MSC receives world’s biggest LNG cruise vessel

MSC Group’s Cruise Unit and Chantiers de l’Atlantique celebrated the successful delivery of the MSC World Europa, the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG)-operated cruise vessel and one of the first ever to operate on fuel-cell technology. MSC welcomed MSC World Europa as their 20th vessel, and the first one was LNG-powered.

The path-breaking vessel represents the next phase in our journey toward net zero and sustainable cruising and symbolises our unwavering commitment to both.

MSC World Europa reportedly represents a huge step forward for the Cruise Division, the MSC Group, and the maritime industry, with various unexpected innovations in marine and environmental technologies, designs, and guest-centric features.

This is the consequence of over four years of collaboration between them, the builders Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and several renowned and reliable providers of next-gen environmental and maritime technologies and solutions, as well as several thousands of hours of training for those at the ports or onboard.

Now more than ever, we need to establish closer cooperation with Governments, suppliers, and others to complement m continued investments and take steps toward the zero-emissions future we desire.

The innovative technologies introduced here to use on the vessels can benefit society, not just the overall cruise industry or the shipping sector.

Laurent Castaing, the GM of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, said they’d reached a new stage in the cruise industry with MSC World Europa, the most giant vessel built for a European shipowner. She’s equipped with the most advanced technologies to offer guests an incredible cruising experience.

From a technical point of view, MSC World Europa, powered with an advanced LNG propulsion system, presents a new performance level and efficiency for the cruise industry.

This represents a significant milestone in reducing emissions as MSC World Europa is the least emitting vessel in the cruise industry.

MSC World Europa is the first contemporary cruise vessel to feature a new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology reportedly enabled by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The ship will include a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator that will use LNG to produce heat and electricity on board in a highly efficient way by an electrochemical reaction. It will be a testbed to speed the development of fuel cell technology for next-gen m cruise ships and provides a potential to deploy hybrid propulsion solutions in the future.