And So It Begins! First Steel Cut for Holland America Line’s New ms Nieuw Statendam
Holland America Line celebrated a significant construction milestone Friday as the first steel was cut for ms Nieuw Statendam, due for delivery in November 2018. The ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, and the block being built there will later be moved to the Marghera yard where the ship will be constructed. Holland America Group’s Executive Vice President of Fleet Operations Keith Taylor was at the yard for the event.
The first piece of steel is cut for Nieuw Statendam.
The 99,500-ton ship — the 15th in the fleet — is the second Pinnacle Class vessel for Holland America Line, joining sister-ship ms Koningsdam. The steel cutting follows a period of design and development for the 2,650-guest ship that will feature enhanced Pinnacle Class amenities and innovations.
“This is an exciting time for Holland America Line, and Nieuw Statendam’s steel cutting is a milestone that signifies our continued growth and evolution as a company and a brand,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “With Pinnacle Class we have been able to try new things, expand our horizons and push boundaries, and while Nieuw Statendam is a sister to Koningsdam, we do have some new ideas that will be revealed in time.”
Celebrating the steel cutting, from left: Guido Cucciniello, Fincantieri project manager for Nieuw Statendam; Martin Vos, vice president of site management for Carnival Corporation; Taylor and Oddo.
This is the 16th ship built for Holland America Line by Italian shipyard Fincantieri, which most recently constructed Koningsdam.
Who’s looking forward to cruising on Nieuw Statendam?
It will be interesting to watch the up dates as she grows. Hope to one day take a cruise on her.
Allan
Cant wait. Looking forward to its christening cruise! Sometime november 2018 perhaps? Somewhere in europe i guess?
My husband and I sailed on the last voyage of the Statendam to Singapore. I would love to sail on the new Statendams first voyage. Do you know where that will go.
A Mariners Star 4+ we look forward to sailing on this latest ship addition to Holland America!!!!
Hope the Nieuw Statendam starts in the Caribbean so my wife and I can sail on her.
The only cruise line for my husband and me. Service and staff are beyond exceptional.
Love Holland America Ships!!
Cannot wait to learn about the new ideas you plan to design into this fabulous new ship….will be keeping an eye on your blog, and breathlessly waiting for 11/18!
The Statendam was the first ship my wife and I sailed on. We ultimately sailed on her five times. We are looking forward to sailing on the new Nieuw Statendam.
Love to see new ships coming!! So exciting!
WHY FOLLOW THE PACK WITH BIGGER SHIPS , GO SMALLER WITH MORE CLASS!
Can’t wait. Booked on her first cruise from Rome to Fort Lauderdale in Dec 2018. Can’t wait to see the difference between Koeningsdam and her.
My husband and I were on the maiden voyage of the Koningsdam, and we’re now booked in February on the Nieuw Statendam. Can’t wait! Holland America is #1 in our book. We even spent our honeymoon on Zuiderdam in 2006.