Chantiers de l'Atlantique floats out MSC World Europa, lays keel for MSC Euribia

'Today is another important milestone in our journey towards net zero emissions by 2050 for our marine operations,' MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said. He added that LNG is the cleanest fuel currently available at scale for MSC's operations so it's a bridge to the future.

First LNG cruise ships built in France

'We have a lot more to do but I am pleased that despite all that we have faced from the pandemic over the last two years, we have still been able to achieve with our partners at Chantiers de L’Atlantique the launch of these new LNG vessels — the first ever made in France that will also introduce potential new fuel cell technologies to make them even more efficient,' Vago continued.

'We now need to take even bigger steps and we will need the continued support of our suppliers, partners and governments to achieve this. We all need to work together to achieve our green future.'

15th and 16th for MSC from Chantiers

Chantiers de l'Atlantique GM Laurent Castaing noted MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia are the 15th and the 16th vessels from Saint-Nazaire for MSC Cruises, 'which shows the outstanding quality of the relationship we established between our two companies since the '90s.'

Castaing said these builds 'represent a giant step towards what the cruise ships of the future will look like. At their delivery, they will have the best carbon footprint of the market in terms of emissions per passenger day.'

SOFC fuel cell

MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique also confirmed the installation of a fuel cell pilot plant, Blue Horizon, aboard MSC World Europa.

This technology — a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) developed by Bloom Energy — will use LNG to convert fuel into electricity at one of the highest efficiencies of any power solution available today, to provide electricity and heat on board.

30% GHG reduction compared with conventional LNG engine

This SOFC will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about a further 30% compared with a conventional LNG engine, without producing emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides or fine particles.

It also offers the advantage of being compatible with LNG, as well as several low carbon fuels such as types of methanol, ammonia and hydrogen.

This project forms the building block for future larger installations and begins even closer collaboration between MSC and Chantiers on R&D of fuel cell technology.

MSC Euribia coin ceremony

A traditional coin ceremony also took place today as MSC Euribia's keel was laid. Anne Claire Juventin, responsible for quality control at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and Valentina Mancini, brand manager from MSC Cruises, placed two coins under the keel for good luck.

Now that MSC World Europa has been launched, it will be moved to a wet dock for continued work leading up to delivery in November 2022.

MSC World Europa's aft section houses an 11-deck-high slide

This is a new design that features a Y-shaped aft that leads to a 104-meter, half open/half covered Europa Promenade overlooked by balcony cabins. The space includes The Venom Drop @ The Spiral, an 11-deck-high slide.

MSC World Europa is scheduled for an inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf starting in December next year. Weeklong cruises from Dubai will visit Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, Dammam in Saudi Arabia and Doha, Qatar.

In late March 2023, MSC World Europa will head to the Mediterranean for a weeklong summer itinerary comprised of Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille.

MSC World Europa II

The construction of MSC World Europa II is scheduled to commence in early 2023.