PROJECT GENESIS - CONSTRUCTION BEGUN

Frankfurt - The keel of what will be the world's biggest passenger ship has been laid down at the Aker shipyard in Finland marking the beginning of the construction phase of what has been dubbed "Project Genesis."When completed the vessel will be 360 metres in length, have space for 5,400 passengers and be 40 per cent larger than the present record holder, according to the ship's owners, Royal Caribbean International.

The ship is due to start service in autumn 2009 and will be based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Each berth will cost 230,000 dollars to build, making Project Genesis the most expensive cruise ship ever.

Royal Caribbean plans to launch two vessels in this class. The second ship is expected to be completed by August 2010.

Facilities aboard the ships will include a "surf park for wave riders, a climbing wall and an ice rink. The gross tonnage of the 71 metre wide and 73 metre high ship is 220 000 tonnes," the company said.

Currently the largest passenger ships afloat are the Royal Caribbean's two Freedom Class vessels that weigh 160 000 tonnes each.

The Freedom Class is due to get a third ship in May next year when the "Independence of the Seas" is launched.