MSC Cruises, Fincantieri and Snam revealed the signing of an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to jointly determine the conditions for the design and building of what would become the world's first oceangoing hydrogen-powered cruise vessel.
MSC (world's 3rd-largest cruise shipowner), Fincantieri (one of the world's largest cruise shipbuilding companies) and Snam (a leading international energy infrastructure operator, one of Italy's largest stock-listed companies) joined forces to carry out a study that will assess the feasibility of designing and building the world’s first ocean-going cruise ship powered by hydrogen. The technology would allow zero-emissions operations in certain areas and the development of the related hydrogen bunkering/fueling port infrastructure.
During the next 12 months, the 3 companies will study key factors related to the new ships' development, such as arranging deck spaces to accommodate H2 technologies and fuel cells, calculating the potential greenhouse gas emissions savings, technical parameters of onboard systems, technical and economic analysis of hydrogen infrastructure.
MSC Cruises is committed to achieving net carbon neutral operations by 2050. In order to accomplish the objective, the company is working in partnership with a range of shipyards, suppliers, manufacturers, and investing in upcoming technologies and solutions for MSC's fleet.
The implementation of the new cooperation will possibly be the object of binding agreements to be discussed by the parties.