MSC Cruises will reduce its fleet emissions by up to 15% by 2026 thanks to the introduction of a new itinerary planning optimization tool called OptiCruise.
The cruise line has developed a new mathematical model in collaboration with OPTIMeasy, a research company affiliated with the University of Genoa. This model has thoroughly examined numerous factors that influence the planning of each MSC Cruises itinerary, achieving the optimal level of sailing efficiency without compromising passenger satisfaction, and even improving it.
Traditionally, cruise itinerary planning has focused primarily on the appeal of destinations to tourists. OptiCruise significantly expands this approach by considering a variety of factors that affect itinerary efficiency. These include the sequence of port calls, departure and arrival times, ship speed, destination appeal, shore excursions, and operating costs such as fuel, port fees, and food. OptiCruise's algorithms analyze all available information to identify optimized itineraries that remain appealing to passengers while maximizing energy efficiency.
Cruise itineraries are typically planned two years in advance, so the advantages of OptiCruise will become apparent in 2026, when MSC Cruises will have 24 ships in its fleet. To evaluate this prototype technology, the MSC Bellissima, which sailed for 12 months, visiting 17 ports in the Mediterranean.
MSC Cruises' strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 is based on three key areas: ship and engine technology,operational efficiency, and renewable fuels. OptiCruise contributes to operational efficiency, where the company uses digitalization to improve energy consumption.
Michele Francioni, Director of Energy Transition at MSC Cruises, stated: “We have identified and developed this new technology to optimize the decision-making process in itinerary planning with the aim of further reducing emissions across our entire fleet from 2026.The OPTIMeasy team estimates that the average fuel savings achieved, and the emissions reduced through the use of OptiCruise, are in the range of 10-15%, which represents a significant step forward in our ambition to achieve our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for our maritime operations.”
OptiCruise was developed within the framework of the European Union-funded CHEK project. This project is dedicated to researching and testing various low-carbon shipping solutions, including new energy technologies and innovative ship designs. The mathematical model was approved for development by the CHEK project due to its potential to significantly reduce emissions, not only for MSC Cruises but also across the entire cruise industry. The CHEK project is part of the EU's Horizon program and is led by Vaasa University in Finland. In addition to MSC Cruises, the consortium includes the World Maritime University, Wärtsilä, Cargill, and Lloyds Register, among others
