By
Alice Chambers |
MSC Cruises will operate the world’s first net-zero cruise onboard the new MSC Euribia when it undertakes its maiden voyage on 3-7 June 2023.
The LNG-powered ship will sail from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, to Copenhagen, Denmark, ahead of its naming ceremony on 8 June without emitting any greenhouse gas emissions to demonstrate the possibility of net-zero cruising.
MSC Cruises recently purchased 400 tonnes of bio-LNG fuel to power MSC Euribia. Onboard energy efficiency specialists and a shore-based team in London, UK, will monitor the speed and itinerary of the ship to save energy and reduce fuel consumption while sailing. Nordic energy company Gasum will also be on hand to support the operation.
“This industry-first net-zero gas emissions voyage of our latest flagship MSC Euribia heralds another significant step on our decarbonisation journey and demonstrates more than anything the extent of our commitment,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the cruise division at MSC Group. “Given the absolute importance of alternative fuels for our industry, as well as for other sectors across civil society, to achieve decarbonisation, we all need to work together to increase their availability at scale.
“Our purchase of bio-LNG will send a clear and meaningful signal to the market that there is demand from cruise lines and the broader maritime industry for cleaner fuels, but we need governments, producers and end-users to collaborate and scale-up the availability of these much-needed and new sources of power.”
According to MSC Cruises, the supply chain for the bio-LNG fuel is fully compliant with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive and each batch has been certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification.
“MSC Euribia’s first voyage will be an incredible feat and represents years of commitment and determination,” said Michele Francioni, senior vice president of MSC Cruises. “It should prove that we have the capability to operate on a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions basis with existing ship technology.
“This is just the beginning. We are committed to this transition and putting in place everything we can do to facilitate it. It cannot be done without alternative fuels such as bio-LNG, e-LNG, green hydrogen or green methanol being made widely available at scale to fully realise the vision of net-zero cruising.”