MSC signs for 2 more LNG-powered ships, looks ahead to the future

MSC Cruises has signed a firm contract with Chantiers de l’Atlantique for construction of its third and fourth LNG-powered MSC World Class ships, reinforcing a focus on the development and utilization of next-generation environmental technologies.

At a ceremony held this at the Matignon Palace, the French Prime Minister’s the official residence, the two companies signed contracts – valued at more than EUR 2 billion – for the construction of MSC Cruises’ third and fourth LNG-powered MSC World Class ships, to be delivered in 2025 and 2027.

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The first of the initial two ships in the class is currently under construction at Chantiers’ shipyard in Saint-Nazaire and is due to enter service in 2022. With 205,000 GT, she will become the biggest vessel operated by a European cruise line as well as the first LNG-powered cruise ship built in France. Compared to standard marine fuel, LNG combined with saving measures decreases sulphur emissions and particulate matter by 99 per cent, NOx emissions by 85 per cent, and CO2 emissions by 25 per cent.

Cruising into the future

MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique also extended their partnership over the next decade with two additional newbuild projects. First, the companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of a new prototype class of LNG-powered cruise ships to operate under the MSC Cruises brand. For this project, MSC Cruises, Chantiers de l’Atlantique and other partners will focus on developing emerging environmental technologies in line in particular with IMO’s vision for 2030 and 2050. The four vessels in this new class would represent a capital investment exceeding EUR 4 billion and an extra 30 million working hours for the yard, the suppliers and subcontractors involved in the project.

A second MoU sees MSC Cruises partnering with Chantiers de l’Atlantique in the development of yet another innovative prototype ship class concept with which they will explore opportunities that wind power and other advanced technologies could bring to passenger shipping.

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