The rise and rise of MSC cruises continues with two additional LNG-powered MSC World Class ships to be launched in 2025 and 2027.
The third and fourth LNG-powered ships are in addition to the first two announced earlier with the first ship currently under construction and will debut in 2022. At 205,000 gross tonnage, the LNG-powered ship will accommodate more than 6700 passengers, making her the biggest vessel to be operated by a European cruise line.
MSC has committed to spend up to Euro11.6 billion to see its fleet increase from 17 to 25 ships by 2027. Her fleet is one of the most environmentally-advanced in the industry, the line said.
MSC and shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique have also signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of a new prototype class of LNG-powered cruise ships focusing on emerging environmental technologies.
A second memorandum of understanding has also been signed to develop another innovative prototype ship, exploring the use of wind power and other advanced technologies.
MSC executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said:“The three agreements signed today extend our investment plan up to 2030. They stem from an exceptional partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, that has already delivered 15 highly-innovative cruise ships over the past two decades and will see many more vessels come to life at Saint-Nazaire’s docks in the next 10 years.”
MSC has a long-term goal to achieve zero emissions by investing in new energy solutions and environmental technologies. This month, MSC became the first major global line to achieve a carbon neutral fleet when it offset 100 per cent of its ships carbon emissions that cannot be abated through currently existing environmental technology.
