MSC Cruises signs deal for two sustainable ships

MSC Cruises has ordered two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessels with French ship builder, Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

This sees the two World Class options confirmed as firm orders with an option for a fifth ship. The two new ordered vessels – currently referred to as World Class 3 and 4 – will be delivered in 2026 and 2027.

To date, MSC Cruises has built 18 ships through its partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

The company’s two existing World Class ships, MSC World Europa and MSC World America are already energy efficient. The new ships will be an evolution of the state-of-the-art World Class prototype with innovative solutions to maximize the energy efficiency, further reducing their carbon footprint.

In addition, the new ships will be ready for a variety of alternative fuels including bio and synthetic methane and green methanol. The ships will also be fitted with the next generation dual fuel internal combustion engines with reduced methane slip.

 “We are committed to researching and investing in future environmental technologies as they become available, to ensure we continue progressing on our decarbonization journey to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises.  

The new World Class vessels will feature shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce carbon emissions in port, the most advanced wastewater treatment systems designed in line with the IMO, new advances in waste management, and a comprehensive range of onboard energy efficient equipment to optimize engine use and hotel energy needs to further reduce emissions.

The two new orders will be subject to access to financing, as per industry practice.