By the Caribbean Journal staff

Carnival Cruise Line has officially cut the first steel on its newest ship, set to be the first-ever ship in North America operating on liquefied natural gas.

The ship, which will be the largest ship the company has ever built, is set for delivery in 2020.

A second LNG ship will launch construction in 2020.

“This new ship promises to be truly special, from its groundbreaking technology and one-of-a-kind features to its distinctive livery and hull design that is both timeless and forward-thinking while paying tribute to our nearly 50-year history of making wonderful vacation memories for our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

The ship, which does not yet have a name, will homeport in Port Canaveral, Fla. beginning in 2020.

Carnival said it would announce the ship’s name in December.

“The start of construction of this amazing ship is a historic day for our company as we are laying the foundation for an unparalleled seagoing vacation experience that will be like no other and take our cruise offerings to the next level,” Duffy said.