Shell LNG has entered into an agreement to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to MSC Cruises' second LNG-powered ship MSC Euribia. This deal was announced on Thursday, October 19th.
The Switzerland-based MSC Cruises (part of the world's larges shipping company MSC Group) collaborated with Shell Western LNG BV to successfully complete Euribia's first LNG bunkering in Port Rotterdam.
MSC Euribia was named in Copenhagen Denmark on June 8th. For the maiden voyage from France to Copenhagen, the vessel received ~400 tons of bio-LNG via the Finnish state-owned energy company Gasum.
In addition to the bunkering arrangement, MSC and Gasum solidified their commitment to a letter of intent aimed at collaborating on the supply of synthetic e-LNG produced from renewable energy sources.
The MSC Euribia currently operates 7-night itineraries in Northern Europe/Baltic until April 2024, navigating a route from Hamburg to Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, and Southampton before returning to the northern German port.
It's essential to note that France's Chantiers de l'Atlantique played a pivotal role in the delivery of MSC's first LNG-powered vessel - MSC World Europa, in October 2022. Furthermore, the shipbuilder celebrated a coin ceremony earlier this year, marking the construction milestone for the third LNG-powered ship, MSC World America, which is slated to join the fleet in 2025.
In line with its commitment to sustainability and innovation, MSC has invested ~EUR 3 billion (~US$3.17 billion) into these three LNG-powered vessels, a testament to the industry's ongoing transformation.