OREANDA-NEWS. July 26, 2013. ArcelorMittal has been selected by the STX France shipyard in St Nazaire to supply 100% of the steel for the hull and 20 bridges in the world’s biggest cruise ship.

The world’s leading steel and mining company has signed a contract to supply more than 40,000 tonnes of plates and coils from its European sites.

Coils produced at Fos-sur-Mer in France will be processed into sheets by ArcelorMittal’s St Nazaire Distribution Solutions unit, which will then deliver them to STX France.

The plates are being produced by ArcelorMittal Gijon in Spain and shipped  to St Nazaire.

Deliveries will start in September 2013, when construction of the hull will begin.

Herve Bourrier, CEO, ArcelorMittal France said: "This contract demonstrates our ability to deliver high quality steels and tailored services from our European industrial and sales units, and confirms our long-term presence as a steel supplier to the cruise ship market, one that has seen consistent growth over the last five years."

The ship, which will have around 2,700 cabins, will be delivered in 2016 to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL).

The vessel is one of RCCL’s  ‘Oasis-class’ cruise liners, the world’s largest and longest passenger ships. Passengers can enjoy themed areas, with a ‘Central Park’ and ‘Boardwalk’ – two outdoor areas – running down the middle of the ship.