The MSC Foundation has begun work on a Marine Conservation Centre on the cruise line’s private island Ocean Cay.
Passengers calling at the island, in the Bahamas, will be able to get involved with future projects and learn about MSC’s conservation work, including reversing the decline in coral reefs.
A ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the 64-square-mile centre, which will include a laboratory and coral nursery, was held during the naming ceremony of new flagship MSC Seashore.
It will be used by biologists, coral reef experts and students.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises executive chairman, said the development was another milestone on the private island – leased from the Bahamian government – that was formerly a sand mine strewn with 7,500 tonnes of scrap metal.
He explained: “We did not want to offer a theme park as we have that on the ship.
“We wanted to offer customers a natural experience.”
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