MSC Cruises has chosen Barcelona as its main port this summer for shore excursions to be operated by electric buses as part of the line’s ongoing sustainability drive, the company said, adding that it is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emission operations by 2050.
Daily excursions for guests from the Spanish port number between 20 and 25 journeys and the use of electric buses will make an annual saving of nearly 10,500 kilograms of CO2 emissions compared to petrol-driven vehicles., according to a statement.
The electric buses are also significantly quieter and reduce potential noise impact on local communities.
MSC Cruises estimates that the new electric buses will transport up to 2,000 passengers every week during the summer from Barcelona and it is working with local tour operators to increase the figure to 4,000 customers with the introduction of more eco-friendly buses to join its sustainable ground transport fleet.
The busses will be available this summer for cruise passengers calling at Barcelona onboard the MSC Armonia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Lirica, MSC Magnifica, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Opera, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia, MSC Seaview and MSC Virtuosa.
MSC Cruises’ new 11,670 square meter cruise terminal at Barcelona is due to open in 2024 and sustainability credentials will be incorporated into the building. The new cruise terminal is on track to be ‘Gold Rated’ under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – LEED – standard, a widely used global green building rating system.
Meyer Werft is entering the refurbishment business with the establishment of Meyer Re, backed up by the group’s array of cruise ship component suppliers and 1,300 engineers that have designed and produced newbuild after newbuild.
“We have all the knowledge, engineers and project managers,” said Alexander W. Höfling, head of Meyer Re, who said the company is adapting to the futures market, where there may be fewer new buildings, but continued refurbishment projects.
“We don’t have our own drydock, so we are looking to partner with existing repair shipyards, who are not our competitors but our partners,” Höfling said. “With our competencies, we are partnering and offering these services to the repair yards which will enable them to do the job even better.”
The Meyer Group owns some 27 suppliers, Höfling said, which account for about one-third of components supplied to a new cruise ship. Those companies are all now entering the refurb business through Meyer Re, including Meyer’s cabin manufacturing production lines.
That means an existing cruise line could place an order for hundreds or thousands of new cabins that would roll off an assembly line.
To start with, Meyer Re is targeting ships the company has built, although the services are open to any passenger’s vessel.
“We have all the knowledge (on our ships), digital twin data, 3D information and more … it’s 12 terabytes per ship,” Höfling said.
Among the trends, he continued, is the push toward sustainability.
“On the new building (side) we are focused on future fuels, including LNG, methanol, fuel cells and others on the list,” he continued, pointing out these technologies could be on the table for refits in the future.
“There are some areas where (cruise ships) won’t be able to sail (due to emission rules). There is huge pressure on the industry to adapt and we have the engineers and knowledge to contribute to that,” Höfling said.
Energy optimization is another key focus area.
“We are offering cruise lines our energy optimization solutions, analyzing ships’ operational profiles with weather data, and we can make suggestions, including a new bulbous bulb or a ducktail,” he continued.
Artificial intelligence is a core part of that through the company’s Alfred arm. Perhaps named after Batman’s caretaker, Alfred is available to analyze and interpret the mountains of data flowing off a cruise ship.
“We have our own algorithms to further optimize energy consumption. It’s one thing to replace fuel with future fuel, but it is another thing to save energy now. You may not need a big fuel cell if you can reduce your hotel load.”
With 75 per cent of its construction finished, the 208,000-ton vessel remains at the building dock of the former MV Werften in Wismar, Germany. Previously owned by Genting, the shipyard has changed hands recently and is now controlled by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
After six months in limbo, the Crystal Endeavor continues to wait for a decision regarding its future.
The 2021-built expedition vessel is currently anchored off Gibraltar and has been recently associated with Silversea Cruises. So far, however, no official announcement has been made by any of the involved parties.
World Dream Previous Brand: Dream Cruises Year Built: 2017 Capacity: 3,400 guests Location: Singapore Anchorage Status: Awaiting decision/buyer
Another ship waiting for a decision regarding its future, the World Dream remains anchored off Singapore.
Crystal Serenity Previous Brand: Crystal Cruises Year Built: 2003 Capacity: 980 guests Location: Enroute to Trieste, Italy Status: Sold to A&K Travel Group
After spending several months arrested in the Bahamas, the Crystal Serenity was auctioned in June and is now sailing to Italy.
Along with its sister ship Crystal Symphony, the 2003-built vessel was acquired by A&K Travel Group. The new owners, who also bought the Crystal Cruises brand and other assets, plan to relaunch the luxury company in 2023.
Crystal Symphony Previous Brand: Crystal Cruises Year Built: 1995 Capacity: 848 guests Location: Enroute to Trieste, Italy Status: Sold to A&K Travel Group
Previously arrested in the Bahamas, the Crystal Symphony is ailing in Italy following a judicial auction.
Explorer Dream Previous Brand: Dream Cruises Year Built: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 guests Location: Port Klang, Malaysia Status: Awaiting decision/buyer
The Explorer Dream is currently anchored off Port Klang, in Malaysia. Formerly operated by Dream Cruises, the 1999-built vessel continues to wait for a decision regarding its future.
After spending most of the pandemic offering domestic cruising in Taiwan, the former SuperStar Virgo arrived in Malaysia in March.
SuperStar Aquarius Previous Brand: Star Cruises Year Built: 1993 Capacity: 1,529 guests Location: Southeast Asia Status: Expected to be scrapped
After being re-flagged and renamed in May, the ex-SuperStar Aquarius is currently named Arius, under St. Kitts and Nevis flag.
Expected to be scrapped along with other former Star Cruises ships, the vessel left Southeast Asia in May for what was believed to be its final trip. Instead of sailing to a ship-breaking yard, however, the 1993-built vessel sailed to Sri Lanka, where, according to the local media, it will stay laid up for the next month.
SuperStar Gemini Previous Brand: Star Cruises Year Built: 1992 Capacity: 1,472 guests Location: Port Klang, Malaysia Status: Expected to be scrapped
Like its sister ship, the former SuperStar Gemini arrived in Sri Lanka recently for a month-long layup.
Also expected to be scrapped, the 30-year-old cruise ship saw a change of name and registry as well, now called Gem under the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Star Pisces Previous Brand: Star Cruises Year Built: 1991 Capacity: 1,384 guests Location: Southeast Asia Status: To be scrapped
The Star Pisces is set to be dismantled in India. After leaving Southeast Asia in late May, the vessel arrived in Alang earlier this month and is expected to be beached soon.
Previously operated by the Star Cruises brand, the former cruise ferry used to offer one-night cruises departing from the port of Hong Kong.
The Taipan Previous Brand: Star Cruises Year Built: 1989 Capacity: 64 guests Location: Penang, Malaysia Status: Sold to OM Ships
Previously Genting’s smallest ship, The Taipan was sold to OM Ships in May. The German religious organization’s famous plans to transform the 1989-built vessel into a missionary ship and floating bookshop.
Before entering service for its new owners, the 32-cabin mega yacht is set to undergo a major transformation in a yet-to-be-named shipyard in Asia.
SuperStar Libra Previous Brand: Star Cruises/MV Werften Year Built: 1988 Capacity: 1,494 guests Location: Aliaga, Turkey Status: Beached for scrapping
The SuperStar Libra is now being dismantled in Turkey after being beached for scrapping at the Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard in May.
