Decarbonization Award 2024
MSC Euribia: a zero-carbon voyage to the future
"This first zero-emission voyage marks another significant step by MSC Cruises towards decarbonization and demonstrates the extent of our commitment."
- Fernando Pacheco, General Manager of MSC Cruises in Spain
MSC Cruises has made history by making the first voyage of a cruise ship with zero net carbon emissions thanks to its new flagship, MSC Euribia. This achievement, awarded in the Decarbonization category of the Traveling for Happiness 2024 awards, reflects the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation in shipping. By operating using bio-LNG (bio-based liquefied natural gas) and a mass balance system, MSC Euribia proved that zero-emission cruising is possible, setting a precedent for the future of the industry.
Launched in June 2023, the MSC Euribia made a historic voyage with zero net emissions from the Saint-Nazaire shipyard (France) to Copenhagen (Denmark), where she held her inauguration ceremony. This pioneering voyage was powered by 400 tons of bio-LNG supplied by Nordic energy company Gasum, complying with the European Union's renewable energy directive, RED II. The supply chain was certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification, ensuring that each batch of bio-LNG contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This milestone represents a firm step towards MSC Cruises ' goal of operating with zero net emissions by 2050, positioning MSC Euribia as a model of sustainability in the cruise industry. According to MSC Cruises' general manager in Spain, Fernando Pacheco, "the importance of using alternative fuels to achieve decarbonization is absolute and we all have to work together to increase their availability."
Onboard energy efficiency initiatives
To maximize energy efficiency during the maiden voyage, MSC Cruises collaborated with Chantiers de L'Atlantique, the shipyard that built MSC Euribia. Various energy efficiency specialists were on board to oversee every aspect of the sailing, working alongside the ship's captain, Stefano Battinelli, and chief engineer, Pasquale Mastellone. Everything from the configuration of the engines to the speed of the air conditioning fans in the cabins was optimized to minimize energy consumption without compromising passenger comfort.
Pacheco stresses that "we need a concerted joint effort from governments, energy suppliers, shipyards, engine manufacturers, port authorities and other public and private organizations to create the right infrastructure and scale for renewables." MSC Cruises ' purchase of bio-GNL sends a clear signal to the market that there is a demand for cleaner fuels, and the company hopes this action will inspire others to join the transition to sustainable energy.
MSC Cruises ' commitment to sustainability has been widely recognized in the industry, having been awarded the Sustainability Initiative of the Year 2023 at the Seatrade Cruise Awards, held in Hamburg, Germany. This award reflects the positive impact MSC Cruises is making in its mission to achieve more environmentally friendly management.
MSC Euribia made a historic net-zero voyage from the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire (France) to Copenhagen (Denmark). Photo: MSC Cruises
Collaboration and leadership in the maritime industry
In addition to continuing to invest in bio-LNG, the company is also exploring other alternative fuels, such as green hydrogen, e-LNG and green methanol, which could be adapted to its new ship constructions in the future. This flexibility in fuel use ensures that MSC 's ships are compatible with technological innovations that will be developed in the coming decades.
This leadership commitment extends to all levels of the company, from engineers on the ground to officers on board, who strive to implement practices that minimize the environmental impact of each voyage. In the words of the CEO, "since 2015 we have developed a comprehensive Sustainability Action Plan, establishing four key areas: planet, people, place and procurement; with corresponding activities, objectives and measurable targets."
Thus, this first net-zero emissions voyage symbolizes a promise kept and a long-term commitment to protecting the oceans and the coasts they visit. MSC Cruises continues to lead the industry towards a cleaner and more efficient future, where respect for the environment and technological innovation go hand in hand. The company has made sustainability a fundamental part of its DNA, with the conviction that maritime tourism can and must be a positive force for the planet.
MSC Cruises' commitment to sustainability has been widely recognized in the industry. Photo: MSC Cruises