MSC Cruises celebrated the keel laying for its newest and largest cruise ship, the 205,000 gross ton MSC World Europa. The first block for LNG-powered cruise ship, which will also be the first built in France, was lowered into place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire.
The ceremonies also marked the first start of construction on a large cruise ship since the onset of the global pandemic and suspension of cruise operations. MSC Cruises currently has canceled its worldwide cruise operations until August 2020.
MSC had signed a memorandum of understanding in May 2017 firming up the order of two 200,000 GRT, LNG-powered mega cruise ships, with options for two additional vessels. The four ships would become MSC Cruises’ World Class. Steel cutting for the first of the vessels began at the end of October 2019 with her delivery scheduled for May 2022. The sister ships were scheduled for delivery in 2024, 2025 and 2027.
“With this vessel, we reconfirm our belief in investing in advanced environmental technology to meet our long-term goal of zero emissions from operations.” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises.
The designs for the World Class in addition to the LNG-power plant also feature other advanced, environmentally-friend designs including the first use of a LNG-powered fuel cell. It will feature a 50-kilowatt demonstrator system that incorporates solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology and use LNG to produce electricity and heat onboard. According to MSC, this SOFC solution will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by about 30 percent compared with a conventional LNG engine, with no emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur 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. The MSC World Europa will also feature a new generation wastewater treatment system that exceeds current stringent regulatory standards, as well as other cutting-edge environmental technology.
