STX Europe says NCL halves cruise ship order

OSLO, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Star Cruises unit Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has cancelled its order for a second "F3" cruise ship from shipbuilding group STX Europe , but will move ahead with the first order, STX said on Thursday.

The remaining 150,000 ton F3 cruise ship, which will be built by STX Europe's French shipyard, will carry a total of 4,200 passenger. Delivery is expected in late May 2010, as originally scheduled, STX said.

"The planned second vessel, currently only in the preparatory stages, will not be built," STX Europe, a unit of STX Shipbuilding <067250.ks>, said in a statement.

"With this agreement, we can all focus on completing the new vessel successfully," Chief Executive of NCL, Kevin Sheehan, said in the statement.

"We, along with our subcontractors, will now make the necessary adjustments to our plans for this project," head of STX France Cruise, Jacques Hardelay, said.

STX Europe has 15 shipyards in Finland, France, Norway, Romania, Brazil and Vietnam, and is a part owner of three yards in Germany and Ukraine.