Carnival will maintain an incorporation in Panama, executive director Arnold Donald has announced, keeping some vessels’ registration under the Panamanian flag.
“The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), expresses its gratitude for Carnival’s decision in maintaining trade relations for over half a century with our institution”, the AMP said.
Carnival has some 20 cruise ships flying the flag of Panama, including the Mardi Gras (IMO 9837444), which is under construction at the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland.
“It was a privilege for the Panama Merchant Marine to flag Mardi Gras, said Noriel Arauz of the AMP. Mardi Gras will have a capacity of 6,630 persons (about 5,282 passengers and 1,745 crew members) and is expected to be delivered at the end of October.
She will be the first representative of Carnival’s XL class, a subclass of Excellence class. Two more sister ships are scheduled to be delivered, beginning in 2022. At 180,000 gross tonnage (GT), she will be the largest ship in the Carnival fleet.