MSC World Europa completed its first set of sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean last weekend as MSC Euribia was floated out in Saint-Nazaire, France.
MSC Cruises has invested €3 billion in three liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels – including a ship currently called World Class II – with MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard.
MSC World Europa’s sea trials consisted of testing the performance of the ship’s engines, manoeuvrability, fuel consumption, safety systems, speed and stopping distances.
MSC Euribia was floated out and has now been moved to a wet dock before it joins the line’s fleet in June 2023.
Executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “We made an important pledge last year to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, leading the cruise industry on the path to decarbonisation.
“MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia will play a fundamental role in this journey.
“LNG is the cleanest marine fuel currently available at scale that reduces emissions significantly.”
The line claims LNG fuel eliminates local air pollutant emissions like sulphur oxides and reduces nitrogen oxides by up to 85%.
Vago confirmed the line was “actively investing” in research and development of alternative fuel solutions, including a pilot LNG-powered solid oxide fuel cell on MSC World Europa.
This winter, MSC World Europa, which will be able to accommodate up to 6,762 passengers, will debut in the Persian Gulf.
The ship will offer seven-night voyages between December 2022 and March 2023 from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, both United Arab Emirates; Dammam, Saudi Arabia; and Doha, Qatar.
In March 2023, MSC World Europa will head to the Mediterranean and operate seven-night cruises calling into Italian ports of Genoa, Naples, Messina, as well as Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille.
MSC Euribia will enter service in June 2023, operating seven night itineraries to the Norwegian Fjords from the German port of Kiel.