Keel Laying Ceremony for Celebrity Xcel
The keel laying ceremony for Celebrity Xcel was held at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, on June 13, 2024.
At the ceremony, Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Celebrity Cruises, Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique lowered the first 739-ton steel block for the new ship in the dry dock. Executives from the cruise company and the shipyard placed newly minted coins on the first piece of steel to bestow good luck on the ship during both the construction process and future sailings.
“Today, we not only mark the start of construction, but we are laying the foundation on which countless memories will be created,” Jason Liberty pointed out.
“Each new ship also represents an opportunity to advance our journey to net zero, and with Xcel, we are building our first methanol capable ship, which helps advance our transition to the energy platform of the future.”
Remarks from Leaders
“The Edge Series is the result of close collaboration between the Celebrity Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique teams,” Laurent Castaing said.
“We know and trust one another, and work in harmony to offer a unique and sustainable experience for passengers.”
Ordered in 2019, Celebrity Xcel will play a crucial role in advancing Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to sustainability with the first tri-fuel capable engine. This new engine will offer fuel flexibility, capable of using three types of fuel, including methanol. This innovation marks a significant step towards the company’s Destination Net Zero vision for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
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Source: Offshore-Energy
