Electrical fire breaks out on AIDAprima

An electrical fire aboard AIDAprima is the latest setback for the ship currently under construction at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki, Japan.

An alarm was raised at 8.30pm local time last night. The shipyard’s own fire brigade together with local authorities quickly contained the fire. Crew and workers were evacuated as a precaution. No injuries have been reported.

The 125,000 gross ton vessel was originally expected to launch in early 2015. The delivery date has been pushed back several times, first to October, then December, and most recently to April 2016. Changes to the design, materials and interior specifications have all contributed to the delays. It is yet unclear if the fire will push the delivery date back further.

AIDAprima completed her third set of sea trials last month.

AIDAprima is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ first large cruise liner to be built for Carnival Corporations’ AIDA Cruises. The order for two ships was placed in 2011 and originally believed to be worth a combined ¥100 billion (£588 million). By December 2015 the Japanese shipbuilder had already booked ¥160 billion (£941 million) in extraordinary losses, blaming “difficulties involved in the construction of the prototype” for some of the losses.

The ship is one of four ordered by Carnival Corporation to launch this year. Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam is due to be delivered in April along with Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista. Seabourn’s Seabourn Encore is due for delivery later in the year. Several other lines are also expected to take delivery of new cruise ships this year. Royal Caribbean International will take delivery of Harmony of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas. Regent Seven Seas Cruises will take delivery of Seven Seas Explorer and Viking Ocean Cruises will take delivery of Viking Sea.

(Photo credit to AIDA Cruises)