Cross-border team advises Société Générale on export credit financing and delivery of cruise vessel “MSC World America”

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Société Générale and a syndicate of international banks on the BpiFAE-backed financing arrangements and delivery of MSC Cruises’ latest vessel, “MSC World America”.

The vessel, which is the latest iteration of MSC Cruises’ newest class of vessel, was delivered at Chantiers de l'Atlantique’s yard in Saint-Nazaire on 27 March 2025.

MSC World America is one of the most energy-efficient cruise ships in the world surpassing all design requirements under the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index. Her latest-generation engines run on LNG that enables a direct transition towards drop-in bio and synthetic renewable fuels. The ship is also equipped with shore power to allow the engines to be switched off while in connected ports.

Norton Rose Fulbright partner Simon Hartley and counsel Matthew Bambury led the London team advising on the deal. They were supported by associate Rebecca Daniels and trainees William Ford and Megan Lyttelton. The Paris team, advising on the French law aspects, was led by partner Christine Ezcutari, assisted by senior associate Ayaka Millet and associate Emilie Jacques.

Norton Rose Fulbright partner Simon Hartley said:

“We have very much appreciated being able to support Société Générale, and indirectly MSC, on the financing of this important project. The post-COVID recovery of the cruise industry has been incredibly pleasing to observe and this transaction further illustrates the current confidence, and related continued expansion, of this market.  It also recognises the importance of ESG, and particularly decarbonisation, in shaping the future of the market and the delivery of another vessel in this new class of vessel continues the move to drive the cruise industry in the right environmental direction.”

Norton Rose Fulbright’s shipping team offers the full range of legal services needed by today’s shipping companies. The team is particularly well known for its cruise sector expertise, acting for some of the largest, most renowned industry participants on both the operator and lender side. The team previously advised on the ECA-backed financing for two new LNG-powered ‘World Class’ cruise vessels for MSC Cruises, as well as on the circa $2bn financing of 4 ocean-going cruise vessels for Viking Ocean Cruises, a US$500 million secured facility for Abercrombie & Kent, the financing of two Orient Express cruise ships and an ECA-backed financing of Royal Caribbean’s latest “Oasis Class” vessel “Utopia of the Seas”.

The firm is globally recognised for having leading Shipping and Ship Finance practices. Simon Hartley is named as a Band 1 practitioner for shipping finance in Chambers Global 2025 and as a Leading Partner for Transport Finance and Leasing in the Legal 500, with Matthew Bambury listed as a Rising Star and Leading Associate in the same category.