Two new MSC World Class cruise ships can be even-greener sisters to MSC World Europa and MSC World America. [Photo: MSC Cruises]
MSC Cruises largest ship the 1,094 toes, 6,762 passenger MSC World Europa, is beginning its first summer time season within the Mediterranean after arriving from the Arabian Gulf this week and the cruise line is emphasizing its inexperienced credentials in addition to its glamor. The ship grew to become MSC Cruises first to be fueled by liquefied pure gasoline (LNG), when she was delivered by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in October 2022 andis claimed to be the world’s highest performing giant cruise ship when it comes to CO2eq emissions per passenger (based mostly on EEDI index in grams of CO2 per nautical miles and gross tonnage).
MSC World Europa will function on LNG all through the summer time season, together with her first bunkering in Marseille scheduled on April 15, 2023. While zero-carbon fuels reminiscent of inexperienced ammonia and inexperienced hydrogen could also be in delivery’s future, LNG stays the cleanest marine gas presently accessible at scale. Compared to plain marine fuels, LNG nearly eliminates native air pollutant emissions—together with sulfur oxides and wonderful particles—and reduces nitrogen oxides by as much as 85%. LNG additionally provides as much as a 20% discount in greenhouse gasoline emissions and is paving the way in which for the uptake of sustainable non-fossil fuels reminiscent of bio and artificial LNG.
“Our guests from the U.S. have been thrilled to cruise on board MSC World Europa during her inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf, and many more of them are flocking to Europe as she starts her first summer season in the Mediterranean,” mentioned Rubén A. Rodríguez, president, MSC Cruises USA, mentioned: This groundbreaking ship exemplifies our unwavering dedication to sustainable cruising. MSC World Europa’s progressive environmental and marine applied sciences characterize a significant step ahead on our journey in the direction of assembly our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, and it provides a glimpse at our future within the U.S. as we transfer towards bringing MSC World America into service in 2025.”
UNIQUE FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY SHOWS PROMISING RESULTS
MSC World Europa additionally characteristic strong oxide gas cell (SOFC) know-how powered by LNG. The ship features a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator that makes use of LNG to effectively produce electrical energy and warmth on board utilizing an electrochemical response. Thanks to this elevated effectivity, SOFC has the potential to considerably scale back greenhouse gasoline emissions in contrast with a standard LNG engine with out producing nitrogen oxide, sulfr oxide or wonderful particle emissions. In addition to being suitable with LNG, the cell is suitable with potential low carbon fuels like inexperienced methanol, ammonia, liquid hydrogen and bio or artificial LNG.
“Nearly six months into testing, the fuel cell performance has been excellent, and we haven’t seen any signs of safety or maintenance issues,” mentioned Linden Coppell, vp of sustainability & ESG at MSC Cruises. “The efficiency to date—measured in terms of the energy we can generate from the same unit of fuel – is well above that of an internal combustion engine and has exceeded our expectations. We have operated the system continually and it has delivered a steady output even better than our forecast 150-kilowatt return. Obviously, this is a small fraction of the energy we need but we are confident that the system can be scaled up on future newbuilds. We recognize that this will requires close collaboration with partners across and outside of our industry, which is why MSC Cruises is actively involved in several different research initiatives and partnerships that all share the common objective of accelerating the transition toward a net-zero future.”
ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES
MSC World Europa is supplied with shore energy plug-in connectivity to cut back carbon emissions in port, in addition to a complicated wastewater therapy system (AWTS) that meets the world’s highest regulatory necessities, together with the so-called Baltic customary. It treats all wastewater produced onboard to close faucet water requirements.
The ship additionally features a UV ballast water therapy system that’s in full compliance with IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention.
The vessel has a complete workforce devoted to implementing strict waste administration protocols which separate all wastes into seven distinct sorts (i.e. glass, aluminum and paper) with specialised gear to crush or bundle every sort within the ship’s waste administration facility.
MSC World Europa options an underwater radiated noise administration system to attenuate disturbance to marine life, together with a complete vary of vitality environment friendly gear onboard to optimize engine use and resort vitality wants and additional scale back emissions. It is fitted with enhanced automated knowledge assortment techniques for distant vitality monitoring and evaluation, permitting real-time shoreside assist to optimize operational effectivity onboard.
NEXT LEVEL CRUISE EXPERIENCES
Of course, most vacationers don’t e book cruises based mostly on sustainability issues and MSC World Europa is full of extraordinary options and spectacular areas, next-level leisure choices and guarantees to “take guests on a gastronomic journey around the world with a choice of 20 bars and lounges, and 13 dining venues—each with its own distinct style andambiance.” More on all that, and extra, HERE.
