MSC Cruises celebrated two major milestones at the weekend with the floating out of MSC Euribia in France and the completion of MSC World Europa’s first set of sea trials in the Atlantic.
The line’s first two liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels are both under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard in Saint-Nazaire and a third LNG ship – World Class II – is due to start early next year.
MSC has invested €3bn in the three ships, and Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC’s executive chairman, said: “We made an important pledge last year to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, leading the cruise industry on the path to decarbonisation. MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia will play a fundamental role in this journey.
MSC World Europa on her first sea trials and, top of page, the floating out of MSC Euribia Images – Bernad Biger, Chantiers de l’Atlantique
“LNG is the cleanest marine fuel currently currently available at scale that reduces emissions significantly and also offers compatibility with future alternative fuel solutions for which we are actively investing in research and development, including a pilot LNG-powered solid oxide fuel cell onboard MSC World Europa. ”