to financing. RCCL did not put a value
on the ship.
The previous ships were announced at 200,000 gross tons with
a capacity for 5,000 passengers.
In addition to being powered by LNG, the Icon ships will
serve as a test platform for evolving fuel cell power technology being
developed by Swedish engineering giant ABB.