MSC Group takes delivery of MSC World...

The ship will be the line’s most environmentally friendly vessel

- MSC World Europa is the world’s first contemporary cruise ship to feature brand new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG)
- The ship will include a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator that will use LNG to produce electricity and heat on board in a highly efficient way by means of an electrochemical reaction
- Efficiency advances, and the use of LNG, will enable an operational performance far higher that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)-required energy design criteria for new ships
- MSC World Europa is designed to perform 47% better than the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) required by regulation

MSC Group has officially taken delivery of MSC World Europa, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered cruise ship and one of the first vessels to incorporate fuel cell technology.

The ceremony at the shipbuilder’s yard in Saint-Nazaire in France marked the next step in a long-term and successful partnership between the two companies that has resulted in the building of the most innovative and environmentally advanced cruise ship to date for the MSC Cruises’ fleet.

MSC Group Cruise Division executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “MSC World Europa represents a major step forward for our Cruise Division, the entire MSC Group, and our industry, with a range of unprecedented innovations in terms of environmental and marine technologies, design and guest-centric features. This is the result of more than four years of work between us, builders Chantiers de l’Atlantique and numerous leading providers of next-generation environmental and maritime technologies and solutions as well as many thousands of hours of training for those onboard and at ports.

“Now more than ever, we need closer cooperation from suppliers, governments and others to complement our continued investments and take further steps towards the zero emissions future we all desire. The innovative technologies we create here to use on our vessels can benefit all of society, not just the cruise industry or the shipping sector overall.”

Chantiers de l’Atlantique general manager Laurent Castaing added: “We have reached a new stage in the cruise industry with MSC World Europa, the largest ship ever built for a European shipowner. She is equipped with all the latest technologies to offer the passengers an unprecedented cruising experience.

"From a technological standpoint MSC World Europa, which is equipped with an LNG propulsion system, presents a new level of performance and efficiency of the cruise industry. This represents a major milestone in minimising emissions as MSC World Europa is the least emitting ship of the entire cruise industry.”

MSC World Europa’s additional special features include a micro-brewery, gin bar, healthy juice bar, coffee emporium and teahouse. In addition, the ship has 13 different dining options, including two new speciality restaurants, La Pescaderia, serving seafood and Chef’s Garden Kitchen, a seasonal farm-to-ocean concept.

For more information, visit www.msccruises.co.uk