MSC Group's cruise division, in collaboration with Qatar Airways, has announced that the inauguration ceremony for MSC Cruises' new flagship, the pioneering MSC World Europa, will take place on November 13 in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Furthermore, this will also be the location for the official opening of the city's new cruise terminal, the "Grand Cruise Terminal." This is part of MSC's overall commitment to Qatar and reflects the continued importance the company places on the Middle East, where it is the market leader. It also supports Vision 2030 , which aims to triple the number of international tourists visiting the country.
Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Group's Cruises division, commented: “We are very proud to launch our most innovative cruise ship to date in November, designed with a futuristic concept that will make it the most environmentally advanced passenger ship. MSC World Europa represents the future of cruising, a completely new platform that will provide our passengers with an unforgettable cruise experience. There is no better way to launch it than in Doha, one of the New World's New City Wonders, where the city's first cruise terminal will also be inaugurated.”
Qatar continues to play a vital role in MSC Cruises' strategy to expand its presence in the Gulf region as we see increasing demand from our passengers to visit this culturally rich yet still relatively unknown corner of the world. I would like to thank Qatar Airways for their collaboration and tremendous support, which has made this event possible.
The international event will welcome travel agents and media from around the world.
There is no better city in which to celebrate the inauguration of the highly anticipated MSC World Europa, the first of our pioneering “World Class” ships. Featuring a completely new cruise platform, the best onboard technologies, the latest environmental innovations, and an ultramodern design, this ship will become the largest and most environmentally advanced cruise ship sailing from Doha and throughout the Middle East, welcoming passengers from around the world for the 2022/2023 winter season.
The opening ceremony will be a gala featuring a wide variety of live performances, including the maritime tradition of breaking a bottle against the hull, all set against the stunning backdrop of Doha's cityscape. Further details of the event will be revealed later.
His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chief Executive of Qatar Airways Group, commented:“Qatar has taken important steps to position itself as a world-class cruise destination, and the inauguration ceremony of MSC World Europe in Doha is another milestone in our growth in this important tourism sector. As Qatar places great importance on sustainability, it is fitting that it celebrates the inauguration of such an environmentally focused cruise ship. Furthermore, the opening of the newGrand Cruise Terminal, a state-of-the-art facility, firmly places Qatar on the cruise map and positions Doha as one of the most modern ports in the world.”
This celebration will take place at Doha's newGrand Cruise Terminal , a state-of-the-art 24,000-square-meter facility capable of handling up to 28,000 passengers daily and accommodating two mega-cruise ships simultaneously. Among its many features, cruise passengers will enjoy an incredible aquarium and a gallery specializing in Islamic art.
The official inauguration event for MSC Cruises' new flagship, from the MSC group, will take place on November 13, 2022.
The ship will make its maiden voyage on December 20, offering 7-night cruises to Doha, Qatar; Dubai; Abu Dhabi; and Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates, as well as Dammam, Saudi Arabia. During the upcoming season, MSC Operawill also offer 7-night Gulf itineraries to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sir Bani Yas Island, in addition to two destinations in Oman: Muscat and Khasab.
From March 2023, MSC World Europe will move to the Mediterranean Sea, where it will offer 7-night cruises departing from Barcelona with stops in Marseille, France, Genoa, Naples and Messina, Italy and Valletta, Malta.
About MSC World Europe:
This new flagship, with 40,000 m² of public spaces, is the first of the innovative World Class prototype. It will have 22 decks, a beam of 47 meters, and 2,626 cabins. This ultramodern urban metropolis offers a world of diverse experiences that revolutionizes maritime possibilities, setting a new standard for the future of the cruise industry.
MSC World Europa will be the first LNG-powered ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, and the most environmentally advanced to date. The fuel it will run on, liquefied natural gas (LNG), is one of the cleanest marine fuels in the world available on a large scale and is destined to play a key role in the decarbonization (or transition to zero emissions) of international shipping. It virtually eliminates local emissions of air pollutants such as sulfur oxides and reduces nitrogen oxides by up to 85%.
LNG also plays a key role in mitigating climate change, reducing CO2 emissions by 25% and paving the way for the adoption of sustainable non-fossil fuels, including green hydrogen. A fuel cell will be on display on board to demonstrate the efficiency of this technology in producing heat and electricity, achieving 30% greater efficiency than LNG engines.
The collaboration with Qatar Airways is part of the MSC Group's cruise division's commitment to the country.
In addition, MSC World Europe will feature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, shore-to-ship electrical connectivity, and advanced wastewater treatment systems to meet the so-called Baltic Standard, the world's strictest standard for wastewater disposal at sea; an underwater radiated noise management system to reduce the potential impact of noise and vibration on marine mammals; and a wide range of energy-efficient equipment and systems to optimize engine use.
The Swiss-based company has a long-term goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its global operations by 2050. This will be achieved by investing in and supporting the accelerated development and implementation of innovative, cutting-edge technologies across the company's entire fleet of ships.
