MSC Cruises Holds Coin Ceremony for MSC World Europa
MSC CRUISES USA | Tue Jun 30 00:00:00 CEST 2020
MSC CRUISES AND CHANTIERS DE L’ATLANTIQUE
CELEBRATE KEY CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE FOR LNG-PROPELLED MSC WORLD EUROPA
- MSC World Europa to become one of the most technologically- and environmentally-advanced LNG ships in its class
The 200,000-plus GT ship is scheduled to enter service in 2022 and be one of most technologically- and environmentally-advanced LNG-powered cruise vessels in its class, and the first ever to be built in France.
Zoe Africa Vago — daughter of Alexa Aponte-Vago and her husband Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman — and Aurore Bezard, from the HR Department of Chantiers de I’Atlantique, performed the traditional maritime ritual as godmothers. They represented both the ship owner and the shipbuilder when they placed two coins under the ship’s keel as the historical sign of blessing and good fortune for the project and the ship’s operational life at sea.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises, said: “MSC World Europa is further proof of our commitment to environmental stewardship as she is set to reduce carbon emissions even further than many other existing cruise ships powered by LNG, which is currently the most environmentally-friendly fuel for commercial maritime operations. With this vessel, we also reconfirm our belief in investing in advanced environmental technology to meet our long-term goal of zero emissions from operations.”
Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, added: “We are proud to start the building of a ship which will set the standards for the cruise of the future. This is a major milestone in the history of our 20-year cooperation with MSC Cruises, which has already resulted in some of the most innovative cruise ships ever built.”
MSC World Europa will feature a new 50-kilowatt demonstrator system that incorporates solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology and uses LNG to produce electricity and heat on board. This is the first time an LNG-powered fuel cell has been used on a cruise ship.
This SOFC solution fueled by LNG will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by about 30 percent compared with a conventional LNG engine, with no emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides or fine particles. It also offers the advantage of being compatible with LNG, as well as several low carbon fuels such as types of methanol, ammonia and hydrogen.
MSC World Europa will also feature a new generation wastewater treatment system that exceeds some of the world’s most stringent regulatory standards, as well other cutting-edge environmental technology.
MSC Cruises’ next flagship MSC Virtuosa is currently construction in Saint-Nazaire and readying for delivery next year. The Company also has firm orders with Chantiers de l’Atlantique for two additional LNG-powered ships, one each for the MSC World and Meraviglia classes of ships.
ENDS
MSC World Europa’s Specifications:
- Ship name: MSC World Europa
- Ship prototype: World Class
- Delivery date: 2022
- Gross tonnage (GT): 200,000-plus
- Length/Beam/Height: 1,093.5 ft./154 ft./223 ft.
About MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is the fastest growing cruise brand in the world. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is part of the Cruises Division of MSC Group, the privately-held Swiss-based leading shipping and logistics conglomerate.
MSC Cruises’ fleet of 17 modern and innovative ships is one of the most environmentally-advanced in the industry. The Company is committed to environmental stewardship and works to minimize and continuously reduce the environmental impact of its fleet both while at sea and ashore, as well as invest in the accelerated development of next-generation marine and environmental technologies. With a long-term goal to achieve zero emissions, MSC Cruises in 2020 became the first major global cruise line to offset 100 percent of its ships’ carbon emissions that cannot be abated through existing environmental technology (learn more about MSC Cruises’ environmental stewardship practices at https://www.msccruises.com/sustainability.)
MSC Cruises offers an enriching and immersive cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage. Guests can expect to find international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs and the very latest guest-friendly technology on board.
One of the Company’s main priorities has always been the health, safety and wellbeing of its guests and crew, as well as the communities at the destinations its ships serve, and MSC Cruises will introduce a new comprehensive and enhanced health and safety protocol to add to its existing stringent health and safety measures.
The MSC Cruises Division is investing an industry-unprecedented €20.2 billion EUR (≈$22 billion USD) and will bring up to 27 newly built ships into service between 2017 and 2030 to operate under the MSC Cruises brand and the new soon-to-be-announced luxury brand.