MSC Cruises advances its commitment to environmental sustainability by successfully connecting the MSC World Europe to the shore power grid in the port of Valletta, Malta
This action marks a milestone as the first onshore power operation in the Mediterranean. Using onshore power allows the ship to connect to the local electricity grid, eliminating the need to keep the engine running and reducing direct emissions while in port.
Onshore energy is a fundamental part of its journey towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions operations by 2050.
MSC Cruises carried out the first tests earlier this year in Valletta and the experience gained has helped to perfect the process of implementing land-based energy.
From now on, the MSC World Europa will connect to onshore power facilities during its calls in Valletta. The ship will make weekly calls throughout next year and all of 2025.
Since 2017, all new ships joining the MSC Cruises fleet have shore power connections, and the company has plans underway to equip existing cruise ships with this technology.
The cruise line has increased the number of port calls using shore power as more ports implement facilities for this purpose. The Valletta connection adds to the recent connections in Northern Europe. Earlier this year, MSC Cruises inaugurated a new shore power facility in Kiel, Germany.
MSC Cruises aims to add at least 15 new ports to its shore power plan between 2024 and 2026, focusing on a number of ports in Italy, including Genoa, La Spezia, Civitavecchia, Naples and Trieste.
In addition, ports such as Barcelona, Hamburg, Valencia, Marseille, Copenhagen and the new cruise terminal in Miami, which will open next year, will have onshore power capabilities.
The shipping company recognizes the importance of collaboration with ports and regions to achieve sustainable maritime practices. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve onshore energy facilities in the Baltic Sea region, and similar commitments are underway with other Mediterranean ports.
Michele Francioni, Senior Vice President of Cost Optimization and Process Improvement at MSC Cruises, stated: “Our shore power plan demonstrates our full commitment to reducing emissions from our ships. Using shore power is a major step forward because it allows us to eliminate direct emissions from a cruise ship while it is docked.”
“We need more ports in Europe and other continents to introduce in-port electricity as soon as possible to further reduce local air emissions. We will ensure our ships are ready to connect wherever facilities are available.”.
“Connecting MSC World Europe to onshore power in Valletta is an achievement we are proud of, and we are grateful for the collaboration and excellent cooperation with Transport Malta, Infrastructure Malta, and the Maltese authorities, as well as with the Cruise Port of Valletta.””.
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