May 24, 2022 - The LNG-powered MSC World Europa will be the first modern cruise ship with fuel cell technology capable of significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
MSC WORLD EUROPE
- The new building is another milestone on the shipping company's path to emission-free ship operation
- The new MSC Cruises flagship will feature additional technologies that will help minimize the impact on the environment
- The ship will be the world's largest LNG-powered cruise ship and the 20th in MSC Cruises' fleet when it enters service in November
MSC World Europa will be the most environmentally friendly and efficient ship in the MSC Cruises fleet when it enters service in October 2022. The ship will feature solid oxide fuel cells, a selective catalytic reduction system and enhanced shore power. It is also the world's largest cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas.
MSC World Europa is the first cruise ship to be equipped with LNG-powered solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology developed by MSC Cruises, Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Bloom Energy. On board are five Wärtsilä 14V 46DF dual-fuel engines, typically running on LNG and occasionally low-sulphur marine diesel. In addition, a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator is installed, which generates additional energy and enables efficiency gains and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional combustion engines. Lessons learned from ship operations will accelerate the development of fuel cell technology for modern cruise ships and offer the potential to enable hybrid propulsion solutions in the future.
Linden Coppell, Director of Sustainability at MSC Cruises
"We are committed to an emission-free future. That's why we're investing in the development of low-carbon fuels and solutions that will accelerate the decarbonization of shipping. MSC World Europa will be our most efficient ship yet, helping us to test and improve environmental technologies for the future of our fleet. With this project, we are also strengthening partnerships with technology providers, energy companies, universities and regulators - because together we are working towards a zero-emission future."
Compared to standard marine fuels, LNG almost completely eliminates air pollutant emissions such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and achieves a CO2 reduction of up to 25 percent. LNG will also enable the development of low-carbon fuels and solutions such as green hydrogen, bio-LNG and fuel cells. Conventional marine fuels cannot support these new solutions.
The environmental technologies of MSC World Europe
The MSC World Europe is with a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) equipped that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 percent when no LNG is available and the ship is running on marine diesel. With LNG fuel delivering a similar reduction, MSC World Europa will always meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) Stage III nitrogen oxide emissions standards. In addition, the MSC World Europe by connecting to the Shore power supply switch off their own engines as far as possible in corresponding ports.
Like all new MSC Cruises ships, MSC World Europa has the most modern wastewater treatment technology according to the IMO Resolution MEPC 227(64), which corresponds to the world's most stringent legal requirements, the so-called "Baltic Standard". An advanced ballast water cleaning system will prevent the introduction of invasive species into the marine environment through ballast water discharges and complies with the Ballast Water Management convention of the IMO.
There are one on board MSC World Europa Variety of energy-efficient solutions, which help to reduce and optimize energy consumption. These include intelligent ventilation and advanced air conditioning systems with automatic energy recovery loops that redistribute heat and cold to reduce demand. To improve the energy balance, the ship uses smart controlled LED lighting. MSC World Europa's innovative hull shape helps reduce drag. The ship will also be equipped with digital data acquisition systems for remote energy consumption monitoring and advanced analytics. This enables real-time support from shore to optimize onboard operational efficiency.
These efficiency gains and the use of LNG enable operational performance well in excess of the IMO's required energy design criteria for new ships. MSC World Europe is designed to exceed the required Energy Efficiency Index (EEDI) by 47 percent.
The design of the ship's hull and engine room also reduce the underwater sounds to protect sea creatures.
The upcoming LNG ships from MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises has ordered three LNG-powered ships. They will be delivered between 2022 and 2025. The investments amount to a total volume of more than three billion euros. MSC World Europa will be followed by MSC Euribia, currently under construction in Saint Nazaire and scheduled to enter service in 2023. According to previous plans, the construction of the third ship will start in early 2023.
Booking options MSC World Europe
