MSC Group 's cruise division and Gasum have signed a long-term agreement for the supply of LNG to MSC Cruises' new flagship, MSC Euribia , as well as a Letter of Intent with the aim of cooperating in the supply of synthetic e-LNG manufactured with renewable energy, to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in their maritime operations by 2050.
The two companies also signed a long-term agreement for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to MSC Cruises' new flagship, the MSC Euribia. With this agreement, Gasum is supporting MSC Cruises in reducing emissions through the immediate use of LNG.
The use of LNG eliminates almost all sulfur oxide and particulate emissions, greatly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions, and significantly decreases greenhouse gas emissions.
MSC Euribia recently demonstrated that carbon-neutral cruising is now possible by completing the first net-zero greenhouse gas emissions cruise using liquefied biogas purchased from Gasum. The ship sailed for four days from Saint-Nazaire, France, to Copenhagen, Denmark, utilizing bio-LNG with a mass balance approach. MSC Cruises purchased over 400 tons of bio-LNG from Gasum to showcase its commitment to deploying renewable fuels and implementing energy transition measures toward this pioneering net-zero gas emissions voyage.
Linden Coppell, Vice President of Sustainability and ESG at MSC Cruises, said: “We are delighted to partner with Gasum on our journey towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Securing a reliable supply of LNG and e-LNG is vital to our decarbonization efforts, and this long-term commitment and agreement announced today are significant steps in that direction. Partnering with Gasum will give us access to new and cleaner fuels, which are essential to achieving net-zero cruising. We need more suppliers like Gasum to step up and support our industry in its environmental goals .”
Mika Wiljanen, CEO of Gasum, stated: “As a dedicated alternative fuels supplier committed to the energy transition, Gasum is proud to support MSC Cruises, a major maritime player, in its quest to improve the environmental footprint of its operations. At the same time, MSC Cruises is supporting the development of the most promising alternative fuel by demonstrating that demand exists. This e-LNG commitment is a landmark agreement for the shipping industry, as it demonstrates that e-LNG will be available to the maritime sector in the near future. We are also very pleased with the long-term LNG supply agreement, which we believe is the beginning of a lasting partnership.”
Synthesis gas can be produced synthetically using the Power-to-Gas process. First, hydrogen is produced from water using renewable electricity, such as wind or solar power. The hydrogen produced can then be converted into methane by adding non-fossil carbon dioxide obtained from carbon capture.
This resulting renewable synthetic methane gas is fully interchangeable with natural gas and biogas. When liquefied, it is also fully interchangeable with LNG and liquefied biogas. This means it can be transported through existing infrastructure using existing gas networks.
It also means that synthesis gas can be used directly in onboard dual-fuel engines that currently run on natural gas, biogas, LNG or liquefied biogas in any proportion.
Gasum's strategic objective is to market seven terawatt-hours of renewable gas annually by 2027. Achieving this goal would represent a cumulative annual reduction of 1.8 million tons of carbon dioxide for Gasum's customers.
MSC Euribia completed a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions voyage on its maiden crossing from St. Nazaire to Copenhagen using bio-LNG via a mass balance system, the most cost-effective and environmentally efficient method for obtaining the benefits of renewable biogas.
MSC Cruises is committed to the use of renewable fuels and to accelerating the energy transition towards net zero energy.
MSC Euribia boasts the most energy-efficient cruise ship design ever created. The vessel will achieve an IMO Energy Efficiency Design Index 55% higher than the current requirement and is expected to be the world's best-performing cruise ship upon its launch.
MSC Euribia will emit up to 19% less greenhouse gas per passenger per day than its sister ships, which use conventional marine fuels. MSC Euribia will emit up to 44% less greenhouse gas per passenger per day than ships built just 10 years ago.
Wastewater is treated to a very high standard, surpassing that of many municipal land-based wastewater treatment systems worldwide. Its technology meets the strictest international IMO standards, including the Baltic Standard.
MSC has long been committed to environmental stewardship, with the long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions in its operations by 2050. The company is also a major investor in next-generation marine environmental technologies, aiming to support their accelerated development and availability across the industry.
