MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique made an announcement about MSC’s next-generation ships, the World Europa will have two 75 kW solid oxide fuel cells onboard running on natural gas. The ship’s power will be produced from a liquid natural gas that will run the main engines. The aim of the next generation ships is not only to reduce the emission of the ships, but to be able to operate at zero emissions, as Pierfrancesco Vago, the executive chairman of MSC Cruises, announced, encouraging the producers, regulators and other stakeholders to stimulate its development and participate in the supply chain.

He added that MSC is further studying other fuel technologies, especially the hydrogen as a potential and compatible with LNG engines. Fuel cells offer another pathway and the two 75 kW units installed on the World Europa will serve as a test project in a real operational environment. Also, yesterday was the day of the coin ceremony for the sister ship, the Euribia, and to recognize the contributions of Valentina Mancini, corporate brand manager for MSC Cruises in Geneva, and from Chantiers, Anna Claire Juventin, who heads up the yard’s quality control, as godmother.