MSC Cruises has revealed the name of its second World-class vessel at its steel cutting ceremony – just weeks before the launch of World Europa.
MSC’s second World-class ship will be called MSC World America and will be deployed in North America in 2025.
The line said: “This is further proof of the line’s commitment to deploy its newest ships to this important cruise market and to provide US guests with a ship and guest experience that is tailored to them.”
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Maiden World-class vessel World Europa was delivered to the line on Monday (October 24) at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, before it is officially named in Doha on November 13.
MSC says the ship is the world’s largest liquefied-powered (LNG) cruise ship and “one of the first” cruise ships to use solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology.
Linden Coppell, vice-president of sustainability at MSC Cruises, said: “We anticipate SOFC will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases substantially.
“It also has the advantage of not only being compatible with LNG, but also with low and zero carbon fuels such as green methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen.”
The line added MSC World Europa would pave the way “towards the uptake of carbon-neutral synthetic and other alternative fuels as soon as they are available at scale”.
Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the cruise division of MSC Group, said: “This vessel represents the next phase in our journey toward net zero and sustainable cruising and a symbol of our unwavering commitment to both.
“MSC World Europa represents a major step forward for our cruise division, the entire MSC Group, and our industry.”
He also called for “closer cooperation” between suppliers, governments and other stakeholders as the industry takes steps towards “the zero emissions future we all desire”.
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