The international maritime industry has recognized MSC Cruises' commitment to the environment, awarding it the 2019 Neptune Award in the "Greenest Shipping Company of the Year" category. The award was presented at the World Sustainable Transport and Ports Forum, held in Copenhagen, Denmark. This annual award recognizes shipping companies that have demonstrated excellence in reducing the environmental impact of their fleets by implementing innovative technologies and practices, while simultaneously driving the maritime sector's journey toward a sustainable future.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, commented: “I am especially pleased that maritime industry professionals from around the world have recognized our long-standing commitment to sustainability and environmental protection in the places where we operate, with particular attention to the communities in the port cities where our ships call. Our journey has been—and will continue to be—one that leads us toward continuous improvement: a path focused on minimizing and reducing the environmental footprint of our operations, both at sea and on land. Therefore, we are modernizing our entire fleet, equipping it with the most innovative technologies on the market. With these solutions, we achieve emissions reductions, energy efficiency, and improved wastewater management. All of this while we continue to invest in and promote these increasingly advanced technologies.”
Captain Minas Myrtidis, Vice President of Environmental Operations at MSC Cruises, accepted the award in Copenhagen at the World Sustainable Transport and Ports Forum, where he stated: “It is a true honor to accept this award on behalf of MSC Cruises. Every day we develop and implement new environmental technologies, policies, and practices to improve our environmental performance.”
MSC Cruises has embarked on a journey of improvement towards a “zero-impact” future. To this end, it has launched various initiatives to minimize its environmental footprint. Among these, the development and implementation of cutting-edge maritime technologies stands out, enabling them to protect and preserve the environment in which they operate.
One of its main objectives is to improve air quality, and 74% of MSC Cruises' passenger capacity is already covered by innovative hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems. The entire fleet will be equipped with these systems by 2021. MSC Cruises is also investing €5 billion in five ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which will enter service between 2022 and 2027. Furthermore, all ships launched from 2017 onward can connect to the local power grid in port. The company is prepared to install this technology on older ships as soon as shore power becomes available at cruise terminals.
For over a decade, MSC Cruises has equipped its ships with advanced wastewater treatment systems that purify the water to near-tap quality. All ships in its fleet are also equipped with innovative systems to reduce, recycle, and reuse solid waste. Similarly, single-use plastics have been eliminated from a wide range of onboard items.
The Neptune Awards were created by ALJ Groups to recognize the organizations and individuals most committed to sustainability in the shipping industry. To select the award winners, shipping companies, ports, and manufacturers are first invited to submit nominations. The winners are then ultimately chosen by a vote of 150 senior representatives and executives, who cast their ballots in closed-door meetings.
For more information on MSC Cruises' environmental practices, please visit www.msccruises.com/en-gl/About-MSC/MSC-Sustainability.aspx
