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MSC Euribia Cruise Ship, France

MSC Cruises’ most environmentally advanced ship MSC Euribia will enter its inaugural service from Kiel, Germany, in June 2023.

Vessel Type

LNG-powered cruise ship

Maximum Speed

Passenger capacity, expected maiden voyage, shipbuilder.

Chantiers de l’Atlantique

Owner and Operator

MSC Cruises

MSC Euribia is the second LNG-powered cruise ship, following MSC World Europa. It is being constructed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique for MSC Cruises, a global cruise line based in Geneva, Switzerland.

MSC Euribia will be the third Meraviglia-Plus class cruise ship following MSC Grandiosa and MSC Virtuosa and the most environmentally advanced one in the MSC Cruise fleet.

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Construction of MSC Euribia commenced in June 2021 with the steel cutting ceremony held at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire, France, followed by the keel laying ceremony in December 2021. The ship was floated out in June 2022 and successfully completed her sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean in April 2023.

The naming ceremony for MSC Euribia is scheduled to take place in June 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark, which will be immediately followed by her inaugural service in Northern Europe. The ship will embark on its seven nights maiden voyage from Kiel in Germany to Norwegian Fjords, including Geiranger, Alesund, and Flaam.

MSC Euribia’s design and features

MSC Euribia has a length of 331m, a beam width of 43m and a height of 65m. It has a gross tonnage of 183,500t.

The ship will feature 2,419 cabins to accommodate up to 6,327 passengers and 1,711 crew members.

The hull of the vessel will feature a mural artwork #SaveTheSea designed by German graphic artist Alex Flaemig, showcasing the beauty of the marine ecosystem. The iconic design will represent MSC Cruises’ commitment to protecting and preserving the aquatic environment.

The hull and engine room will be designed to minimise acoustic sound impact to reduce their potential effects on the marine ecosystem.

The ship will offer innovative features and facilities for an enhanced guest experience. A 360ft-long Mediterranean-style promenade lined with boutique bars and restaurants will feature an LED dome that will screen animations throughout the day and night. It will facilitate a space for socialising and entertainment for the passengers onboard.

The MSC for Me app will provide a multi-channel digital experience to the guests by offering them a more seamless, connected and carefree holiday with a more personalised cruising experience with interactive touchscreens, wristbands and more.

Accommodation aboard MSC Euribia

MSC Euribia will offer a wide variety of accommodations from deck 5 to deck 18 with family options, duplex suites with a private whirlpool bath and sea-view balcony cabins under MSC Yacht Club, Grand Suite Aurea, Premium Suite Aurea, Deluxe Balcony Aurea, Deluxe Ocean View, Studio balcony and interior among others.

The MSC Yacht Club will offer stylish private staterooms with lounges, a gourmet restaurant, a large private pool with solarium and whirlpool baths, a sun deck and full access to a thermal suite in the Balinese-designed MSC Aurea Spa.

MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite will have a 58m² area along with a 70m² balcony with a private whirlpool bath and dining table. MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with Whirlpool will be a two-deck-high cabin with a 59m² surface area and a balcony of approximately 23m². MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite will be smaller in size with a 29m 2 surface and a balcony of approximately 5m². MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite will have a 17m² surface area.

Dining venues and other amenities onboard

The cruise ship will feature ten dining venues, including five speciality restaurants, five main dining rooms and a 1,336-seat buffet. Some of the dining options include Indochine Restaurant, Kaito Sushi Bar, Kaito Teppanyaki, Marketplace Buffet and Hola! Tacos & Cantina, among others.

The vessel will have 21 bars and lounges, including five outdoor and 16 indoor bars. Some of them are Attic Club, Jean-Philippe Crepes & Gelato, Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Café, Red Gem Casino Bar, Sky Lounge, Horizon Bar, Sports Bar, Masters of the Sea, Champagne Bar, TV Studio & Bar, Atmosphere Bar North, Atmosphere Bar South, Sundeck & Bar, Atmosphere Ice Cream Bar, among others.

The ship’s entertainment and recreational features

The guests will be able to enjoy live performances in a 945-seat, 1,000m² Delphi Theatre located at the aft of the ship. It will run seven different theatrical shows including Circus 1920, Generation Rock, Illuminicity, Jukebox L!ve, Song Book – Ed Sheeran, Variety and guest entertainers, one on each weekday.

The multi-functional, 1,020m² Carousel Lounge, also located at the aft of the ship, will feature indoor and outdoor areas with two covered terraces. It will host guests to sit back and relax and enjoy snacks and leisure activities such as table games and ballroom dancing from morning to night. The lounge will host a one-of-a-kind live entertainment concept, Big Band at Sea, with a 19-piece in-house group of internationally acclaimed musicians and singers.

The ship will have five swimming pools, including an extensive pool with a retractable roof to accommodate more than 1,000 guests with comfort at a time. A coral-reef-themed water park styled with a live floor pool, three twisting slides, an adventurous ‘Himalayan Bridge’ and a range of activities suitable for all ages will offer fun for the whole family.

The MSC Aurea Spa will offer an exclusive thermal area with a sauna, steam bath and whirlpool, a professional hair and nail salon and a barber shop to the guests. A contemporary Balinese Spa will offer vast options of authentic massages and beauty treatments.

The ship will have a casino onboard to offer a wide variety of games such as Slot machines, Blackjack, Roulette, 3 Card Poker, Extreme Poker and Dream 21 to cater to different types of players.

Passengers can party with friends and enjoy the nights at the Attic Club. Sportplex will offer a large arena to the guests to play basketball, tennis, football and volleyball.

MSC Foundation Centre onboard will allow children to engage in educational games with a key focus on the environment. It also features an extensive children’s area for recreation. MSC Formula Racer will provide virtual car racing simulators to guests.

The propulsion systems onboard

MSC Euribia will be powered by five 14-cylinder Wartsila 46DF dual-fuel engines , fitted with nitrogen oxide reduction units and designed to run on LNG, heavy fuel oil or marine diesel oil.

The engines provide a power output ranging from 6.2MW to 18.3MW at 600rpm. The ship will also be fitted with two Wartsila LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems, seven Wartsila thrusters and two Wartsila fixed-pitch propellers.

The ship will be able to sail at a maximum speed of 22.30kt.

Sustainable features of MSC Euribia

MSC Euribia will feature an advanced wastewater treatment system that meets the Baltic Standard to treat wastewater onboard before it is released into the ocean. The ship will also be fitted with a freshwater production plant to minimise the sourcing of water from destinations ashore.

A selective catalytic reduction system on the ship will help the vessel meet International Maritime Organisation’s Tier III standards regardless of the fuel used. The underwater radiated noise management system will minimise the effects of vibrations on the marine ecosystem.

The hull of the ship will be coated with anti-fouling paint to reduce the growth of organisms and drag as well as enhance efficiency.

The vessel will feature a dockside connection system, which will allow the ship to switch off its engine and connect to the onshore power grid. The shore-to-ship power connectivity will significantly reduce emissions at the dockside.

The ship will be fitted with a wide array of energy-efficient equipment such as smart heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, energy-efficient LED illumination and fluorescent lighting, to improve energy efficiency.

The LNG-powered ship will produce 25% lesser carbon dioxide (CO₂) and 85% lesser nitrogen oxide compared to heavy marine fuels.

Contractors involved in the ship’s production

Wartsila, a marine engines manufacturer based in Finland, was contracted to supply a comprehensive package of integrated solutions designed to support and enhance the efficiency and environmental sustainability of the ship.

Amusement Logic, an amusement ride supplier based in Spain, was commissioned to design, manufacture and install elements for water parks and dry games on the ship. The contract also includes designing large murals on the walls and columns in the play areas.

Lego Group, a toy production company based in Denmark, was selected by MSC Cruises to design club areas and onboard activities for children.

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THE CRUISE DIVISION OF MSC GROUP PUBLISHES DATA AND LEARNINGS FROM WORLD-FIRST NET ZERO EMISSIONS CRUISE

•  during the 4-day sailing, the msc euribia surpassed its forecast performance resulting in 43 tonnes less fuel use than planned. •  a “digital twin” technology was used to benchmark the ship’s performance. •  with heating and hot water on board produced by capturing waste heat from msc euribia’s engines, the boilers on board were not required. •  all proving that msc cruises’ newest flagship does indeed have the most energy-efficient cruise ship design to-date-..

Geneva, Switzerland 7 September 2023 – The world’s first net zero greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions cruise ship voyage, achieved MSC Euribia, the Cruise Division of MSC Group’s newest LNG-powered vessel, marks a paradigm shift for cruising. It proves that net-zero emissions cruising is possible already today, significantly ahead of the 2050 target for the industry. MSC Euribia achieved this milestone by utilising bio-LNG as fuel by applying mass balance.

Following MSC Euribia’s landmark net-zero GHG emission maiden voyage from Saint Nazaire, France to Copenhagen, Denmark, between 3 and 8 June 2023 – including one day in Amsterdam –, MSC Cruises is now able to share the key data and insights gathered from the journey. During the four-day voyage, MSC Euribia performed 11% better than her digital twin – a virtual ship reproducing the optimum energy flow and utilisation on board - achieving an overall saving of 43 tonnes of fuel. Optimal speed profiles, routing, trim and engine configuration, and strict optimisation of the hotel`s energy consumption, including HVAC, galleys, and lightings, ensured that MSC Euribia  never had to use more than two of its four engines available during the voyage. In addition, all the required heat for galleys, heating systems and hot water on board was recovered from MSC Euribia’s engines, meaning there was no need to utilise the boilers for the entire voyage.

Achieving net-zero performance was made possible by using bio-LNG as a fuel. MSC Euribia utilised bio-LNG using a mass-balance system, the most cost-effective and environmentally efficient method of delivering the benefits of renewable LNG, fully recognised by the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). Each batch of bio-LNG produced was certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC).

The successful completion of this voyage sends a clear signal that net zero GHG emissions marine operations are possible today if alternative fuels are available. The data harvested and information gathered during the trip will then be used to optimise the existing ships in the fleet, further driving down emissions intensity across the MSC Cruises’ fleet. Michele Francioni, Senior Vice President of Optimisation for the Cruise Division of MSC Group, commented: “ We are extremely proud of this achievement, that proves net-zero cruising is possible today. Our engineers on board and our crew led by Captain Battinelli did a fantastic job optimising the ship's operation. MSC Euribia truly has the most energy-efficient cruise ship design to-date, but we need greater availability of renewable fuels for the wider maritime industry to consistently repeat this feat. With the right level of support from governments and international institutions in incentivizing acceleration of technological advancements and renewable fuels availability, the industry can achieve net-zero emissions cruising by 2050.” The recent signing of a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) between MSC Cruises and Gasum, a fuel supplier, will provide MSC with access to liquefied synthetic gas, or e-LNG, a renewable fuel produced using hydrogen, created by hydrolysis with renewable energy and captured carbon.

Linden Coppell, Vice President of Sustainability and ESG for MSC Cruises said:  “The partnership with Gasum will enable us to access new and cleaner fuels needed to make a significant step toward net zero cruising. We need more suppliers like Gasum to step up and support our industry. We are ready and waiting to buy more of these new fuels. In the meantime, we will continue to learn from the data from MSC Euribia’s net zero GHG voyage and use these findings as a benchmark for delivering our next LNG vessel.”

MSC Euribia’s pioneering net zero GHG emissions voyage was recently recognised within the cruise industry when it was awarded the accolade of ‘Sustainability Initiative of the Year 2023’*

*Seatrade Cruise Awards 2023, announced on 6 September in Hamburg, Germany.

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Media \ Press Releases \ 2022 \ MSC AND FINCANTIERI ANNOUNCE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO NEXT GENERATION EXPLORA JOURNEYS HYDROGEN-POWERED CRUISE SHIPS WITH INDUSTRY FIRST FEATURES

MSC AND FINCANTIERI ANNOUNCE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO NEXT GENERATION EXPLORA JOURNEYS HYDROGEN-POWERED CRUISE SHIPS WITH INDUSTRY FIRST FEATURES

06 July 2022

• New generation technologies on board EXPLORA V and VI will tackle methane slip issue effectively and allow for zero emissions operations while in port
• Explora Journeys fleet to now comprise six ships: EXPLORA III, IV, V and VI will all be LNG-powered, with the latter two also being hydrogen-powered

Geneva, Switzerland/Trieste, Italy – July 6, 2022 – Explora Journeys, the luxury travel brand of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, and Fincantieri, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, today announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of an additional two hydrogen-powered luxury cruise ships to take the total fleet number from four to six vessels.

EXPLORA V and VI will feature a new generation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines that will tackle the issue of methane slip and will also be equipped with industry first environmental technologies and solutions, including a containment system for liquid hydrogen that will enable them to use this promising low-carbon fuel. Hydrogen fuel will power a six-megawatt fuel cell to produce emissions-free power for the hotel operation and allow the vessels to run on ‘zero emissions’ in port, with the engines turned off.

The two newbuilds will come into service in 2027 and 2028, respectively.

Explora Journeys also said that the previously announced vessels EXPLORA III and IV will now be powered by LNG. The two ships will be enlarged by 19 metres to enable the installation of a new generation system based on LNG and hydrogen. This has provided an opportunity to enhance the mix of suites with an increased number of spacious and luxurious Ocean Residences and larger public spaces, which offer a true sense of being at home at sea.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, said, “Explora Journeys is building ships for tomorrow, utilising today’s latest technologies and being ready to adapt to alternative energy solutions as they become available. The announcement today marks another significant step forward in our goal as a business to reach net zero emissions by 2050 across all our cruise operation for the two brands and a further proof of our commitment to invest in the most advanced marine environmental technologies available to develop sustainable solutions for the future. This transition to zero emissions operations for the maritime industry is the biggest challenge that we will ever face, and this will only be achieved by everyone playing their part – by investing in research and development and through significant investment both by companies but also governments.”

LNG is currently the cleanest marine fuel currently available at scale and it virtually eliminates local air pollutant emissions like sulphur oxides (99 per cent), nitrogen oxides (85 per cent) and particles (98 per cent). In terms of emissions with a global impact, LNG plays a significant role in climate change mitigation with the engines having the potential to reduce CO 2 emissions by up to 25 per cent compared to standard marine fuels. In addition, with the increasing availability of bio and synthetic forms of LNG in the future, this energy source will provide a pathway toward eventual decarbonised operations.

The two additional ships covered under today’s MOA will bring Explora Journeys’ investment in its fleet to €3.5 billion. This includes an additional €120 million each for fitting EXPLORA III and IV with LNG engines, a change that required a temporary halt of work due to the significant redesign of the ships, which will now be delivered in 2026 and 2027.

Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive Officer, Explora Journeys , added , “These bold moves to amend our construction plans, make significant additional investment in current orders and confirm orders for two more vessels with new technology despite the economic environment are something only a family company can do. This also demonstrates unequivocally our absolute commitment to operate ships that will appeal and attract the next and future generations of luxury travellers. Sustainability is the new craftmanship and we’re honoured to take a pioneering position within the industry and the wider travel sector ”.

Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri , commented: “ This is the very first major agreement for new construction after the pandemic emergency and testifies not only to the further growth of our long-standing partnership with MSC, which we thank, but also the confidence of both groups in the future of the cruise industry. These ships will allow us to implement cutting-edge technologies aimed at significantly improving environmental performance, laying the foundations for further developments ”.

Folgiero concluded: “ We are convinced that sustainability is a key factor to ensure our growth in the medium and long term. We will continue to act with determination to be forerunners in a sector that has always seen us hold leadership positions”.

All six ships in Explora Journeys’ fleet will be equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies and will also feature the latest selective catalytic reduction technology to enable a reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 per cent, be equipped with shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce emissions in port and fitted with underwater noise management systems to help protect marine life.  All six vessels will also have a comprehensive range of onboard energy efficient equipment to optimise engine use to further reduce emissions.”

The signing of the contract relating to the MoA will be subject to access to financing, as per industry practice.

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MSC Explora 1

Former name: exploria i.

Cruise line MSC Explora Journeys

• Piraeus-Athens (Greece)
• Miami (Florida)
• Istanbul (Turkey, Galataport)
• Venice (Marghera, Italy)
• Bridgetown (Barbados)

MSC Explora 1 current position

MSC Explora 1 current location is at Adriatic Sea (coordinates 40.59096 N / 18.94312 E) cruising at speed of 18.7 kn (35 km/h | 22 mph) en route to Dubrovnik. The AIS position was reported 5 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of MSC Explora 1

MSC Explora 1 current cruise is 30 days, one-way from Barcelona to Piraeus-Athens . The itinerary starts on 19 Jun, 2024 and ends on 19 Jul, 2024 .

Specifications of MSC Explora 1

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

MSC Explora 1 Itineraries

Msc explora 1 review, review of msc explora 1.

The 2023-built MSC Explora 1 cruise ship ("Explora I", currently under construction ) is the first in a series of six MSC EXPLORA-class expedition ships, with fleetmates Explora 2 (2024/sistership), Explora 3 (2026), Explora 4 (2027), Explora 5 (2027), and Explora 6 (2028). These boats are owned by MSC Group and operated as a separate fleet under the company's new luxury brand MSC EXPLORA JOURNEYS .

The vessel (IMO number 9869875) is currently Malta- flagged (MMSI 256389000) and registered in Valletta . The delivery was delayed three times in 2023 - first from March to May and twice in July.

History - construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples . Established in 1960, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) - the world's 2nd largest containership company . MSC is also the world's largest privately-owned cruise company.

By annual passenger shipping volumes, MSC is ranked the world's 3rd largest cruise shipowner - following only Carnival Corporation and RCG-Royal Caribbean .

MSC's EXPLORA ships offer plenty of interior public spaces, 2500+ m2 (~27000 ft2) of exterior deck spaces, spacious Sundeck (with 64 private cabanas), 3x outdoor swimming pools (two aft, one forward), one midship swimming pool covered by a retractable glass roof (indoor pool with a 2-deck sunbathing area and a large LED screen for movies, Ultra-HD images and videos, real-time sea views), several Jacuzzies (indoor and outdoor spa pools/whirlpools, including 1x crew pool) and sundecks with poolside dining and lounging, 9x different dining options (restaurants and food bars) plus in-cabin dining (via 24-hour room service).

Explora I's ultra-modern wellness complex is sized 700+ m2 (7500+ ft2) and has an indoor-outdoor Spa (9x Treatment Rooms for massages, Thermal Suites, Beauty Salon) and Gym (sized 270+ m2 / 2900+ ft2, fitted with the latest fitness equipment) and with a separate Fitness Studio (for group classes and personal training sessions). A Running Track encircles the Sundeck's sunbathing area (Deck 12).

The passenger-to-crew ratio of 1,25 guarantees attentive services by a dedicated staff.

Of the total public space (~16600 m2 / 179000 ft2 of passenger-accessible areas), the outdoor space is ~6250 m2 (67300 ft2) which means ~6,5 m2 (70 ft2) per passenger.

For more information on MSC's EXPLORA-class vessels see the ship's Wiki section .

Decks and cabins

All MSC Explora I staterooms (461 total) are all outside/balconied and in Suite categories. Each cabin is fitted with floor-ceiling windows that open to a step-out terrace. Standard cabins are sized 35-39 m2 / 375-420 ft2 (OCEAN TERRACE SUITE), with 28 m2 (300 ft2) indoor space and 7-11 m2 (75-120 ft2) balcony. The largest accommodation is the OWNER'S RESIDENCE (280 m2 / 3015 ft2), with indoor space 155 m2 (1670 ft2) and aft-facing wraparound balcony sized 125 m2 (1345 ft2).

Cabin types include Owner's Residence (1), Ocean Residences (22), Ocean Penthouses (67), and Ocean Suites (371). The ship has a total of 82 interconnecting cabins (Family Suites) designed for families and small-group travelers.

"MSC Yacht Club" 24-hour butler services are provided complimentary to all Ocean Residences and Ocean Penthouses. Butler services packing and unpacking, pressing and laundering assistance, room service, itinerary and land transportation planning, special event planning, reservations assistance (onboard and ashore).

The boat has 13 decks , of which 11 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

MSC Explora Journeys deals are inclusive of accommodation, shipboard food (dining at 9 venues plus room service), unlimited beverages (including fine wines, premium liquors, brand coffees and teas, soft drinks), complimentary cabin mini-bar drinks and snacks, access to the wellness facilities (Spa, Fitness, training programs), tips/onboard gratuities, free unlimited Wi-Fi (throughout), Welcome Aboard Gifts (flowers, mini chocolates, bottle of champagne), premium shuttle bus services (port to downtown), 24-hour concierge services, twice-daily housekeeping services (including evening turndown service), shoeshine service.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

All public facilities (restaurants, lounges, bars) are with floor-ceiling windows and unobstructed views. All sundecks are wind-protected (via a wraparound glass wall), furnished with premium patio furniture (3-seater sofas, padded loungers, double daybeds, deckchairs) and decorated with large living plants.

The onboard dining experience is all-inclusive and marked by flexible dining times and gourmet dishes prepared with sustainably and locally sourced ingredients.

The ship has a total of 18x food and beverage venues including 10x dining (6x restaurants, Chef`s Kitchen) and 12x bars and lounges (8x indoor + 4x outdoor). Wine selections are according to the current itinerary program/regions sailed, with a certified sommelier service for the boutique wine labels and wine pairing.

Next are listed the ship's restaurants.

• Anthology (midship on Deck 4/international cuisine). Anthology Restaurant is the venue where celebrity chefs (who attend select voyages as guests) create special menus in collaboration with Franck Garanger (Explora Journeys’ Head Chef).
• Sakura (aft-portside on Deck 5/Pan-Asian cuisine - Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian; Sake sommelier service; Asian beverages; modern Asian music)
• Marble & Co. Grill (midship on Deck 5/steakhouse with a wine cellar; personally sourced and sustainably farmed beef)
• Med Yacht Club (midship-portside on Deck 4/varied Mediterranean cuisine specialties from France, Spain, Italy, Greece; premium wines from regional vineyards; cocktails made with regional ingredients; fresh-squeezed juices)
• Emporium Marketplace (aft on Deck 11/all-day opened buffet restaurant with food themed on the visited destinations; has 18x cooking stations - sushi, seafood, daily rotisserie, homemade sandwiches, cooked-to-order pasta, fresh-baked pizzas & breads, charcuterie/cured meats station, fromagerie/cheese station, boulangerie/bakery; beverages station/soft drinks, brand teas & coffees, fresh juices, wines & champagne)
• Fil Rouge (concept restaurant midship-portside on Deck 5/traditional French cuisine and French-inspired international dishes; with a dessert cart/tableside service; wine selection)
• Chef's Kitchen & Private Dining Room (forward-starboard on Deck 11/capacity 12 seats; at a fee per person)

In-cabin dining is available 24 hours.

Next are listed the ship's lounges and bars.

• Lobby Bar (midship on Deck 4)
• Malt Whiskey Bar (forward-portside on Deck 11/has a smoking-allowed terrace, walk-in humidor/cigar expert, an extensive collection that includes even rarest whiskies)
• Journeys Lounge (forward on Deck 4/serves the company's onboard enrichment and entertainment program)
• Explora Lounge (forward on Deck 11/with 270-degree seaviews; Afternoon Tea service, also serves light meals and snacks)
• Gelateria & Creperie (midship-starboard on Deck 11 - within The Conservatory/gourmet ice creams and crepes, brand coffees)
• Crema Cafe (midship-starboard on Deck5/serves premium coffees prepared by certified baristas, fresh-pressed juices, gourmet pastries, cakes, desserts)
• Astern Lounge (aft on Deck 5/live music entertainment daily, doubles as nightclub with a DJ programming)
• Astern Pool & Bar (aft on Deck 5/poolside bar lounge with nightly live music/acoustic musicians and DJs)
• Sky Bar on 14 (aft on Deck 14/outdoor lounge)
• Atoll Pool & Bar (aft on Deck 10)
• Helios Pool & Bar (forward on Deck 12/adults-only poolside outdoor lounge)

On Deck 11 (adjacent to the Chef's Kitchen) is the Children's Area (indoor playground) a spacious room designed for kids' entertainment and supervised activities.

The Conservatory Pool & Bar (glass roof-protected poolside lounge midship on Deck 11; in the evenings transforms into Cinema for movies under the stars).

Deck 3 houses an Aft Marina Deck (for launching watersports activities) with an adjacent Marina Lounge & Bar and two fore-located Tender Areas (portside and starboard) for ferrying passengers (transportation via tender boats) between the ship and the shore. Forward-starboard is the Infirmary/Medical Centre.

Deck 4 houses the Forward Lounge (with a large stage and amphitheatrical seating), the Casino (gaming lounge fitted with table games and slot machines), the Lobby Hall (24-hour Guest Services/Reception Desk for assistance, Destination Experiences for information on and organizing of land tours and excursions), Boutiques (duty-free shops), as well as two restaurants - Mediterranean-style (portside) and International-style (starboard), with an adjacent Galley (kitchen and storage rooms for food and beverages).

The onboard shops include the first at-sea Rolex Boutique, via an exclusive partnership (signed in June 2023) between Explora Journeys and Rolex SA (1905-founded, Geneva-based watch designer and manufacturer). The shop is dedicated to the ultra-luxury Swiss watch brand and offers for purchasing an extensive selection of models including from the renowned Rolex Oyster Perpetual series.

Another signature retail store is the "Watch and Jewelry Shop" (introduced in July 2023) selling the Swiss ultra-premium watch brands Cartier, Panerai, and Piaget.

Deck 5 houses an indoor-outdoor Spa (9x Treatment Rooms for massages, Thermal Suites, Beauty Salon), Concept Restaurant, Coffee Lounge (patisserie), Steakhouse, Art Gallery (displaying original artworks and also hosting art auctions), MSC Foundation (a venue dedicated to the established by the Aponte family independent not-for-profit organization that manages MSC Group's conservation and humanitarian activities). Aft are the Pan-Asian Restaurant, Aft Lounge & Bar, and the Lower Aft Plunge Pool & Lounge (outdoor swimming pool with a sundeck area).

The forward section of Deck 6 is a crew-only zone with staff and crew cabins, Messhall (crew dining room and bar lounge) and the crew sundeck (bow-facing sunbathing area with a large Jacuzzi/spa pool).

Besides passenger staterooms, Deck 11 (Lido Deck) houses also the Fitness complex consisting of a Gym Room (fitted with the latest training equipment) and a separate Fitness Studio (for group classes and personal training sessions). Midship on Lido Deck is the main swimming pool (indoor pool covered with a retractable glass roof) and its sunbathing area. The pool deck is served by the poolside bar Gelateria & Creperie (snacks and beverages) and the All-Day Dining Restaurant (indoor Lido buffet with an aft terrace/outdoor seating). At the stern is the Upper Aft Pool & Lounge (sundeck with open-air bar, 4-seat tables, a swimming pool and sunbathing area with daybeds and padded loungers).

On Deck 12 are the Forward Pool & Lounge (adults-only sundeck with a large swimming pool and sunbathing area) and the 2-lane Running Track (making a full circle/looping nearly the entire deck with lined up sun loungers for relaxation).

Aft on Deck 14 is the Panorama Lounge & Bar (an outdoor venue with a Whirlpool/Jacuzzi and sunbathing areas with loungers) and the Sports Court (outdoor facility for playing basketball, volleyball, football, tennis). Midship are the Funnels (smokestacks) adjacent to the Retractable Glass-Roof that covers the main swimming pool (on Deck 11 below).

Journey Together Gatherings (shipboard family program)

In May 2023 Explora Journeys introduced the shipboard program "Journey Together Gatherings".

The program targets multi-generational families and features a dedicated children's lounge (Nautilus Club/ for both kids and teenagers), various destination-themed family experiences, complimentary land-to-ship transfers.

The Nautilus Club hosts age-appropriate supervised activities (for children aged 6-17) including interactive gaming (on PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2, Nintendo Switch, Xbox), sports contests, fun workshops and games. Nautilus Club has its own heated swimming pools and a Sports Court.

Each Explora ship has a total of 82 interconnecting staterooms (designed for families with children) in three categories - Ocean Suite, Ocean Penthouse, and Ocean Residence. In each of the family cabins, one minor passenger (under-18) cruises for free.

All infants and toddlers (6-23-month-old kids) sail free while 2-17 years-old kids sail at 50% off.

Itineraries

Explora I's itinerary program is based on 7-night voyages in Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic, Iceland) featuring less-traveled ports with longer stays (unconventional in-port times of arrival/departure) and many overnights to allow the MSC tourists access to unique ashore experiences.

The inaugural season's signature destinations include Bordeaux France , Saint Tropez (French Riviera), Reykjavik Iceland , Lofoten Islands (Norway) , Eastern Mediterranean's Kastellorizo island (Greece) and Bozcaada Island (Turkey) .

Explora 1's "Inaugural Journeys Collection" (itinerary program 2023) was announced in late-February 2022. The boat's deployment is in Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic, UK, Iceland, Greenland), North America (Canada, East Coast USA, Hawaii), Caribbean, South America.

Itineraries vary between 6-night and 44-night (Grand Voyage), visiting 132 ports/islands in 40 countries.

• MEDITERRANEAN (May-June 2023), call ports Barcelona, St Tropez, Calvi-Corsica, Chivitavechia-Rome, Fiskardo (Kefalonia Island), Istanbul, Piraeus-Athens, Patmos Island, Bodrum, Kastellorizo, Santorini Island, Mykonos Island, Gozo-Malta, Ibiza, Malaga, Cadiz-Sevilla, Portimao, Lisbon, Oporto, St Jean-de-Luz, Bordeaux, Saint-Malo, Honfleur
• NORTHERN EUROPE/BALTIC (July-August 2023), call ports Southampton, Lofoten Islands and Norwegian Fjords (Kristiansand, Hellesylt, Alesund, Molde, Trondheim, Narvik, Honningsvag, Tromso, Leknes-Gravdal, Bronnoysund, Flam, Bergen, Stavanger), Skagen, Copenhagen, Ronne, Helsinki, Sankt-Petersburg, Stockholm, Visby, Riga, Klaipeda, Gdansk, Copenhagen, Goteborg, Oslo, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge-Bruges
• UK-ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND (August 2023), call ports Southampton, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Invergordon, Stornoway, Oban, Liverpool, Glasgow, Fort William, Portree, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Faroes (Thorshavn), Iceland (Reykjavik)
• Transatlantic/ICELAND AND GREENLAND (September 2023), call ports Reykjavik, Akureyri, Isafjordur, Paamiut, Nuuk, Qaqortoq, Canada (Sydney NS, St John NB), USA (NYC New York)
• USA AND CANADA (September-October 2023), roundtrip from New York City to, Newport RI, Boston MA, St John NB, Quebec City, La Baie, Baie-Comeau, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Halifax NS
• CARIBBEAN (November 2023), call ports Miami, Key West FL, Virgon Gorda BVI, Deshaies (Guadeloupe), Falmouth (Jamaica), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Gustavia (St Barths), Basseterre (St Kitts), Samana (Dominicana), Ocean Cay (Bahamas), St John`s (Antigua), Castries (St Lucia), Bridgetown (Barbados), Roseau, Kralendijk, Willemstad, Saint-Pierre, Kingstown, Grand Turk Island, Santa Marta, Cartagena, Colon, Soufriere, Bequia (St Vincent), Oranjestad, Cartagena, Puerto Limon, Panama Canal transit to Panama City
• SOUTH AMERICA, USA WEST COAST, HAWAII, ALASKA (January-April 2024)

In June 2022, MSC announced Explora Journeys' Alaska 2024 program (May 6 thru August 28) of Explora I, consisting of 3x voyages departing roundtrip from Vancouver, BC Canada .

• 11-night "The Remote Wrangell and Spectacular Sitka Inaugural Alaskan Journey" (departure May 6th) sails in Alaska (Inside Passage, Wrangell, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan, Misty Fjord) and Canada (Victoria BC).
• 11-night "Sailing the Whale's Highway" itinerary (departure May 17th) visits Ketchikan, Hoonah-Icy Strait Point, Valdez, Juneau, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier.
• 10-night "Journey of the Glaciers" itinerary (departures May thru July 2024) sails the Alaskan Inside Passage.

Explora I's 2024-2025 winter program (September thru April) was opened for booking in late-February 2023 and included 23 voyages visiting a total of 73 ports/destinations (including Brazillian Amazon) in 24 countries. The program features two longer itineraries.

• The 28-night "A Grand Journey to Amazonia & Tropical Isles Cruise" (departure November 15, 2024, roundtrip from Miami) visits Key West Florida, Spanish Town/Virgin Gorda BVI), Basseterre St Kitts, Saint-Pierre Martinique, Bridgetown Barbados, Iles du Salut Macapa, Brail Amazon (Alter Do Chao, Manaus), Admiralty Bay Bequia, Barbados, Kingstown St Vincent and the Grenadines, Castries St Lucia, Basseterre, MSC Ocean Cay Bahamas.
• (Caribbean-Europe relocation) The 32-night "Grand Transatlantic Odyssey Cruise" (departure March 27, 2025, from Miami to Lisbon) visits San Juan Puerto Rico, Spanish Town/Virgin Gorda BVI, St John's Antigua, St-Pierre Martinique, Barbados, Cape Verde (Praia, Sao Vicente), Canary Islands (Arrecife Lanzarote, Santa Cruz de Tenerife), Santo Antonio/Madeira, Ponta Delgada/Azores, Leixoes-Oporto, Lisbon.

Maiden Voyage (2023)

MSC opened bookings for Explora Journeys (Explora 1's inaugural cruise season/2023) in January 2022.

In October 2022, the brand's inauguration/ship's Maiden Voyage was rescheduled from May 31st (11-night "Maiden Journey into Mare Nostrum" from Barcelona to Piraeus-Athens) to July 17th, 2023 (out of Southampton England UK ).

Citing delayed delivery (due to supply chain issues affecting the Fincantieri shipyard), MSC canceled 12x voyages (including 10x Mediterranean). In July 2023, the ship's delivery was delayed ( CruiseMinus ) and the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for August 1st.

The brand "Explora Journeys" debuts with the 14-night "Extended Journey of Scottish Isles, Danish Cities, and Icelandic Fjords" itinerary (roundtrip from Copenhagen, Denmark ) leaving on August 1st (2023).

EXPLORA I's canceled inaugural sailing (Southampton to Copenhagen/Jul 17 thru Aug 1) can be seen in the ship's Wiki section . The 15-night "A Maiden Journey into Epic Fjords and the Arctic Circle" itinerary included visits to 12x Northern European ports in 4 countries.

Photos of MSC Explora 1

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Other MSC Explora Journeys cruise ships

• MSC Explora 2
• MSC Explora 3
• MSC Explora 4
• MSC Explora 5
• MSC Explora 6

MSC Explora 1 Wiki

The vessel (Fincantieri Monfalcone yard/hull number 6319) has volume 63900 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 7500 tons, max draught 7 m. The powerplant is based on 4x Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 8L46F) with combined output 38,4 MW (51500 hp). The propulsion is PEM fuel-cell-battery hybrid (based on 2x motors) with combined output 20 MW (26820 hp). The registered shipowner is MSC CROCIERE SPA, while the registered manager is MSC MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING CO.

In January 2018 strong rumors started to circulate about MSC considering the establishment of a new (all-inclusive luxury) cruise brand. There was also the possibility (instead of creating a new brand) MSC to just create a parallel "expedition" fleet, but in 2020 was confirmed that this would be a new brand.

On October 18, 2018, MSC Group and Fincantieri signed the MoA (memorandum of agreement) for building 4x ultra-luxury ships, with contract value EUR 2,0 billion (~USD 2,3B / ~GBP 1,75B). The announcement mentioned that the first unit will be delivered in 2023-Q2, and that the design is based on GT tonnage/volume ~64,000 tons and capacity 500 staterooms.

• The MSC-Fincantieri final shipbuilding contract for the four luxury expedition ships was signed on March 14, 2019.
• Both deals were signed by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC's Executive Chairman) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).
• With this order, MSC's Fincantieri-built ships reached 17 units (total investment EUR 14,96 billion / ~USD 17,27B / ~GBP 13,6B), all to be completed/delivered by the year 2027. By 2027, the MSC's cruise fleet will consist of 29 vessels.

The collective investment for the 4 units (~EUR 2.3 billion) had the potential to generate a substantial economic impact of EUR 10+ billion on the Italian economy, including employment, as each unit's construction requires 7+ million manhours of work and an average workforce of 2500 individuals for a span of 2+ years.

The rumors were officially confirmed in March 2021 when was announced the new brand's senior management team.

• Michael Ungerer (CEO), Chris Austin (CSO-Chief Sales Officer)
• Sarah Doyle (CMO-Chief Marketing Officer)
• Thatcher Brown (Commercial and Strategic Advisor), John Stoll (Destination Experience Advisor)
• Sacha Rougier (Itinerary Planning, Shore Experience)
• Previous to their MSC employments, Chris Austin worked for Seabourn (SVP Global Sales and Marketing), Sarah Doyle for Bacardi Europe (Vice President Marketing), Thatcher Brown for GHK Dream Cruises (President) and Crystal Cruises Asia (Managing Director), Sacha Rougier for Cruise Gate Hamburg /Center Steinwerder (Managing Director), John Stoll for Crystal Cruises and Silversea (as Director Land Programs).

MSC Explora I vessel's construction (yard/hull number 6319) officially started on June 10, 2021, with the steel-cutting ceremony held at the Naval Service Center in San Giorgio di Nogaro (Udine). The special event was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC's Executive Chairman), Michael Ungerer (Explora Journeys' CEO) and Fabio Gallia (Fincantieri's General Manager).

Explora I's keel-laying (aka coin) ceremony at Fincantieri Monfalcone was held on February 24, 2022. During the special event, two newly minted coins were placed under the hull's first keel block. The ceremony was attended by two godmothers/madrinas - Alessandra Fontana (Explora Journeys' Chief Marketing Officer) and Ester Fugazzi (Fincantieri's Head of General Services), as well as by Pierfrancesco Vago and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

Explora I's launch/float out from drydock was on May 30, 2022. The special event was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago, Claudio Graziano (Fincantieri's Chairman) and Pierroberto Folgiero (Fincantieri's CEO).

On June 7, 2022, MSC announced the name of Explora 1's Master - Serena Melani (Captain since 2016). On October 12th, MSC announced that the boat's alternating Captain is Diego Michelozzi (former Italian Navy officer).

In April 2023, Michael Ungerer announced that the ship's godmother would be Sylvia Alice Earle (1935-born American marine biologist, oceanographer, author, lecturer, and also the founder of Mission Blue/global network of protected marine areas).

Explora I's christening ceremony was initially scheduled for July 8, 2023, to be held at Port Civitavecchia-Rome . Following the naming, the vessel had to relocate to Southampton to start the 15-night Maiden Voyage (on July 17th) ending in Copenhagen . However, the ship's completion/commissioning was delayed several times due to issues with suppliers and subcontractors. Explora I's delivery date was last pushed back from July 6th to July 24th (2023). The vessel was officially delivered from Fincantieri Monfalcone to MSC on July 20th. The ceremony was attended by Gianluigi Aponte (MSC Group's Founder and Chairman), Pierfrancesco Vago, Zoe Africa Vago (ship's godmother), Michael Ungerer (Explora Journeys), Pierroberto Folgiero (Fincantieri).

On September 25, 2023, Explora 1 arrived in Port NYC (New York USA) for an overnight stay (Sep 25-26) at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The call was also Explora Journeys' debut in North America.

However, the naming ceremony was postponed and held on October 12th (2023) at NYC's Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The special event was led by Sylvia Earle and was attended by international media representatives as well as by VIP guests including senior officers from MSC Group (Pierfrancesco Vago) and Explora Journeys (Michael Ungerer) as well as the new company's principal travel partners.

Inaugural cruise 2023

The next table shows Explora I's MAIDEN VOYAGE itinerary (2023).

(CANCELED) 25-night/26-day "Inaugural Grand Journey into History Cruise" - priced from EUR 15770 / USD 16555 / GBP 13540 (per person with double occupancy).

However, due to construction delays, this voyage was canceled in October 2022 and the Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled for July 17th.

(CANCELED/2023) 15-night/16-day "A Maiden Journey into Epic Fjords and the Arctic Circle Cruise"

The sailing was priced from EUR 8780 / USD 9250 / GBP 7520 pp.

( MAIDEN VOYAGE /2023) 13-night/14-day "Extended Journey of Scottish Isles, Danish Cities, and Icelandic Fjords"

(inaugural Transatlantic crossing/2023) 23-day UK to USA

(inaugural Caribbean cruise/2023) 14-day "Extended Escapes into a Yachtsman's Caribbean" itinerary

MSC EXPLORA ship technology

All boats for the MSC brand Explora Journeys are constructed at Fincantieri's Monfalcone Shipyard (near Trieste Italy ).

WIth Explora I's steel-cutting (June 10, 2021) was also officially launched MSC's expedition travel brand "Explora Journeys". The brand's mandala-inspired logo was designed by Alexa Aponte-Vago (MSC Group's CFO, MSC founder Gianluigi Aponte's daughter and Pierfrancesco Vago's wife).

Explora Journeys' boats are fitted with the maritime industry's latest technologies for protecting the environment and also prepared to adopt alternative energy sources (hybrid powerplant) when they become widely available in the near future.

MSC EXPLORA-class ship design incorporates provisions for battery storage (allowing energy generation by a hybrid powerplant) as well as the latest SCR Systems (Selective Catalytic Reduction/aka wet scrubbers) technology for reducing nitrogen oxide/NOx emissions by 90%. Other environmental-supporting and energy-saving technologies implemented in all EXPLORA boats include optimized hull (covered with anti-fouling paint) and hydrodynamics, smart HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system, USCD-approved ballastwater treatment plant, advanced wastewater treatment system, LED lighting (throughout), CII Trim Optimization software (optimizing the trim and draft to reduce main engines fuel consumption up to 3%).

The ships are fitted with shoreside power capabilities (for eliminating CO emissions while port-berthed) and advanced underwater noise management systems (for protecting marine life). All MSC EXPLORA ships also have a comprehensive range of onboard energy-efficient/power-saving equipment to optimize engine use and further reduce emissions.

Explora 1 and 2 are fitted with marine diesel engines running on LSFO (low sulfur fuel oil), Explora 3 and 4 are with LNG engines while Explora 5 and 6 are with LNG engines and hydrogen powerplants (fuel cell technology). All boats are RINA-certified (by RINA DOLPHIN) for reducing underwater noise and vibrations. By MSC's sustainable policies, single-use plastics are not used both on the ships and ashore.

In late-September 2020, Versonix Seaware announced that MSC's new brand will use the Versonix system for online cruise booking. Annually, Versonix serves 20+ million passengers and 100+ ships. Versonix (1986-founded) is a Silicon Valley company (headquartered in San Jose CA USA) specializing in hotel and resort reservation technologies. The company is run by Victor Velton (President) and Yuri Polissky (CEO).

In July 2022, MSC signed a contract with SES SA (Luxembourg-based owner and operator of satellites and terrestrial telecommunications networks) to provide "O3b mPower" (satellite connectivity) to Explora Journeys' fleet. SES' O3b mPower combines the company's second-generation MEO satellites (medium Earth orbit/ positioned ~8000 km / ~5000 mi above the earth) and GEO satellites (geosynchronous equatorial orbit/positioned at altitude~35800 km / 22300 mi).

On July 6, 2022, was signed the MoA for building two more MSC EXPLORA ships (Explora 5 and Explora 6), which are both LNG and hydrogen-powered - with engines running on LNG/liquefied natural gas and also fitted with a containment system for liquid hydrogen. The hydrogen powers a 6-MW/megawatt fuel cell to produce all the electricity needed for the onboard hotel operations. With Explora 5 (2027) and Explora 6 (2028), MSC's Explora Journeys investment totaled EUR 3,5 billion.

MSC EXPLORA-class vessels' initial cost was EUR 495 million (USD 600M) per unit. However, unlike the first pair of sisterships (Explora 1 and Explora 2 ), the second pair of sisterships ( Explora 3 and Explora 4 ) have a higher building cost (EUR 615 million (USD 730 million, or +EUR 120M each) because of the LNG engines and the related design changes. This also delayed Explora Journeys' boats 3 and 4 deliveries that were rescheduled for 2026 (from 2025) and 2027 (from 2026), respectively.

• svg]:stroke-accent-900">

Enormous MSC Cruise Ship Crashes Into Crowded Venice Port, Injuring at Least Five

By Caleb Jacobs

Posted on Jun 3, 2019 11:35 AM EDT

A commercial cruise ship suffered a catastrophic engine failure off the coast of Venice, Italy on Sunday, leaving it uncontrollable as it headed toward a nearby dock. With no effective way of steering the vessel, it resultantly crashed into the harbor—a hotspot for tourists—injuring five people, according to the Associated Press.

The news has made headlines worldwide with videos of the incident also being posted online, showing the situation from a firsthand perspective:

Operated by MSC, the Opera cruise ship was built to hold more than 2,675 passengers and, in this instance, it was carrying travelers back to Venice after visiting Kotor, Montenegro as well as the Greek cities of Mykonos, Santorini, and Corfu. Two nearby tugboats worked to guide the ship away from the dock after the captain immediately reported the engine failure but failed.

As can be heard in the videos, those aboard the ship and on shore were left wondering aloud what might come of the shipwreck. 

While there are obvious and immediate effects that come with a crash of this magnitude, Italian activists are using the episode to make a political point. Recently, there’s been a swing of protest regarding Venice’s acceptance of cruise ships that, due to their size , block narrow waterways and obstruct tourist views. This was not lost on Twitter after Sunday’s happenings as Italy’s environment minister Sergio Costa posted:

“What happened in the port of Venice is confirmation of what we have been saying for some time. Cruise ships must not sail down the Giudecca. We have been working on moving them for months now … and are nearing a solution.”

Quello che è successo nel porto di #Venezia è la conferma di quello che diciamo da tempo: le #GrandiNavi non devono passare dalla Giudecca. Per questo da mesi insieme ai ministri @DaniloToninelli e @BonisoliAlberto stiamo lavorando per spostarle e siamo vicini alla soluzione — Sergio Costa (@SergioCosta_Gen) June 2, 2019

A politician with the Italian Left party, Nicola Fratoianni, even went as far as to call cruise ships “steel monsters” which “risk carnage” in the seaside town.

Curioso quel Paese che blocca navi che salvano vite e permette a grandi navi di attraversare #Venezia … Situazione intollerabile. Interrogazione in Parlamento, e subito blocco passaggio navi da crociera dal canale della Giudecca #NoGrandiNaviVenezia https://t.co/eff5oAC3hj — nicola fratoianni (@NFratoianni) June 2, 2019

An MSC spokesperson explained to NPR   that the cruise ship is now being moored at the Marittima terminal and has begun passenger operations.

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How it all went wrong for cruise ship MSC Opera before collision

It was the catastrophe no one saw coming. A loss of control at the worst time possible. But the incident in Venice happens more than you think.

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It’s the collision no one saw coming. A loss of control at the worst time possible.

As the 66,000-tonne ship ploughed through waters towards Venice, MSC Opera failed to slow down as it hurtled towards the passenger terminal on the Giudecca canal.

Terrified tourists watched on — with some fleeing on foot in horror — as the 275m cruise ship collided with the busy embankment and a small tourist boat.

It was a collision that injured four passengers — including two Australians — but could have been so much worse.

While an investigation into what happened on-board the 13-deck ship is underway, initial speculation suggests the collision may have happened after a cable used to link cruise ships to the tug boats that pull them into the city’s canals broke.

However, Davide Calderan, the head of a tugboat company involved in accompanying the ship into its berth, told Italian media the problem was in the engine.

“The MSC ship had an engine failure, which was immediately reported by the captain,” Mr Calderan said, noting the pilot was able to steer the ship to the right-hand side and stop further damage.

“The engine was blocked but with its thrust on because the speed was increasing.

“The two tug boats that had been guiding the ship into the dock tried to slow it, but one of the chains linking them to the giant snapped under the pressure.”

One Venetian resident told Italian media: “I could see the prow coming closer, and I thought it would hit my house. The noise was deafening,”

Miami-based maritime lawyer and cruise safety advocate Jim Walker says the “engine failure” isn’t uncommon, and the accident has rekindled a heated row in Italy over the risks large cruise ships pose in the canal.

#BREAKING : Tourists flee as cruise liner smashes into dock in Venice pic.twitter.com/DSIjHckYxk — Russian Market (@russian_market) June 2, 2019

“Power failure or power loss of large cruise ships are not uncommon,” Mr Walker told news.com.au.

“Most occur when the ships have left ports … the cruise lines usually state that the propulsion failures occurred for ‘technical reasons’.

“In most cases, the power loss does not occur at critical moments. But in this case, the ship apparently lost power at a critical time as the MSC Opera was approaching port.”

Wow, this just happened outside our apartment!! pic.twitter.com/OfSOdCU2Br — Duncan Ogle-Skan (@duncanogleskan) June 2, 2019

Mr Walker said Venice required all ships to be handled by two tugs when entering the port, with one at the bow and one at the stern

But the line at the front of the ship that reportedly failed “may have contributed to the accident”.

“An accident like this can occur due to power loss, secondary failure of bow and/or stern lines going to the accompanying tugs, poor seamanship and weather condition depending on the circumstances,” Mr Walker said.

“Cruise lines typically will not disclose the precise nature of the power failure, choosing instead to simply state that there was a disruption of power due to ‘technical reasons’.

Video by Adrian Lauretti https://t.co/fQVQGWz1h8 pic.twitter.com/CQifKsB3lp — andreafrison.com (@fritzprod) June 2, 2019

“The power loss involving the MSC Opera occurred during a critical moment. This is not the first time that any MSC cruise ship struck a pier in Venice. The MSC Prezioss collided with a peer and damaged part of a maritime station five years ago.”

According to Mr Walker, in 2016 alone there were at least 18 power losses on board cruise ships, either complete or partial, operated by the major US-based lines.

The veteran maritime lawyer said when a loss of power occurred at such a “critical moment”, the captain or master lost all control.

“Crew ships typically have redundant power systems, however it is not possible for a secondary power source to immediately or instantaneously activate in time to avert an accident like this,” he explained, noting there was nothing the captain could’ve done to avoid the collision.

“The captain of the cruise ship remains responsible (practically and legally) even when a local pilot is aboard.

“The pilots may have greater familiarity with the ports, however the ships are always under the command in orders of the master.”

The most recent incident of power loss occurred in March when the Viking Sky cruise ship lost power as it sailed towards Stavanger, Norway in heavy seas.

The Viking Sky was carrying 1373 passengers and crew when it had engine trouble during a storm off the western coast of Norway. Afraid of dashing up on the rocks, the crew anchored amid heavy seas and high winds and an operation began to evacuate everyone on board.

More than 475 passengers were flown one by one off the ship as it bobbed at sea.

As weather eased, a decision was made to halt the rescues and head to Molde, which it reached 24 hours after alarm bells were initially raised.

The collision on Sunday has reignited the protest around ships docking in Venice. For many, the crash served as a wake-up call with opponents arguing cruise ships are out of scale for Venice, cause pollution, endanger the lagoon’s ecosystem and are a danger.

“Obviously, we’ve seen today that our worst fears have come true,” said Jane Da Mosto, an environmental scientist and executive director of We Are Here Venice. Her group backs efforts to ban cruise ships from Venice.

“There were 111 people on the river cruise boat that the big ship crashed into. They could have all died,” she said. She said the cruise ship could have ploughed through the concrete embankment and “hit houses, monuments and crowds of people”.

“The port authority, the government ministers, the other institutions have often tried to ridicule the resistance movement against the cruise ships, saying that an accident like this could never occur,” she added. “The Government shouldn’t be so weak in giving in to the pressure of the lobby groups, like the cruise ship companies.”

Mr Walker said cruise ships had become too large for the area.

“(The ships) present too much of a danger to a historian city like Venice,” he said, noting this could happen again if a change in route is not made.

“There have been a number of proposed resolutions to this problem, including barring ships over 100,000 gross tonnes from entering the port.

“There are also suggestions that ships should anchor and ferry the tourists into the city.”

The collision came four days after a river cruise ship collided with a sightseeing boat carrying South Korean tourists in Hungary’s capital, killing seven and leaving 21 others missing.

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• MSC Cruises

Seascape engine troubles 1/19/23

By Td6462 , January 20, 2023 in MSC Cruises

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We're on Seascape currently and departure from Cozumel was on time yeaterday. 

Overnight was choppy/rough as we had a 45 to 50 knot head wind. 

We awoke this morning to an announcement that we would be arriving in Grand Cayman 4.5 hours late today. The announcement said there was a software issue with the engine's and while not a safety issue slowed our speed.

I checked and we had a consistent speed of 14.5 knots. 

We arrived in GC at 2:30pm and our back on board time was 7pm. Tendering with ticket #4 we arrived on island at 3:49pm.

After dinner we inquired with some of the bar/house kepping/ maintenance staff at different venues and they all had the same info. The "software" issue apparently has resulted in the loss of 3 engines and we are currently sitting in the harbour in GC and it is currently 8:30 pm. 

The hub bub from staff is we are likely staying here for the night. They are flying someone in from Italy to assist. 

We are scheduled for Jamaica tomorrow....

The math doesn't currently workout at 14.5 knots to make it back to Miami on time for Sunday at 7 am.

Time will tell...

Announcement just coming across know. Jamaica canceled. Proceeding umder current power and arriving at Ocean cay Saturday afternoon. No more info. Compensation will be announced shortly. 

Secondary announcement says 50% compensation of cruise fare and excursion reimbursement. 

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MrProtractor

Wow, what an adventure. Hopefully they will have the issues fixed soon. I will be sailing on the Seascape on Jan 29. 

I’m supposed to on the 22nd.

8 minutes ago, SMLWA said: I’m supposed to on the 22nd.  

We might have to rent a canoe lol. Sounds like we might travel faster than the Seascape at this point lol. 

37 minutes ago, MrProtractor said: We might have to rent a canoe lol. Sounds like we might travel faster than the Seascape at this point lol. 

Trying not to stress. Figure we won’t hear anything until morning at the soonest. Truthfully, I would be fine just spending the week at ocean kay. I just want to get away and have some sun.

5 minutes ago, SMLWA said: Trying not to stress. Figure we won’t hear anything until morning at the soonest. Truthfully, I would be fine just spending the week at ocean kay. I just want to get away and have some sun.  

You have the right attitude SMLWA. Any vacation is better than no vacation!

I'm impressed they're offering 50% refunds. Usually missed ports are dealt with by travel insurance if you have it, no? 

I'm supposed to board on the 22nd as well, hopefully it can be fixed Sunday.

At least an honest, short, to the point letter.

Great job MSC for being honest.

5 hours ago, SMLWA said: I’m supposed to on the 22nd.  

We are b2b 1/15 & 1/22 so I am also curious as to what will happen. 

4 hours ago, SMLWA said: Trying not to stress. Figure we won’t hear anything until morning at the soonest. Truthfully, I would be fine just spending the week at ocean kay. I just want to get away and have some sun.  

We were already at ocean cay on Monday. I have to imagine we need to go there first to allow the terminal to load on Saturday in Miami before limping into port on Sunday. 

rest of the ship fully functional?  

Thanks for updating. We all know IT is not MSC’s strong point. Hopefully they can get this fixed so they won’t have to cancel future cruises. 🤞

Just booked my brother’s family for Feb on this ship. They’re first time MSC cruisers and I really had to sell them on trying it. 😏

9 minutes ago, bookher said: Is the  rest of the ship fully functional?  

Currently yes. I do notice a difference in the ac in the halls and common areas but cabins seem unaffected. 

quattrohead

Is this the first software error to ever stop a cruise ship ?

Good lord, what has the world come to.

In the olde days, I noticed a melted down cylinder head outside the engine room door of the Caribe1. That is a proper breakdown lol

1 hour ago, quattrohead said: Is this the first software error to ever stop a cruise ship ? Good lord, what has the world come to.   In the olde days, I noticed a melted down cylinder head outside the engine room door of the Caribe1. That is a proper breakdown lol

Exactly! The QEII in the 1970s had a breakdown on a Caribbean cruise and passengers had to be transferred to another ship. The Norway in 1980 had a complete power failure on a Caribbean cruise and the ship was dead in the water for a day or two - no lights, A/C, working toilets, etc. Those are another few examples of true breakdowns.

6 hours ago, Td6462 said: We are b2b 1/15 & 1/22 so I am also curious as to what will happen. 

Getting on 1/22. Hope it is a go.

Can you find out how many passengers are getting on Sunday? TYIA

49 minutes ago, travelwide said: Getting on 1/22. Hope it is a go. Can you find out how many passengers are getting on Sunday? TYIA

Guest services says 3700

I sail on the 29th and I'm nervous, can't even imagine those who sail this next Sunday, some of them are already in Miami! Hope everything gets resolved soon

31 minutes ago, Td6462 said: Guest services says 3700

Thanks, that would be nice.

This stinks for people leaving on Sunday. I hope they can get it resolved so they don’t have to cancel at the last minute.   

Stem to Stern

35 minutes ago, styles27 said: This stinks for people leaving on Sunday.

Which reminds me...Remember The Poop Cruise of 2013???

I would be worried too if I were on an upcoming sailing on this ship.

Hopefully their specialist gets to the bottom of the matter.

I am new to cruising. Would a ship still sail if it was having issues with an engine? Or would the cruise line just try to adjust to the new max speed?

3 minutes ago, MrProtractor said: I am new to cruising. Would a ship still sail if it was having issues with an engine? Or would the cruise line just try to adjust to the new max speed?

If it cannot be fixed before arriving back to Miami I doubt the next sailing would go ahead.

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The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world

M odern cruise ships continue to grow in size, with the biggest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas , launching at the start of this year, and her sister ship the Star of the Seas expected to surpass her in size.

Both of these ships are operated by Royal Caribbean International, which operates five of the ten largest cruise ships in the world. Carnival Corporation, arguably the biggest cruise company in the world, features three times on the list through its subsidiaries P&O Cruises and Costa Cruises.

All of the heaviest cruise ships in the world were built within the last 20 years, although the majority – six of the ten – were built within the last five years.

So, here are the top ten biggest cruise ships in the world, by gross tonnage. 

10. P&O Cruises MS Arvia : 185,581 gross tonnes

The MS Arvia is P&O Cruises’ fourth ship to be built by German shipyard Meyer Werft. Weighing in at 185,581 gross tonnes, the 345m (1,130-foot) Arvia is slightly larger than her sister ship, the MS Iona . The 20-deck ship is the largest ship commissioned for the British cruise market and has a maximum passenger capacity of 6,264 passengers, with 1,800 crew onboard. 

The ship is the second liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered Excellence-class vessel for P&O, following the Iona . Arvia is powered by a 61,760kW LNG drive system, with a propulsion power of 37 megawatts. The LNG-powered propulsion system allows the vessel to sail at a maximum speed of 21.5 knots.

After being floated out in August 2022, the Arvia mainly operates itineraries around the Caribbean or the Mediterranean.

9. Costa Cruises – Costa Smeralda : 185,010 gross tonnes

The Costa Smeralda is the first LNG-powered vessel in the Costa Cruises fleet. With a gross tonnage of 185,010gt, the 20-deck Excellence-class ship measures 337m (1,106 feet) in length. The second LNG-powered cruise ship to enter operation in the world, she has a maximum capacity of 6,554 passengers with 1,646 crew and a service speed of 21.5 knots.

Construction of the Costa Smeralda began at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, in September 2017. Meyer Turku collaborated with the Meyer Werft Papenburg shipyard to develop and integrate the LNG propulsion plant for the ship. She is fitted with four 16-cylinder, Caterpillar MaK 16VM46DF engines, with 15.4 megawatts (20,710 horsepower) output per engine, resulting in a maximum power of  37 megawatts (50,000 horsepower).

The ship, which was named after the Emerald Coast of Sardinia, entered service in December 2019 , departing Savona on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, where it has sailed since.

8. Costa Cruises – Costa Toscana : 186,364 gross tonnes

The Costa Toscana is the sister ship of the Costa Smeralda and is also powered by LNG . measuring 337m (1,106 feet) long and weighing in at 186,364 gross tonnes, the Toscana has a maximum capacity of 6,338 passengers and 1,678 staff across her 20 decks.

Like her sister ship, the Toscana was also built at the Meyer shipyard in Finland, with construction completed in 2021. She is also powered by four MaK-Caterpillar engines, with a total power of 57.2 megawatts (76,706 horsepower), and two ABB Azipod motors , resulting in a service speed of 17 knots.

Named in homage to the Tuscany region of Italy, Costa Toscana mainly sails around the Mediterranean Sea but Costa Cruises has also used the ship to sail itineraries further afield, such as around Brazil and the UAE.

7. MSC Cruises – MSC World Europa : 215,863 gross tonnes

The only entry in the top ten from MSC Cruises, MSC World Europa measures 333m (1,094 feet) in length. With 215,863 gross tonnage, she can house more people than any other ship in the MSC fleet: up to 6,762 passengers across 2,633 cabins spread over 22 decks, in addition to 2,138 crew.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, the World Europa ’s LNG-power propulsion system was subcontracted to Finland-based Wärtsilä. Five LNG-powered, 14-cylinder Wartsila 46DF dual-fuel engines power the vessel, with a propulsion power of 44 megawatts ( 59,005 horsepower). She also features nitrogen oxide reduction (NOR) units, two Wartsila LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems, seven thrusters, and two fixed-pitch propellers. 

The MSC World Europa was floated out at the end of 2021 and was initially used as an accommodation vessel for fans attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the ship berthed at Doha Port in Qatar during the tournament. Following the competition, the ship subsequently travelled several routes around the UAE, before sailing to the Mediterranean, where it has sailed itineraries since.

6. Royal Caribbean International – Allure of the Seas : 225,282 gross tonnes

The first of many entries on this list operated by Royal Caribbean, Allure of the Seas weighs in at 225,282 gross tonnes. Measuring 362m (1,187 feet), she is only 50mm (2 inches) longer than her sister ship the Oasis of the Seas . The Allure has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,200 crew across 18 decks.

Built at the Turku Shipyard in Finland, the Allure took two years to build , floating out in 2010. She features six Wärtsilä 46 diesel engines with a total power output of 97 megawatts (130,053 horsepower). It is propelled by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters. The ship can travel at a cruising speed of 22 knots.

With a homeport of Galveston, Texas in the US, the Allure mainly serves itineraries around the Bahamas but she is scheduled to sail routes around the Mediterranean in 2025.

5. Royal Caribbean International – Oasis of the Seas : 226,838 gross tonnes

The oldest ship on this list, the Oasis of the Seas has been in service for over a decade. She was the biggest cruise ship at the time when floated out in 2009, with a gross tonnage of 226,838gt and a length of 360m (1,181 feet). The Oasis has a maximum capacity of 6,699 passengers and 2,181 staff across 18 decks.

The Oasis took two years to build at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, with the keel laid on 12 November 2007 and the ship arriving at her homeport of Port Everglades in Florida, US, on 13 November 2009.

The Oasis is powered by eight Wärtsilä V12 diesel engines, which generate 5.6 megawatts (7,500 horsepower) each, alongside four bow thrusters. The main propulsion system consists of three 20-megawatt (26,820 horsepower) electric Azipod motors, resulting in a combined propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and a standard cruising speed of 23 knots.

The Oasis mainly operates routes around the Caribbean, but occasionally repositions to offer itineraries in the Mediterranean.

4. Royal Caribbean International – Harmony of the Seas : 226,963 gross tonnes

The third Oasis-class ship built by Royal Caribbean, Harmony of the Seas weighed in bigger than her existing sister ships at launch in 2016, with 226,963 gross tonnage, but she has since been surpassed by newer vessels. With a total length of 362m (1,188 feet), Harmony has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,300 staff across 18 decks.

Royal Caribbean placed an order with STX France for the construction of Harmony of the Seas in December 2012. The first steel for the ship was cut at STX France’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in September 2013, while the keel-laying ceremony was held in May 2014.

The Harmony is powered by three 18.9-megawatt Wärtsilä 16V46 16-cylinder main generator diesel engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46 12-cylinder engines producing 13.9 megawatts each. The propulsion power is provided by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters and manoeuvring is assisted by four 5.5-megawatt Wärtsilä CT 3500 tunnel thrusters. The propulsion system results in 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and enables the ship to sail at a standard speed of 23 knots.

Harmony of the Seas embarked on her inaugural seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, Spain, in June 2016, and currently operates itineraries around the Western Caribbean from her homeport of Galveston, Texas in the US.

3. Royal Caribbean International – Symphony of the Seas : 228,081 gross tonnes

At launch in 2018, the Symphony of the Seas surpassed the Harmony as the biggest cruise ship, weighing in at 228,081 gross tonnes. Measuring 361m (1,185 feet), the Symphony has a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers and 2,200 staff across 18 decks and was the testing ground for Royal Caribbean's new muster drill . With a total length of 361m (1,185 feet), She is roughly 30 metres (98 feet) longer than the largest military ships , the US Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and the USS Gerald R. Ford .

The keel-laying ceremony for the Symphony of the Seas was held in October 2015 at STX’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in France, and the ship sailed out in June 2017. She is powered by six diesel sets, each composed of three Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46D engines, as well as three 20-megawatt electric Azipod main engines – resulting in 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) of propulsion power and a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.

The Symphony commenced her seven-day maiden voyage from Barcelona in April 2018, and since then has mainly operated itineraries around the Caribbean from her homeports of Miami, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.

2. Royal Caribbean International – Wonder of the Seas : 235,600 gross tonnes

Royal Caribbean's flagship, Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis-class cruise ship built for the cruise company. Weighing in at 235,600 gross tonnes, the Wonder was the largest ship in the world when she was completed in January 2022. Measuring 362m (1,187 feet) in length, the 18-deck Wonder has a maximum capacity of 7,084 guests across its 2,867 staterooms, as well as housing 2,369 crew.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, Wonder is powered by two Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and four Wärtsilä 12V46D engines; and uses three 20-megawatt electric Azipod engines for propulsion, combining for a propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower and a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.

The Wonder sailed her maiden voyage in March 2022 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has since served itineraries around the Caribbean from her homeports of Miami and Cape Canaveral.

1. Royal Caribbean International – Icon of the Seas : 248,663 gross tonnes

Weighing 248,663 gross tonnes and measuring 365 metres (1,1967 feet), the Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. Christened on 23 January 2024, the Icon has a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew across 20 decks. She is the lead ship of the new Icon-class, with a sister ship the Star of the Seas due to be delivered in 2025 and another ship planned for delivery in 2026.

Built by Meyer Turku in Finland, the Icon is the first ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet that can be powered by LNG. It uses three Wärtsilä 14V46DF and three Wärtsilä 12V46DF for its main generator engines, which provide 67.5 megawatts of energy to run the ship. She is propelled by three 20-megawatt Azipod thrusters as well as five 4.8-megawatt Wärtsilä WTT-45 CP bow thrusters, with a cruising speed of 22 knots.

After sailing her maiden voyage on 27 January 2024, the Icon now sails year-round itineraries of seven-night trips around the Eastern and Western Caribbean from her homeport of Miami, Florida.

"The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world" was originally created and published by Ship Technology , a GlobalData owned brand.

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Worldwide msc international, the cruise division of msc group and totalenergies marine fuels complete first lng bunkering operation in marseille for msc cruises’ msc world europa.

Marseille, 26 April, 2023 – The Cruise Division of MSC Group and TotalEnergies Marine Fuels have successfully completed the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering operation at the Port of Marseille Fos, Southern France, for MSC Cruises’ MSC World Europa .

MSC World Europa, which was delivered in October 2022 by Chantiers de l’Atlantique at the Saint Nazaire shipyard in France, is 333 meters long and the best performing large cruise ship operating in the world in terms of CO2eq emissions per passenger.     

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels’ chartered LNG bunker barge, the Gas Vitality, refuelled the MSC Cruises vessel via a ship-to-ship transfer of 2 500 m of LNG at the port on April 22 , while guest operations continued as normal. The successful execution of these simultaneous operations (SIMOPs) underscores TotalEnergies’ Marine Fuels ability to safely deliver commercial LNG bunkering operations.

The operation marks the start of the previously announced LNG bunker supply contract between TotalEnergies and the Cruise Division of MSC Group in March 2021, as the companies drive forward their respective decarbonization plans. Under the agreement, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels will supply approximately 45,000 tons per year of LNG to MSC Cruises’ vessels at Marseille.

“We are excited to support the Cruise Division of MSC Group in their decarbonization journey and to help the Port of Marseille Fos become an LNG bunker hub for the Mediterranean region,” said Philippe Charleux - Senior Vice President Lubricants and Specialties, TotalEnergies . “This operation also expands our LNG bunkering capabilities to the cruise ship segment, demonstrating our ability to serve a broader range of shipping clients, as the industry strives to reduce emissions. In line with TotalEnergies’ Climate ambition, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with our industry partners to develop and scale up new, lower-carbon and ultimately, zero-carbon fuel solutions for shipping.”

Patrick Pourbaix, Managing Director of MSC Cruises in France , said: “This first LNG bunkering operation in Marseille is an important milestone for our company as we welcome MSC World Europa for her first summer season in the Mediterranean. Featuring a range of unprecedented innovations in terms of environmental and marine technologies MSC World Europa represents a major step forward on our journey towards meeting our target of net-zero emissions by 2050. LNG is not only the cleanest marine fuel currently available at scale, but also a transitional fuel as we look ahead to source and use synthetic LNG or other alternative non-carbon fuels as soon as they become available at scale.”

Marine LNG sharply reduces emissions from ships and significantly improves air quality, in particular when at berth for the benefit of port cities and communities in coastal areas. The use of marine LNG therefore impacts positively not only the city where LNG bunkering will take place, Marseille. It also paves the way forward for all ports in the Mediterranean to meet the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations taking effect in 2025, as part of its new Emission Control Area (ECA) designation. Used as a marine fuel, LNG helps to cut: sulfur emissions and fine particle emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85% and Greenhouse gas emissions by around 20%. 

TotalEnergies supports the growing role of LNG in shipping’s energy transition

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels has actively invested in LNG bunkering infrastructure, critical to support its shipping customers’ decarbonization ambitions through the uptake of LNG as a marine fuel. The Company currently charters two 18,600-m³ LNG bunker vessels: the Gas Agility, at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands; and the Gas Vitality, at the Port of Marseille-Fos, France.

Since the start of TotalEnergies Marine Fuels’ LNG bunkering operations in November 2020, the Gas Agility and the Gas Vitality have performed over a hundred LNG bunkering operations. Notably, both vessels have conducted world-premier, large-scale operations across these bunker hubs with high levels of performance and safety records. 

TotalEnergies, the world’s third largest LNG player

TotalEnergies is the world’s third largest LNG player with a market share of around 12% and a global portfolio of about 50 Mt/y thanks to its interests in liquefaction plants in all geographies. The Company benefits from an integrated position across the LNG value chain, including production, transportation, access to nearly 20 Mt/y of regasification capacity in Europe, trading, and LNG bunkering. TotalEnergies’ ambition is to increase the share of natural gas in its sales mix close to 50% by 2030, to reduce carbon emissions and eliminate methane emissions associated with the gas value chain, and to work with local partners to promote the transition from coal to natural gas.  

About TotalEnergies Marine Fuels

With over three decades of market experience, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels is TotalEnergies’ dedicated business unit in charge of worldwide bunkering activities. A long-term partner to the global shipping industry, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels serves more than 200 shipping customers across over 130 ports in Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa. Its headquarters is located in Singapore, with two satellite offices in Paris and Geneva.

In order to help its shipping customers adopt the cleanest available marine fuels today, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels has made key commitments to supply marine LNG, bioLNG and biofuels at strategic bunker hubs. As part of its ongoing work in various maritime coalitions and cross-industry R&D initiatives, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels is also helping to shape the production of decarbonized future fuels for shipping.

MSC World Europa ’s environmental technologies

MSC World Europa is the world’s first contemporary cruise ship to feature brand new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology powered by LNG. The ship includes a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator that uses LNG to produce electricity and heat on board in a highly efficient way by means of an electrochemical reaction.

MSC World Europa is equipped with shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce carbon emissions in port, as well as 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 ballast water treatment system that prevents the introduction of invasive species in the marine environment through ballast water discharges, in full compliance with IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention.  

The vessel has an entire team of crew dedicated to implementing the strict waste management protocols which separate all wastes into seven distinct types, for example, glass, plastic, aluminum and paper, with specialised equipment to crush or bundle these waste types in the ship’s waste management facility.

In addition, MSC World Europa features underwater radiated noise management system to minimise disturbance to marine life and a comprehensive range of onboard energy efficient equipment to optimise engine use and hotel energy needs to reduce emissions further. It is also fitted with enhanced automatic data collection systems for remote energy monitoring and advanced analysis, allowing real-time shoreside support to optimise operational efficiency onboard.

  @TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies  

About the Cruise Division of MSC Group

The Cruise Division of MSC Group, the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has two distinct brands within its structure - the contemporary and luxury brands.  

MSC Cruises, the contemporary brand, is the world’s third largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Middle East and Southern Africa with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is also the fastest growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.

Its fleet comprises 21 modern vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels and is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025.

MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programmes and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about contemporary brand’s itineraries and experience on board its ships please see here .

Meanwhile the luxury brand, Explora Journeys, is set to start operating in 2023 with a fleet with the latest and most advanced environmental and maritime technologies available. The first of which will have a gross tonnage of 63,900 GT and feature 461 of the largest suites at sea, all with ocean front terraces. These luxury ships will introduce to the luxury segment a broad range of new guest experiences and other activities as well as generous ratios of public spaces, in addition to showcasing highly innovative design. For further information about Explora Journeys please see here .

MSC has long been committed to environmental stewardship with a long-term goal to achieve net zero emissions for its operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide. To learn more about the Company’s environmental commitment please see here . 

Finally, to learn more about the MSC Foundation, MSC Group’s own vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian and cultural commitments please see here .

• Media Relations: +41 76 339 78 38 | [email protected]

• July 08, 2024
• Shipbuilding , Shipyard News

Photos: Ship Repair USA 2024 in review

Photos of last month’s Marine Log’s Ship Repair USA conference are now available.

Marine Log held its second annual Ship Repair USA conference in the French Quarter of New Orleans on June 11-12, once again attracting attendees from across the spectrum of shipyards, vessel operators, maintenance providers, suppliers, and other specialists.

Marine Log’s Ship Repair USA is the only focused ship repair and maintenance event in North America, bringing together all those allied to the repair industry.

“This year’s Ship Repair USA conference was a true collaborative effort,” said Gary Lynch, publisher for Marine Log. “Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, SNAME , our association partner; MSC, and all of our attendees for making the second annual Ship Repair USA Conference a huge success.”

Day one of the event focused on shipyard funding, workforce challenges, ship repair contract pitfalls, best practices in ship repair, drydocking and lift innovations and more.

A panel moderated by Morgan Fanberg, CEO of naval architecture firm Glosten, dived into the critical challenges and cutting-edge solutions in ship repair. Panelists—Ted Williams, president of Senesco Marine; Lane Richards, vice president of service sales at Everett Ship Repair; and Patrick Roberts, vice president of sales and operations for SSI USA—covered topics, such as balancing cost, time, and quality, the impact of technological advances, addressing skilled labor shortages, and ensuring environmental compliance during the discussion.

Day two focused on programming from the Military Sealift Command and how ship repair yards, especially smaller ones, can access its commercial repair work needs among other things. MSC also held a panel discussion with Alabama Shipyard and Bayonne Dry Dock on their experiences of having MSC as a ship repair customer.

“I am excited to see how Ship Repair USA evolves as we take the advice of our attendees and our own expertise into next year and beyond,” says Heather Ervin, editor in chief of Marine Log. “We always want the industry to be involved in our programming and networking ideas since this event is truly for them.”

Ship Repair USA 2025 will return to the Gulf region next year with more details to be unveiled later this summer. Marine Log will also host FERRIES 2024 , taking place October 29-30 in Seattle, Wash.

To submit presentation or panel topic ideas for any Marine Log event, please send an email to Heather Ervin at [email protected]. For inquiries on sponsorships, contact David Harkey at [email protected].

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