On top of advances in terms of reduction of emissions and energy efficiency, MSC WORLD EUROPA also paves the way towards the uptake of carbon-neutral synthetic and other alternative fuels as soon as they are available at scale.  

The first cruise ship to feature fuel cell technology powered by LNG

MSC WORLD EUROPA is the world’s first contemporary cruise ship to feature brand new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The ship will include a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator that will use LNG to produce electricity and heat on board in a highly efficient way by means of an electrochemical reaction. It will be a testbed to accelerate the development of fuel cell technology for contemporary cruise ships and offers a potential to enable hybrid propulsion solutions in the future.

“We anticipate SOFC will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases substantially compared with conventional LNG engine without producing emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides or fine particles. 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. We could also in the future transition to synthetic LNG or other alternative non-carbon fuels,” said Linden Coppell, Vice President of Sustainability & ESG at MSC Cruises.

Energy efficiency

In partnership with the shipyard, MSC WORLD EUROPA has been designed with an innovative hull shape to minimise resistance through the water.

MSC WORLD EUROPA also incorporates a wide range of equipment to optimise energy use throughout the ship. These include smart ventilation and advanced air conditioning systems, with automated energy recovery loops, allowing effective distribution of heat and cold across the ship. The ship uses LED lighting throughout the ship, controlled by smart management systems to further enhance the energy saving profile.

It will also be fitted with enhanced automatic data collection systems for remote energy monitoring and advanced analysis, allowing real-time shoreside support to optimise operational efficiency onboard.

These efficiency advances, and the use of LNG, will enable an operational performance far higher that the IMO-required energy design criteria for new ships. MSC WORLD EUROPA is designed to perform 47% better than its Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) required by regulation.

Advanced water treatment and waste management systems, and other innovative features  

MSC WORLD EUROPA is equipped with an advanced wastewater treatment system (AWTS) that meets the world’s highest regulatory requirements, including the so-called Baltic standard. It treats all wastewater produced onboard to close to tap water standards. The ship also includes a state-of-the-art ballast water treatment system that prevents the introduction of invasive species in the marine environment through ballast water discharges, in compliance with IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention.

In addition, MSC World Europa features a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that reduces NOx emissions by 90% when LNG is not available, and the ship must run on marine gas oil. As LNG fuel achieves a similar reduction, MSC WORLD EUROPA will always be ready to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) Tier III NOx emissions standards. Like all MSC Cruises’ new builds, the ship is fitted with shore power capability, which allows for us to minimise engine use at ports where the required infrastructure is available.

MSC WORLD EUROPA’s hull and engine room have been designed to minimise acoustic underwater sound impact, reducing the potential impact on marine mammals in the surrounding waters.

Cruise experience

Boasting future-proof marine and onboard hospitality technologies, MSC WORLD EUROPA will offer a variety of never-before-seen concepts and creative areas. The design features a Y-shaped aft structure that leads to the 104-metre-long half-open half-covered Europa Promenade with ocean views. Brand new balcony cabins overlook the promenade, which features a striking architectural centrepiece in the form of The Venom Drop @ The Spiral, an 11-deck-high slide, the longest at sea.

MSC WORLD EUROPA’s ‘firsts’ include a micro-brewery, gin bar, healthy juice bar, coffee emporium and teahouse.  The ship has 13 different dining options including two new specialty restaurants, La Pescaderia that will offer fresh seafood and Chef’s Garden Kitchen will dish up seasonal farm-to-ocean cooking. 

Steel cutting ceremony of MSC WORLD AMERICA

The name of the second World Class ship was revealed during the steel cutting ceremony and MSC Cruises announced that MSC WORLD AMERICA is destined for North America when she comes into service in 2025. This is further proof of the line’s commitment to deploy its newest ships to this important cruise market and to provide U.S guests with a ship and guest experience that is tailored to them.  MSC WORLD AMERICA will become the fourth new flagship to be deployed in this region. 

Engines and fuels:

• 5 Wärtsilä 14V 46DF engines dual-fuel engines, that can run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and on low-sulphur marine gasoil (MGO)
• 150-kW solid oxide fuel cell demonstrator

Air Emissions:

• Selective catalytic reduction system that reduces NOx emissions by 90% when the ship runs on MGO (LNG offers a similar NOx reduction); MSC World Europa is capable of meeting IMO’s Tier III standards regardless of the fuel it uses
• Shore-to-ship power connectivity, allowing the ship to switch off engines at ports where shore-to-ship power infrastructure is available

Wastewater treatment:

• Advanced wastewater treatment system complying with the most stringent standards on IMO’s MEPC 227(64) Resolution (the so-called Baltic Standard)
• Ballast water treatment system with UV treatment to prevent the introduction of invasive species in the marine environment through ballast water discharges, in compliance with IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention

Underwater radiated noise management system with hull and engine room designs that minimises acoustic sound impact, reducing their potential effects on marine fauna, most particularly on marine mammals in the surrounding waters.

Key figures:

• Gross Tonnage – 215,863
• Length – 333.3m
• Width – 47m
• Height – 68m
• Passenger cabins – 2,626
• Passenger Capacity – 6,762