On December 2nd, the French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique and MSC Cruises celebrated two milestones for the company’s newest ships.
MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia will become the first LNG-powered ships to join the MSC fleet in 2023, representing an investment of EUR 3 billion in LNG (liquified natural gas) liners. The construction on World Europa 2 (reserved IMO 9837432) is due to start in early 2023.
These ships play a major role in the MSC's commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. In addition, with the availability of Bio & Synthetic forms of LNG, the energy source will provide the pathway toward decarbonized operations.
MSC and Chantiers de l’Atlantique (fka STX France) also confirmed the installation of a fuel cell pilot plant "Blue Horizon" on MSC World Europa. The technology is expected to use LNG to convert fuel into electricity at one of the highest efficiencies of any power solution available, producing electricity and heat onboard.
The official coin ceremony took place as the keel was laid for MSC’s 2nd LNG-powered boat - Euribia, which will become one of the most environmentally high performing contemporary ships built in France.
Anne Claire Juventin (Chantiers de l’Atlantique's Quality Control) and Valentina Mancini (MSC's Brand Manager) performed the traditional ritual as godmothers/madrinas representing the shipbuilder and the shipowner when they placed a pair of coins under the keel as the sign of blessing and good fortune for the new project, and the operational life of the ship at sea.
The float out of World Europa (MSC's first LNG-powered ship) took place at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire (France) where the liner will now be moved to a wet-dock for works to continue on the newbuild until her delivery in November next year.
Departing Dubai on March 25, 2023, MSC World Europa will be deployed in the Mediterranean. In summer 2023, the liner will offer 7-night itineraries visiting the ports of Genoa (Milan), Naples, Messina (Sicily), Valletta (Malta), Barcelona (Spain), Marseille (France).