MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique have celebrated two LNG newbuild milestones. While MSC World Europa, MSC Cruises’ first LNG-powered vessel completed its first set of sea trials MSC Euribia was floated out.
MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique have celebrated two important milestones for MSC Cruises’ first two liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels both under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France.
MSC World Europa, the first LNG vessel to join the cruise line’s fleet and set to become the biggest LNG-powered cruise ship in the world, completed her first set of sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean that included testing the performance of the ship’s engines, manoeuvrability, fuel consumption, safety systems, speed and stopping distances.
Meanwhile, MSC Euribia was floated out and has now been moved to a wet dock for work to continue on the ship before she also joins MSC Cruises’ fleet in June 2023.
MSC has invested €3 billion in three LNG-powered cruise ships and the construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard in Saint-Nazaire of the third ship – ‘World Class II’ – is due to start early next year.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division of MSC Group, said: “We made an important pledge last year to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, leading the cruise industry on the path to decarbonisation. MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia will play a fundamental role in this journey.
“LNG is the cleanest marine fuel currently currently available at scale that reduces emissions significantly and also offers compatibility with future alternative fuel solutions for which we are actively investing in research and development, including a pilot LNG-powered solid oxide fuel cell onboard MSC World Europa. If bio or synthetic LNG was available at scale today, both our newbuilds could operate with net zero emissions from the very first day.”
MSC World Europa – next-generation cruise experience
MSC World Europa is the first in the trailblazing MSC World Class and will be able to accommodate up to 6,762 passengers.
Boasting future-proof marine and onboard hospitality technologies, MSC World Europa will redefine the cruise experience with a variety of never-before-seen concepts and creative areas unlike anything at sea today. The ground-breaking design features a Y-shaped aft that leads to the impressive 104-metre long half-open half-covered Europa Promenade with breathtaking ocean views. Brand new balcony cabins overlook the stunning promenade, which features a striking architectural centrepiece in the form of The Venom Drop @ The Spiral, an 11-deck-high slide, the longest at sea.
MSC World Europa will debut in the Arabian Sea in winter 2022/23 with MSC Cruises set to deploy its largest ever capacity in the Middle East for the season as it aims to strengthen its position as the region’s market leader for holidays at sea. The ship will offer seven-night voyages between December 2022 and March 2023 from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates, Dammam in Saudi Arabia and Doha in Qatar before returning to Dubai.
In March 2023 MSC World Europa will head to the Mediterranean Sea and sail seven-night cruises calling the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, as well as Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain and Marseille in France.
MSC Euribia – symbol of MSC Cruises’ respect for the oceans
MSC Euribia will become one of the most environmentally advanced ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet to date and is named after the ancient goddess Eurybia who harnessed the winds, weather and constellations to master the seas. MSC Euribia will strike a markedly different look than other ships in MSC Cruises’ fleet thanks to an exclusive artwork design that transforms the hull of MSC Euribia into a giant, floating canvas to communicate the importance of sustainability and the Company’s commitment to the sea.
From June 2023 MSC Euribia will spend her inaugural season in Northern Europe from the German port of Kiel with seven-night itineraries to the Norwegian fjords with calls including Copenhagen, Denmark; Hellesylt, Norway for the Geirangerfjord; as well as Alesund and Flam, also in Norway, among other destinations.
For more information about MSC World Europa, please click here.