MSC Cruises to Reduce Fleetwide Emissions by Up to 15%

Posted on 6 August, 2024 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Magnifica is anchored in the Firth of Forth just under the Forth Railway Bridge for more Images of Magnifica follow the link.https://flic.kr/s/aHsm7BUfg3

MSC Cruises is set to reduce fleetwide emissions by up to 15 per cent in 2026 by implementing a new itinerary planning optimization tool, OptiCruise, according to a press release.

Developed in collaboration with OPTIMeasy, the new mathematical model reportedly analyzes various factors influencing the planning of MSC Cruises’ itineraries. The goal is to achieve maximum efficiency while maintaining or enhancing guest satisfaction, the company stated.

The MSC Bellissima was selected to test the prototype technology over 12 months while sailing between 17 ports in the Mediterranean Sea.

Michele Francioni, chief energy transition officer at MSC Cruises, said: “We have identified and developed this new technology to optimize the decision-making process of itinerary planning to further reduce emissions across our fleet from 2026.

“The OPTIMeasy team calculates that the average fuel savings made, and emissions reduced by using OptiCruise are in the range of 10-15 per cent which is a significant step forward in our ambition to achieve our net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 for our marine operations.”

According to the company, voyage planning in the global cruise industry has traditionally focused on the appeal of ship destinations to potential holidaymakers.

OptiCruise aims to expand this approach by incorporating a range of factors that affect itinerary efficiency. These include the sequencing of port calls, departure and arrival times, a ship’s speed, destination attractiveness, shore excursions and operational costs such as fuel, port charges and food provisions.

The tool’s algorithms analyze this data to identify optimized itineraries that maintain guest appeal while enhancing energy efficiency.

MSC Cruises’ strategy to reach net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 for its marine operations centres on three key areas: ship and engine technology, operational efficiency and renewable fuels. OptiCruise falls under the operational efficiency category, aiming to enhance energy consumption through increased digitalization.

OptiCruise was developed under the European Union’s Project CHEK, which explores low-carbon shipping technologies and innovative designs.

MSC: 7 Cruise Ships for Winter 2025-26 in North America

Posted on 31 May, 2024 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises is deploying seven ships in the United States for the winter 2025-26 season, the most for the cruise line to date in the market.

The ships will be based at four homeports, another North American milestone for the brand, in Miami, Port Canaveral, New York City and Galveston, according to a press release.

Highlights of winter 2025-26 include MSC Grandiosa’s debut in the U.S. from Port Canaveral; MSC Cruises’ inaugural season sailing from Galveston; MSC World America’s first winter season sailing from Miami following her debut in April 2025; and most itineraries calling at the enhanced Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, president of MSC Cruises USA, said: “The winter 2025-2026 season will mark our largest presence in the U.S. to date, with seven ships sailing from U.S. homeports. We are delighted to provide our guests more choices than ever before when it comes to embarkation ports, ships, itineraries and destinations, making it easy to find the perfect cruise.

“We look forward to introducing MSC Grandiosa to Port Canaveral, launching MSC Seascape from Galveston and offering a new world of cruising aboard MSC World America for our guests embarking in Miami. Combining world-class entertainment, dining and amenities onboard with the fantastic updates coming to Ocean Cay makes for an incredibly exciting future, which is perfect for everyone from first-time cruisers to our most devoted fans.”

The MSC Grandiosa will offer alternating seven-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean with a selection of three- and four-night cruises aboard the MSC Seashore sailing to Nassau and Ocean Cay.

The season will also mark MSC Cruises’ first sailings from the Port of Galveston, with the MSC Seascape. The ship will operate seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries with visits to Costa Maya, Isla de Roatan and Cozumel.

From Miami, MSC World America will operate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, calling at Isla de Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Puerto Plata among other destinations. The Seaside will sail a range of three-, four- and seven-night itineraries while the Divina will sail longer itineraries to the Caribbean.

From New York, the Meraviglia will sail on seven-night itineraries to Florida and The Bahamas, calling in Port Canaveral (Florida), Nassau and Ocean Cay.

PortMiami Reports Increased Economic Impact in 2023

Posted on 20 May, 2024 by Spacejunkie2

PortMiami’s annual economic impact has grown to $61.4 billion, up from $41.4 billion in 2016, according to a study conducted by Martin Associates, according to a press release.

The study measured PortMiami’s impact in terms of jobs, business revenue, consumer spending and state and local taxes. PortMiami has contributed $2.2 billion in state and local taxes, of which $1.6 billion is attributed to port users. Additionally, 340,078 jobs are supported by port activity, including 29,423 direct local jobs.

“PortMiami is not only one of Miami-Dade County’s most important economic engines, its economic impact is also felt regionally and globally,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “This report confirms the seaport’s vital role in supporting good-paying local jobs and contributing to the growth of our community, in addition to our commitment to resilience and reducing our carbon footprint with shore power and our net zero plan.”

Highlights of the 2023 study:

$61.4 billion in total economic activity, which accounts for 3.9 per cent of the $1.6 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the state of Florida.
$2.2 billion in state and local taxes, of which $1.6 billion is attributed to Port users.
340,078 jobs supported by port activity, including 29,423 direct local jobs.

The economic impact analysis was based on data obtained through interviews and telephone survey programs of the seaport’s tenants and the companies providing cruise and cargo services at PortMiami. In addition, a survey of cruise passengers and crew was conducted to develop passenger spending profiles pre- and post-cruise as well as the spending characteristics of the crew during each port call at Miami.

“The seaport continues to play a critical role in the economic vitality of our region. We will continue to invest in our infrastructure to ensure that PortMiami remains a world-class cruise and cargo port,” said Hydi Webb, director and CEO, of PortMiami. “I want to thank all the seaport’s partners for their unrelenting support. Our continued growth and success are a result of strong collaborations.”