MSC Cruises today announced a new order to expand its successful World Class. The order, placed with the prestigious French shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique, brings the total number of World Class ships in the MSC Cruises fleet to six. The new ships, provisionally named World Class V and World Class VI, are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030, respectively. This expansion reaffirms MSC Cruises' ongoing commitment to the European shipbuilding industry and its strong partnership with France as a strategic partner in the construction of state-of-the-art ships.
Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, stated: “The confirmation of the order for the two new World Class ships marks a new milestone in our remarkable shipbuilding history in France and the continuation of our long-term industrial plan. This milestone underscores our commitment to building some of the world’s highest-performing ships, creating a legacy of excellence and innovation in partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, our long-term partner for more than 20 years. The successful World Class combines the best of environmental technology with the latest advancements in passenger experiences.”
Laurent Castaing, CEO of Chantiers de l'Atlantique, added: “We thank MSC Cruises for their continued trust. It is the synergy of our two companies' expertise that has led to the creation of this high-potential World Class, which addresses the challenges in terms of both passenger experience and environmental performance. The World Class V and VI ships mark a milestone in the history of the cruise industry, offering unparalleled energy efficiency.”
The new ships will join MSC World Europe and MSC World America, as well as MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic, currently under construction and scheduled to enter service in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
The World Class represents the cutting edge of energy efficiency in the cruise industry, far exceeding the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The new ships will maintain the high environmental standards of their predecessors and will be equipped to operate on a wide range of alternative fuels, including bio- and synthetic liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Furthermore, they will incorporate a new generation of dual-fuel internal combustion engines, designed to significantly reduce methane emissions through innovative technologies, thus consolidating MSC Cruises' leadership in maritime sustainability.
The new ships will be equipped with shore power connections, allowing them to shut down their engines during port calls and significantly reduce local carbon emissions. They will incorporate the most advanced wastewater treatment systems available, designed to meet the strictest standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Furthermore, they will integrate waste management innovations and a wide range of energy-efficient technologies on board, designed to optimize both engine performance and energy consumption, thus contributing to an even greater reduction in operational emissions.
Like the rest of the World Class, the new additions will combine MSC Cruises' signature elegant European design with maximum comfort, to offer a unique onboard experience.
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