MSC Cruises orders two LNG-fuelled ships from Chantiers de l’Atlantique

MSC Cruises has confirmed the order for two cruise ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique, according to the latter on Monday (13 November). 

These two ships will complete the World Class series – “World Class” – already made up of the MSC World Europa which was delivered in October 2022 and the MSC World America which is expected to be delivered in spring 2025. 

The two new ships ordered – currently called World Class 3 and 4 – will be delivered in 2026 and 2027. Added to this order is an option for a fifth ship in the same series.

MSC World Europa and MSC World America are already the most energy efficient ships in the cruise industry, performing significantly above the requirements of the Organization’s Energy Efficient Design Index (EEDI) Maritime International (IMO).

“The new ships will represent yet another evolution compared to the previous ones, with even more innovative solutions to maximise energy efficiency, including intensive use of heat recovery, which will achieve an even smaller carbon footprint,” said the shipbuilder. 

Additionally, the new ships will be ready to use a variety of alternative bunker fuels, including bio and synthetic methane and green methanol. The ships will also be equipped with new generation internal combustion engines, notably allowing a reduction in methane leaks.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive President of the MSC Group Cruise Division, said: “We are proud to continue our 20-year partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, with whom we have already built 18 ships, with our 19th ship currently under construction.”

“The World Class is a truly innovative prototype and together we are building some of the most advanced ships in the world. We are committed to researching and investing in future environmental technologies as they become available, to continue progressing our decarbonization journey to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

Laurent Castaing, Managing Director of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, said: “At a difficult time for European shipbuilding, with this order, MSC Cruises is showing us its confidence in our capabilities and skills. We therefore firstly express our gratitude to MSC Cruises for its renewed confidence at this crucial moment.

“Furthermore, MSC Cruises, always looking for a rapid and significant reduction in the environmental impact of its ships, has accepted a significant additional cost in order to improve the energy efficiency of these new ships which, according to the EEDI index of the The OMI will emit half as much CO2 as the 2008 IMO reference.”

The new World Class ships will feature dock connection to reduce carbon emissions in ports, the most advanced wastewater treatment systems designed in accordance with IMO. They will also benefit from new advances in waste management and a full range of energy-efficient on-board equipment to optimise engine usage and energy requirements to further reduce emissions.

The implementation of the two new orders is subject to access to financing, in accordance with industry practices.

Photo credit: Chantiers de l’Atlantique
Published: 14 November, 2023