It was Feb. 23, 2024, when Viking first announced that it had confidentially submitted a draft registration statement on Form F-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to the proposed initial public offering of its ordinary shares. And now, the company has publicly filed a registration statement on Form F-1 with the SEC — a decision that could indicate an acceleration of ocean ship deliveries and options for four more vessels.
According to a Viking press release, “the number of ordinary shares to be offered, and the price range for the proposed offering, have not yet been determined. The proposed offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.”
If finalized, Viking plans to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker label “VIK.”
BofA Securities and J.P. Morgan are serving as lead underwriters and representatives for the proposed offering, while UBS Investment Bank and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as lead book-running managers. Meanwhile, HSBC and Morgan Stanley are serving as book-runners for the proposed offering, and Rothschild & Co and Stifel are acting as co-managers.
Viking already has launched 10 ocean cruise ships with a 930-guest capacity — including Viking Sun turned Chinese-registered Zhao Shang Yi Dun — and it is now planning another 10 slightly larger ships that will carry 998 passengers each. Viking Vela will be the 11th, coming online later this year in December, while Viking Vesta will bring the total to 12 in 2025. And an unnamed 13th ship is scheduled for 2026.
“In January 2024, we amended the shipbuilding contracts to accelerate the delivery dates for Ship XIV, Ship XV and Ship XVI,” the company said in its filing, as quoted by Cruise Industry News. “Ship XIV, Ship XV and Ship XVI are now scheduled to be delivered in the years 2026, 2027 and 2028, respectively.”
Viking also has options for its 17th and 18th ships for 2029, and its 19th and 20th vessels for 2030.
