MSC Cruises Flexes Environmental Dedication with Inexperienced Tech – Cruise Trade Information

In 2021 two new MSC Cruises ships will be launched, the MSC Virtuosa and the MSC Seashore. According to the cruise line, both ships will be equipped with a wide range of the latest generation of environmental technologies and equipment.

Both new buildings will be equipped with hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) and selective catalytic reduction systems (SCR), which will reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by 98% and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 90%.

Its wastewater treatment systems are designed in accordance with the International Maritime Organization’s resolution MEPC 227 (64) and achieve cleaning standards that are higher than most onshore wastewater treatment plants, MSC said in a press release.

Like all newbuildings from MSC Cruises, they will also be equipped with shore power so that they can be connected to local power grids if infrastructure is available.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, said, “Our long-term goal is to achieve a zero impact cruise operation and this is the journey we are on today. As we work with our partners to identify new technologies that will bring us closer to that goal with every new ship we build and commission, we continue to equip our ships with the latest and most effective technologies on the market. “

In addition, MSC has announced that it is partnering with several industry players on a research project promoting low carbon shipping by combining advanced energy technologies and innovative ship design. Under the leadership of the University of Vaasa, the CHEK consortium – deCarbonising sHipping by enabling a symbiosis of key technologies for the conceptual design project for real ships – includes MSC Cruises, the World Maritime University, Wärtsilä, Cargill, Lloyds Register, Silverstream Technologies, Hasytec, Deltamarin, Climeon and BAR Technologies.

The consortium is expected to receive substantial funding from Horizon 2020 – the European Union’s framework program for research and innovation.

According to MSC, the project aims to demonstrate the synergetic benefits of innovative technologies such as hydrogen propulsion, ultrasonic antifouling, hull air lubrication, waste-to-energy systems and digitized optimization software that are fully integrated to maximize efficiency in all aspects of ship operations.

Looking ahead, MSC World Europa, the company’s first LNG ship, will be delivered in 2022.

The first LNG ship for MSC will also receive a 50 kilowatt LNG powered solid oxide fuel cell technology project that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an additional 25% compared to a traditional LNG engine.

Linden Coppell, Director of Sustainability at MSC Cruises, said: “Every new ship added to our fleet contains solutions to minimize our environmental footprint. MSC Virtuosa and MSC Seashore will be no exception. When new technologies are identified, we also work to improve the existing fleet, investigate retrofit options, incorporate new energy saving measures, work closely with industry experts, and look for alternative fuels in order to meet our industry’s ambitious goals to reduce carbon intensity . ”