MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique announced today that the first of MSC’s next-generation ships, the World Europa, will have two 75 kW solid oxide fuel cells onboard running on natural gas. The gas will come from the LNG that will fuel the ship’s main engines.
Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, said in conjunction with the announcement that LNG will not only reduce the emissions of the new ship, but once green LNG becomes available on the scale, the ship will be able to operate at zero emissions.
For this reason, he said, he is encouraging producers, regulators and other stakeholders to accelerate its development and that of its supply chain.
In addition, he said that MSC is also studying other fuel technologies, such as hydrogen that could potentially be compatible with LNG engines.
Fuel cells offer another pathway and the two 75 kW units installed on the World Europa will serve as a test project in a real operational environment.
Today also served as the coin ceremony for another MSC ship, the Euribia, and to recognize the contributions of Valentina Mancini, corporate brand manager for MSC Cruises in Geneva, and from Chantiers, Anna Claire Juventin, who heads up the yard’s quality control, as godmother.
MSC Cruises has officially taken delivery of its new flagship, the MSC Seashore, from Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard. According to a press release, the 4,560-passenger Seashore is the largest cruise ship to be built in Italy.
Sister ship MSC Seascape is still under construction at the shipyard and is due to come into service in winter 2022.
MSC said that an intimate ceremony was held to mark the occasion as tradition dictates at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone and was attended in person by MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, other members of the Aponte and Aponte-Vago families, Giampiero Massolo and Giuseppe Bono, Chairman and CEO of Fincantieri, as well as representatives from MSC’s new builds team along with executives and workers from the shipyard.
During the ceremony, which pays tribute to centuries-old maritime traditions, Roberto Olivari, Fincantieri’s shipyard director, presented to Giuseppe Galano, master of the MSC Seashore, an ampoule containing the water that first touched the hull when the ship was floated out earlier this year.
“The construction of MSC Seashore is an investment that generates a direct and indirect economic impact of almost 5 billion euros on the Italian economy. At the same time, it’s coming into service also activates an important economic and employment driver for coastal communities and much beyond, generating a further significant economic impact every year for the tourism industry,” Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, said.
“Our new flagship is a further testament to our leadership in sustainability, with each new ship featuring the latest and most advanced environmental technology and solutions. Additionally, over and above our industry-leading health and safety protocol, the MSC Seashore is the first cruise ship in the world to feature a new and ground-breaking air sanitation system. ‘Safe Air’ uses UV-C lamp technology, eliminating 99 per cent of viruses and bacteria to guarantee clean and safe air for all guests and crew on board,” he added.
According to Vago, the Seashore demonstrates MSC’s commitment to “continuous innovation in terms of the guest experience.”
“She is, without doubt, our most stunning and sophisticated vessel to date and takes to a whole new level the already successful Seaside platform, with public spaces completely reimagined, a new secondary lounge and a broader offering both in terms of restaurants and retail options amongst many other new and much improved features. This will create a unique onboard experience for our guests this summer in the Mediterranean and during the Winter season when she will move to Miami to represent our full brand values with North American consumers,” Vago noted.
The CEO of Fincantieri, Giuseppe Bono, said that the MSC Seashore is the fourth cruise ship that the shipyard group has delivered in Italy during this “still extremely demanding year.”
“All these milestones, and others to come, have been successfully achieved and this is never taken for granted. This is why I consider this ship not only the best symbol of recovery for the whole cruise sector but also of the capability of the group to leverage its competencies and soundness to fully preserve our workload,” Bono said.
MSC has a long-term objective to achieve net carbon neutral operations by 2050. According to the cruise line, each new ship represents “another step towards this goal, alongside other investments to help accelerate the development of next-generation environmental technology.”
The MSC Seashore in particular features hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems, selective catalytic reduction systems, achieving a 98-per cent reduction of sulfur oxide emissions and reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 per cent.
The Seashore’s wastewater treatment system has been designed in line with the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 227(64) Resolution and achieves purification standards that are higher than most wastewater treatment facilities ashore, MSC said.
Several cruise lines are on their way back to U.S. homeports this summer. Cruise Industry News has studied some of the major players’ COVID-19 vaccine policies and restart plans.
Royal Caribbean International Ships: Freedom of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Independence of the Seas First Cruise: July 2, 2021 Homeports: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Seattle, Bayonne and Galveston Region: Caribbean, Bahamas and Alaska Vaccination required? Rules vary by ship
For Freedom, Odyssey, Allure, Symphony and Mariner sailing out of Florida ports in July and August, vaccines are “strongly recommended” for all eligible guests. Approximately 90 percent of the passengers are expected to be vaccinated, but those choosing not to be vaccinated or not willing to verify vaccination will be subject to testing and additional health protocols at their expense.
For the Serenade and Ovation from Seattle, the Independence from Galveston and the Oasis from Bayonne, guests will need to be fully vaccinated with the exemption only for children under 12. Children under 12 will need to be tested and subject to health protocols, with no additional charges for any testing.
Carnival Cruise Line Ships: Carnival Vista, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Miracle First Cruise: July 3, 2021 Homeports: Galveston, Miami and Seattle Region: Caribbean, Bahamas and Alaska Vaccination required? Yes – for 95% of the guests in July
The company noted, however, that it will be able to accommodate a “small number” of unvaccinated guests (children under 12) and allow a small number of exemptions.
Norwegian Cruise Line Ships: Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Breakaway First Cruise: August 7, 2021 Homeports: Seattle, Miami and New York Region: Alaska, Caribbean and Bermuda Vaccination required? Yes, initially
Norwegian Cruise Line will deploy three ships in the United States until September. With the new Norwegian Encore sailing to Alaska, the company is also planning to offer cruises to the Caribbean with the Norwegian Gem and to Bermuda with the Norwegian Breakaway.
All initial voyages will operate with fully vaccinated guests and crew.
Celebrity Cruises Ships: Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Equinox First Cruise: June 26, 2021 Homeports: Fort Lauderdale and Seattle Region: Alaska and Caribbean Vaccination required? Yes – guests over 16
According to the company’s website, all guests 16 years and older must be fully vaccinated with all COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing. As of August 1, 2021, all guests aged 12 and older will need to be fully vaccinated.
MSC Cruises Ships: MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina First Cruise: August 2, 2021 Homeports: Miami and Port Canaveral Region: Caribbean and Bahamas Vaccination required? No
According to MSC, the new itineraries will welcome both vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests. Those who are not vaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be subject to requirements such as additional testing, as well as restrictions, which are still to be announced.
Princess Cruises Ships: Majestic Princess First Cruise: July 25, 2021 Homeports: Seattle Region: Alaska Vaccination required? Yes
The cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination.
Holland America Line Ships: Nieuw Amsterdam First Cruise: July 24, 2021 Homeports: Seattle Region: Alaska Vaccination required? Yes
Welcoming the passengers back in Alaska, Holland America Line will return to service on July 24. On that day, the Nieuw Amsterdam will sail from Seattle for the first of 10 Saturday departures that will operate through Oct. 2.
Guests will be required to have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to embarkation and have proof of vaccination.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Ships: Grand Classica First Cruise: July 2, 2021 Homeports: Palm Beach Region: Bahamas Vaccination required? No
Bahamas Paradise will be one of the first cruise lines to resume service in the United States. After receiving a green light from the CDC to conduct a simulated sailing in June, the company plans to welcome the guests back next month. On July 2, the Grand Classica will restart its regular program of short cruises between Palm Beach and Freeport.
According to Bahamas Paradise website, guests will not need to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before boarding, while the crew will be fully vaccinated.
Silversea Cruises Ships: Silver Muse First Cruise: July 29, 2021 Homeports: Seattle Region: Alaska Vaccination required? Yes
According to the company, one of the measures to guarantee the health and safety of the operation, is making sure that all guests and crew are vaccinated against COVID-19.
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