by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:35 AM ET, Mon November 13, 2023
MSC Cruises ordered two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ships with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique, to be delivered in 2026 and 2027.
The cruise line’s two new ships will join the MSC World Europa and the upcoming MSC World America, in the line’s newest class, called the World Class. There is also an option for a fifth ship to be built in the later future.
The two new ships will feature shore power plug-in capability, the most advanced wastewater treatment systems designed in line with new advances in waste management and several other optimizations to save energy and reduce emissions.
The first two World Class ships are some of the most energy efficient ships, often performing better than the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Energy Efficiency Design Index. As alternative fuels continue their development, the World Class ships will be prepared to use biofuel, synthetic methane, green methanol and other options.
“We are proud to continue our 20-year partnership with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, with whom we have already built 18 ships with our 19th under construction,” said MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago.
“The World Class is a truly innovative prototype and together we are building some of the most advanced ships in the world," Vago continued. "We are committed to researching and investing in future environmental technologies as they become available, to ensure we continue progressing on our decarbonisation journey to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
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