99 MSC Group’s Cruise Division, which includes MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, is also prioritising flexibility rather than betting on a single fuel or technology. “We recognise that no single technology represents a complete decarbonisation solution for the shipping industry, and we continue to evaluate performance data across a range of fuels as part of our longterm energy transition strategy,” says Michele Francioni, the line’s senior vice president and chief energy transition officer. “However, we are confident that bio-LNG and other renewable methane pathways are among the most practical, cost-effective and scalable options going forward. These fuels are able to deliver significant lifecycle emissions reductions and even achieve net-zero emissions while working with existing engine technologies and infrastructure.” The cruise company has backed that confidence with significant investment. “In 2025, MSC Cruise Division purchased over 9,800 tonnes of certified renewable fuels, resulting in emissions reductions of nearly 49,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).” Both cruise lines are pairing fuel strategy with efficiency retrofits onboard their vessels. “Our approach to decarbonisation focuses on a combination of operational efficiency, technology upgrades and infrastructure readiness,” says Naigur, pointing to NCLH’s Sail & Sustain programme. “We are investing in measures such as shore power connectivity, waste heat recovery systems, energy-efficiency improvements and technologies that help optimise vessel performance and reduce fuel consumption. While no single technology will deliver decarbonisation on its own, the cumulative impact of these initiatives is meaningful.” MSC Group has looked to digital tools to help in its own decarbonisation journey. “We have installed Oceanly Performance, an advanced software system, on all ships in the fleets of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys,” explains Francioni. “This innovation allows us to collect and review thousands of raw data points to monitor every aspect of energy consumption in real time onboard, to optimise propulsion performance and hotel loads, to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions.” The results are already showing promise. “In 2025, operational efficiency measures reduced emissions by more than 52,000 tonnes of CO2e,” he says. “More than 60 per cent of these reductions came from propulsion improvements, with a further 35 per cent driven by enhancements in hotel operations, and the remainder from engine load optimisation.” Shore power technology is emerging as one of the most significant solutions in the industry’s sustainability strategy. “When ships are in port, shore power offers one of the most significant opportunities to reduce emissions by allowing vessels to connect to the local electrical grid rather than running onboard engines where infrastructure is available,” says Naigur. The road towards widespread adoption of shore power has now been in the making for years. “We have fitted shore power capability as standard on all our ships since 2017 and continue to retrofit it across the fleet,” says Francioni. “By the end of 2026, MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys will have a total of 22 ships out of 27 equipped 1 Advanced waste water treatment system 2 Air lubrication system 3 Ballast water management system 4 Digital twin technology 5 Energy-efficient boilers 6 Energy-efficient windows 7 Energy management system 8 Energy storage system 9 Environmental testing and monitoring 10 Fresh water generation 11 Fuel cells 12 Fuel oil emulsion technology 13 Galley energy management system 14 Heat recovery system 15 Hull coatings 16 Hull form optimisation 17 Hull and propeller cleaning 18 Hybrid marine propulsion system 19 Lightweight insulation 20 Low-energy appliances 21 Low-flow faucets 22 Propeller efficiency 23 Propulsion optimisation 24 Remote monitoring and predictive maintenance 25 Retractable thrusters 26 Rudder design 27 Selective catalytic reduction system 28 Sensor technology 29 Shore power solutions for ships 30 Smart HVAC 31 Smart LED lighting 32 Solar power 33 Stabiliser system 34 Trim and draft optimisation 35 Vacuum toilets 36 Voyage optimisation platform 37 Waste to energy 38 Wind propulsion MS Cruise & Ferry is a conceptual vessel highlighting 38 areas of passenger ship design where carbon-cutting choices can be made A model ship for cutting carbon 17 22 33 19 4 2 6 35 38 20 31 14 16 15 21 32 7 26 29 36 18 25 11 8 13 1 10 3 5 30 28 12 27 34 9 37 DESIGNED BY NAME DATE VERSION MS CRUISE & FERRY AW/2026 2.0
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