Today, the Port of Barcelona welcomed the MSC World Europa on its inaugural call. Following its launch last November in Doha, Qatar, the MSC World Europa begins its first summer season in the Mediterranean and has settled in Barcelona, from where embarkations will take place throughout the summer on an itinerary that includes stops in Marseille, France; Genoa, Naples, and Messina, Italy; and Valletta, Malta.
During the event, the captain of MSC World Europe, Dino Sagani; the managing director of MSC Cruises Spain, Fernando Pacheco; and the president of the Port Authority of Barcelona, Lluís Salvadó, were present. MSC will reinforce its commitment to the port when the new terminal in Barcelona, scheduled to open in 2024, becomes operational. This terminal will be equipped with facilities for supplying green energy to ships, in line with the Port of Barcelona's commitment.
In this regard, Fernando Pacheco, CEO of MSC Cruises, stated that “we are delighted to welcome MSC World Europe to Barcelona. Having the opportunity to visit such a modern and cutting-edge city as Barcelona is undoubtedly an added attraction to our cruise offerings.”
Lluís Salvadó, president of the Port Authority of Barcelona, commented that “MSC Cruises’ strategy to minimize the environmental impact of its ships is in line with the one we are following at the Port of Barcelona to decarbonize port activity. The MSC World Europa, a very energy-efficient ship, is an example of this.”
This ship is presented as one of the world's largest LNG-powered cruise ships and is the first contemporary cruise ship to integrate fuel cell technology, becoming an example of energy efficiency and emissions reduction.
It is equipped with shore power to reduce carbon emissions in port, as well as an advanced wastewater treatment system that meets the world's most stringent regulatory requirements. The vessel also includes a ballast water treatment system that prevents the introduction of invasive species into the marine environment, complying with the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention.
In addition, MSC World Europa features an underwater radiated noise management system to minimize disturbance to marine life, as well as a wide range of energy-efficient equipment on board to optimize the use of the engines and the ship's energy needs and further reduce emissions.
Linden Coppell, Vice President of Sustainability and ESG at MSC Cruises, states that, “after almost six months of testing, the fuel cell’s performance has been excellent and we have not observed any signs of safety or maintenance issues. Efficiency to date is far superior to that of an internal combustion engine and has exceeded our expectations.”
According to Fernando Pacheco, “thispioneering ship is firm proof of our unwavering commitment to sustainable cruising, as it features a series of unprecedented innovations in terms of environmental and marine technologies. MSC World Europe represents a major step forward on our path towards the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”
During this first summer season in the Mediterranean, passengers aboard MSC World Europa will be able to enjoy the ship's features and spaces, such as the World Promenade, immersive culinary experiences, high-level entertainment options and the largest and most action-packed children's area in the MSC Cruises fleet.
