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Carnival Confirms Order for Queen Mary 2 With ALSTOM

6 November 2000

Carnival Confirms Order for Queen Mary 2 With ALSTOM

    PARIS, Nov. 6 ALSTOM, through its subsidiary Chantiers
de l'Atlantique, has just received confirmation of the order for the
transatlantic ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, from Carnival Corporation.  The ship
will be built for its subsidiary, Cunard Line.
    Following a Letter of Intent signed on 9 March 2000, this order will lead
to the construction of the largest passenger vessel ever built.  At
approximately 150,000 tonnes, the vessel will measure 345 metres in length, 41
metres in breadth, and 72 metres in height, with a total of fifteen decks.
The height of the ship above water will be 62 metres, equivalent to a 23-floor
building.  Queen Mary 2 will accommodate over 2620 passengers and 1250 crew.
    The unique design of this ship is inspired by the prestigious tradition of
transatlantic cruise ships, combined with the latest technological innovations
(one of the last ships in this class, France, delivered in 1962, was also
built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique).
    The power generation system is ensured by two gas turbines and four Diesel
engines providing a total output of 118 megawatts.  More than two thirds of
this energy is used to power the four MerMaid(TM)* propulsion systems (the
largest of ever built), enabling the liner to reach speeds of around 30 knots
(over 50 km/30 miles per hour) with a minimum of noise and vibration.
    The passengers will benefit from a ball-room, as well as five swimming
pools, three of which will be situated on intermediate decks.  ALSTOM will
innovate its design to include five luxury duplex suites.
    Queen Mary 2 will be built by ALSTOM at Saint-Nazaire (France) with
delivery scheduled for the end of 2003.  The design and construction of the
vessel will be implemented to ensure compliance with the highest environmental
standards.

    * Electrical outboard engines providing propulsion and steering for the
ship.  These bulb-shaped engines, two of which can be turned 360 degrees,
significantly enhance manoeuvrability.

    ALSTOM is the global specialist in energy and transport infrastructure.
The company serves the energy market through its activities in the fields of
power generation, power transmission and distribution, power conversion and
electrical contracting and the transport market through its activities in rail
and marine.
    Following the full integration of the power generation activities, ALSTOM
today has annual sales in excess of 20 billion euros and employs more than
140,000 people in over 70 countries.