MSC Cruises’ newest ship, MSC Euribia, is to set sail as the world’s first net zero gas emissions voyage.
The liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered MSC Euribia,will depart the port of Saint-Nazaire, France on 3rd June, where she is currently being built – on the way to Copenhagen for her naming ceremony on 7th June and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions to demonstrate that net zero cruising is possible today.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, said: “This industry-first net zero gas emissions voyage of our latest flagship MSC Euribia heralds another significant step on our decarbonisation journey and demonstrates more than anything the extent of our commitment.”
MSC Cruises purchased 400 tonnes of bio-LNG to show its commitment to the deployment of drop-in renewable fuels and energy transition measures towards the pioneering net zero gas emissions voyage. The line is the industry’s first deep sea ocean cruise operator to buy bio-LNG as a fuel source that has significant lifecycle emissions reductions.
Mr Vago continued: “We cannot do this alone, however. Given the absolute importance of alternative fuels for our industry as well as for other sectors across civil society to achieve decarbonization, we all need to work together to increase their availability at scale. Our purchase of bio-LNG will send a clear and meaningful signal to the market that there is demand from cruise lines and the broader maritime industry for cleaner fuels, but we need governments, producers and end-users to collaborate and scale-up the availability of these much-needed and new sources of power.”
The net zero sailing will utilise bio-LNG using a mass-balance system, the most environmentally efficient method of delivering the benefits of renewable biogas and chain will be fully compliant with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive, commonly known as RED II. Each individual batch of the total bio-LNG produced has been certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification.
Michele Francioni, SVP, MSC Cruises, added, “MSC Euribia’s first voyage will be an incredible feat and represents years of commitment and determination. It should prove that we have the capability to operate on a net zero greenhouse gas emissions basis with existing ship technology.”
