MSC Cruises has said it its “firmly committed” to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions for its marine operations by 2050.
The Swiss-based cruise giant has a fleet of 22 modern ships, with three new ships due to be launched in 2025, 2026, and 2027.
The first of these – MSC World America – will be one of the most energy-efficient cruise ships in the world, surpassing all design requirements under the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).
The ship’s latest-generation engines will reduce greenhouse gases emissions (GHG) by up to 20%, along with an 85% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions and a nearly total elimination of sulphur oxide and particulate emissions. The ship is capable of running on Bio-LNG and Synthetic Renewable LNG, either of which would achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions of up to 100%.
MSC Cruises has reduced the intensity of its ship operations by 33.5% since 2008, and the company will achieve a 40% reduction ahead of the IMO 2030 target.
Far beyond simply finding further operational efficiencies, MSC Cruises is embracing new technologies and identify paths for switching to non-carbon and renewable fuels, while working with fuel providers and other partners on using Bio-LNG and Synthetic Renewable LNG in the near term.
