August 14, 2024 – MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys have commissioned their sister company, MSC, the world leader in container shipping, to optimize the supply chains for their cruise ships through the use of smart containers. This innovative technology ensures that only the freshest and highest quality products make it on board the ships.
MSC Euribia in Kiel Ostuferhafen
Technology for freshness and quality
The smart containers that MSC Cruises are equipped with the latest, internet-enabled measuring devices. These devices continuously monitor important parameters such as the position, temperature and humidity of the transported goods. The recorded data is stored at the MSC headquarters in Antwerp monitored around the clock. If a problem occurs during transport by land or sea, an alarm is immediately triggered so that the supplier can intervene immediately to prevent possible damage. This proactive monitoring minimizes the risk of quality loss, especially with sensitive foods.
Optimal conditions for sensitive goods
The smart containers are particularly valuable for the transport of chilled and frozen products such as meat, fish, seafood and dairy products. By precisely monitoring and controlling the conditions in the container, MSC can ensure that the food arrives on the cruise ships in perfect condition. Paolo Raia, Managing Director of MSC Procurement & Logistics, emphasizes: "The use of smart containers has had a very positive impact on food transport, especially in markets where we cannot always source all products locally."
Local procurement and global logistics
Despite the global use of smart containers, MSC Cruises sources around 96 percent of its food from local suppliers. Only when certain products are not available locally are they brought to the ships from international depots. One example of the successful use of this technology is the depot in Genoa, northern Italy, where MSC Cruises used smart containers last year and thereby achieved a higher level of quality assurance than before.
Extensive logistics for an impressive fleet
The scale of the food supply for the MSC Cruises fleet is impressive: Currently, 22 ships are supplied with over 5.500 different types of food and beverages every year. The impressive figures include 32 million eggs, six million liters of milk and 170.000 oysters. Consumption during an average 7-night trip is also considerable: around 22.500 kilograms of fresh fruit, 20 tons of vegetables and 5.400 kilograms of fish are needed per ship.
Smart technology plays a crucial role in getting these huge quantities of food to the ships in optimal condition. By continuously monitoring humidity and temperature, parameters can be adjusted as needed during transport to ensure the freshness and quality of the products.
A look into the pantries
The annual supply of the MSC Cruises fleet includes:
- 223.000 litres of extra virgin olive oil
- 5 million kg of flour
- 8 million liters of beer
- 383.000 kg of sausage products
For an average 7-night trip, for example, the following quantities are required:
- 1.000 kg butter
- 9.500 bottles of wine
- 3.200 kg rice
Conclusion
MSC's use of smart containers sets new standards in the quality assurance of food delivery for cruise ships. The innovative technology ensures that MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests are always supplied with the freshest and best food - regardless of global logistics. This investment in smart solutions shows how MSC Cruises is continuously improving the comfort and satisfaction of its guests.