The first steel has been cut and its name revealed at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, marking the official start of construction on MSC Cruises' most environmentally advanced ship to date. MSC Euribia, due to enter service in June 2023, will become the 22nd ship in the MSC Cruises fleet and the second to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest marine fuel currently available on a large scale. Like every ship joining the MSC Cruises fleet, it will be equipped with some of the latest and most advanced technologies and solutions to minimize its environmental impact. The start of construction on MSC Euribia marks another milestone in the company's commitment to environmental sustainability.
The start of construction was marked by the traditional steel-cutting ceremony in Saint-Nazaire, which brought together the ship's owner and the shipyard. As is customary at sea, MSC Cruises' CEO, Pierfrancesco Vago, joined Chantiers de l'Atlantique's CEO, Laurent Castaing, to cut the first steel that will be used to build the new ship and, with it, the next step in MSC Cruises' journey toward zero-impact operations.
Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “Just as the ancient goddess harnessed the winds, weather, and constellations to master the seas, our vision is for MSC Euribia to lead the way in deploying sustainable technologies to protect and preserve our precious marine ecosystem. This ship marks a new milestone in our journey toward zero-impact operations and is a testament to our commitment to fostering and developing next-generation environmental technologies.”
“As a family with over 300 years of maritime heritage, we have always sought to protect the environment to safeguard our way of life and protect the planet for future generations. With our first LNG-powered ship already under construction, MSC Euribia will further reduce emissions using the latest available technology. It will be one of the most environmentally efficient contemporary ships in the world.”.
LNG is undoubtedly the cleanest marine fuel currently available on a large scale and virtually eliminates polluting emissions from the local air such as sulfur oxides (99%), nitrogen oxides (85%) and particulate matter (98%).
In terms of emissions with global impact, LNG plays a key role in mitigating climate change, and MSC Euribia's engines have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25% compared to standard fuels. Furthermore, with the future availability of bio- and synthetic forms of LNG, this energy source will pave the way toward eventual decarbonized operations.
LNG is also key to the development of fuel cell solutions for maritime transport, as these technologies cannot operate on traditional fuels. MSC Cruises, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, and a consortium of leading energy and technology companies have been working on the development of a pilot LNG-powered solid oxide fuel cell technology for cruise ships that could achieve a significant further reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to the increased efficiency of this technology.
MSC Cruises has committed to using LNG on at least three of its upcoming ships, representing a total investment of over €3 billion. The first of these, the MSC World Europa, is currently under construction in Saint-Nazaire and will enter service in October 2022. Construction of the third ship is scheduled to begin in early 2023.
Environmental technologies at MSC Euribia:
Engines and fuels: 4 Wärtsilä dual fuel engines (12V and 16V) that generally run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), occasionally on marine diesel with 0.1% sulfur (MGO), so the ship will not require exhaust gas cleaning systems
Air emissions: Selective catalytic reduction system that reduces NOx emissions by up to 90% when the ship is running on MGO (LNG offers a similar NOx reduction) – MSC Euribia will meet IMO Tier III standards regardless of the fuel used. Shore-to-ship electrical connectivity, allowing the ship to shut down its engines and connect to local power grids in ports where this infrastructure is available.
Wastewater: An advanced wastewater treatment system that complies with the International Maritime Organization's MEPC Resolution 227(64) and meets the world's strictest standards – the so-called "Baltic Standard." An advanced ballast water treatment system that will prevent the introduction of invasive species into the marine environment through ballast water discharges, in compliance with the International Maritime Organization Convention.
Marine life protection: underwater radiated noise management system, with a hull and engine room design that minimizes the impact of acoustic sound, reducing its potential effects on marine fauna, more particularly on marine mammals in the surrounding waters.
Energy efficiency: All new MSC Cruises builds incorporate a wide range of energy-efficient equipment that helps reduce and optimize engine use. This includes intelligent ventilation and advanced air conditioning systems with automated energy recovery loops that redistribute heating and cooling to reduce demand. The ships use LED lighting controlled by intelligent management systems to further enhance the energy-saving profile. In partnership with the shipyard, MSC Euribia will be equipped with automated data collection systems for remote energy monitoring and advanced analysis, enabling real-time shore-based support to optimize onboard operational efficiency.
