Media outlets from around the world have attended the insertion of the new section, which took place at the Fincantieri shipyards in Palermo.
The first of the four MSC Cruises ships to undergo the Renaissance Program renovation was lengthened today by 24 meters under the watchful eye of a large group of international journalists.
In this extraordinary feat of engineering, which took place at the Fincantieri shipyards in Palermo (Sicily), the bow of the 14,000-ton MSC Armonia was moved on rails to separate it 30 meters from the stern in order to insert the new 2,200-ton central section of the ship.
This procedure has marked a key milestone of the Renaissance Programme, valued at €200 million, under which the four ships of the Lirica family, MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica, will be lengthened and refurbished, incorporating numerous improvements and services to meet the needs of today's cruise traveler.
Today's separation required careful preparation to ensure the ship was fully ready. The operation to cut the ship's steel began on September 2nd, when Fincantieri's expert engineers established the cutting line to ensure proper separation of the area. The following day, September 3rd, the ship's electrical system was deactivated. The cutting operations were completed on September 8th, in time for the event on September 10th.
Following the Renaissance Program, the environmental impact of MSC Armonia will be significantly reduced. The hull will receive a new treatment to minimize aerodynamic drag, which will considerably reduce fuel consumption. In addition, LED technology will be implemented in all public areas of the ship, further reducing energy consumption on board.
A Variable Speed Drive Inverter will also be installed , an energy-saving system that significantly reduces the ship's electrical consumption by adjusting it to operating conditions. Finally, the company that manufactures MSC Cruises' propellers is studying a new blade design to maximize efficiency and further reduce fuel consumption.
Emilio La Scala, Managing Director of the Technical Department at MSC Cruises, told the media: “MSC Cruises has long wanted to undertake a project as demanding as this, not only to improve the ship's facilities but also to introduce technical, safety, and environmental improvements. However, we wanted to ensure we chose the best partner in the shipbuilding industry. Fincantieri has extensive knowledge and experience in this type of operation, which was crucial to meeting our high standards. Furthermore, we have collaborated with them on various maintenance and refit projects across our fleet.”
MSC Cruises' Renaissance Program will add a total of 193 new cabins to MSC Armonia and will also renovate many other parts of the ship to improve the level of comfort, entertainment areas and services available on board.
Once it launches on November 17, the ship will feature new areas for the Baby Club, built in collaboration with Chicco, as well as new Mini Club, Young Club, Junior Club, and Teen Club. The buffet will be open 20 hours a day, offering travelers an even better dining experience. It will also include a new lounge and a larger restaurant.
Other new features will include a new library, an improved MSC Aurea Spa, and a completely new water park with numerous water attractions and water cannons.
The ship entered dry dock on August 31 and will remain there for 11 weeks until resuming service on November 17 with an extraordinary inaugural cruise through the Mediterranean departing from Genoa and bound for the Canary Islands.
