Marseille’s CNM to undertake the first of AIDA Cruises Sphinx-class mid-life upgrade projects

Leading French ship repairer, Marseille-based Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNM) has been awarded the first three contracts in German cruise line AIDA Cruises’ ambitious mid-life upgrade project of its Sphinx-class vessels.

Work on the first vessel, the 2007-built AIDAdiva will start in early 2025, followed by the upgrading of AIDAluna in the autumn 2025 and AIDAbella in spring 2026.

Rostock-based AIDA Cruises is embarking on its bigger ever fleet upgrade programme – AIDA Evolution, which initially involves its Sphinx-class vessels.

The 71,300gt, 2,174 passenger capacity AIDAdiva will be in drydock in Marseille from February 3rd to March 22nd of 2025 – seven weeks. The vessel’s work package includes the extensive modernisation of passengers areas and public spaces, while technical equipment and systems will also upgraded, especially in line with fuel savings and environmental measures.

All passenger cabins will be totally refurbished, while the number of passenger suites will be increased.

Meanwhile, for the first time in this class of vessels, exclusive areas and services will be created.

The remaining vessels in the Sphinx-class include AIDAblu, AIDAsol, AIDAmar and AIDAstella.

Meanwhile, undergoing repair at CNM on June 4th were the following vessels:

• FSRU Toscana – Offshore Floating Storage and Regasification Unit, owned by Italy’s OLT Offshore LNG Toscana, Livorno. Undergoing an “extraordinary” maintenance project which will see the replacement of the vessel’s bearing in the mooring system. Work started in early April at CNM’s sister yard of San Giorgio del Porto, in Genoa, before the vessel was towed to Marseille in June for repairs to be completed at the end of October. This vessel was converted from the LNG carrier Golar Hilli
• Fantastic – 35,222gt 1996-built RoPax ferry, owned by Italy’s Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV)