MSC Cruises today commemorated its first anniversary of returning to the sea after the global industry shut down in March 2020 as a result of the global pandemic.
One year ago today, MSC Cruises became the first major cruise company to resume operations for international departures, when MSC Grandiosa departed from Genoa for a seven-night voyage through the Western Mediterranean.
This restart was due to collaboration between local, regional, and national authorities in Europe in approving a Health and Safety protocol that MSC Cruises developed with an external panel of medical and public health experts. The protocol was designed for the well-being of passengers, crew, and the communities where the company's ships would call. Over time, this protocol set the standard in the industry and paved the way for more cruise lines to resume operations.
Twelve months later, more than half of the company's fleet has safely resumed sailing in the UK, the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas in Europe, North America and the Caribbean, and the Red Sea in the Middle East. More ships are expected to return to service in the coming weeks and months as part of the shipping company's phased plan to have its entire fleet operational by next year.
Likewise, MSC Cruises has continued with its firm ambition for sustainable growth while resuming operations at sea.
For the cruise line, the past twelve months back in service have been very busy, maintaining its focus without compromising the long-term, sustainable future of the business. Below are some highlights from the past year at MSC Cruises.
Maritime
- Two new buildings delivered in 2021.
- No ships put up for sale, nor sent to be scrapped.
- Delivery of MSC Virtuosa in February from the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France (CdA).
- Delivery of MSC Seashore in July 2021 from Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy.
- Steel cutting in June 2021 of the second MSC Euribia liquefied natural gas vessel, to be delivered in 2023 (CdA).
- Keel laying in June 2021 on MSC Seascape, to be delivered in November 2022 (Fincantieri).
- Signing of a five-year preferential berthing rights agreement with Cruise Saudi for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Resumption schedule
- First company to resume international cruises (MSC Grandiosa in the Mediterranean)
- First cruises around the United Kingdom
- First major cruise line to make a stop in Barcelona, Spain
- First major cruise line to stop in Marseille (France)
- First major cruise line to stop in Valletta (Malta)
- Ten ships currently sailing:
MSC Virtuosa – United Kingdom
MSC Grandiosa, MSC Seaside, MSC Seashore – Western Mediterranean
MSC Orchestra, MSC Splendida, MSC Magnifica – Eastern Mediterranean
MSC Seaview – Baltic Sea, Germany
MSC Bellissima – Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
MSC Meraviglia – North America and the Caribbean, United States
Countries visited in the last twelve months
Italy, Malta, Greece, Croatia, France, Spain, Montenegro, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Estonia, United States, Bahamas, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.
New business
- The luxury brand Explora Journeys was launched in June 2021.
- Also in June, the first steel was cut for the first Explora I vessel for delivery in 2023 (Fincantieri).
Port development
- Commitment to invest in new cruise terminals in Miami, Barcelona and Ancona (Italy).
- The Durban (South Africa) terminal will see its construction completed this year.
Shipyard management
The creation of a joint venture to manage the Palumbo Malta shipyard was announced in July 2020.
Innovation
- MSC Seashore – the world's first cruise ship to feature "Safe Air", UV-C lamp technology to eliminate 99% of viruses and bacteria on board.
- In October 2020, MSC Grandiosa received RINA's "biosecure vessel" certification for mitigating the risk of infection.
- In July 2021, MSC Seashore received RINA's "Sustainable Ship" certification for its environmental management.
Crew
COVID-19 vaccination of the crew is underway.
Flight and Cruise
Launch of the cruise industry's largest global charter flight program to bring passengers from across Europe to embarkation ports for summer 2021 departures.
Sustainability
- On track to achieve the 40% decarbonization target by 2030.
- Commitment to neutralize carbon emissions by 2050.
- He announced plans to assess the feasibility of building a hydrogen-powered cruise ship and the necessary supply chain in collaboration with Fincantieri and Snam, one of Italy's leading energy infrastructure companies.
- The cruise industry is leading the EU-funded “CHEK” research project to promote low-carbon shipping solutions.
Signing of the UK Chamber of Shipping's "Single-Use Plastic Charter".
