MSC Cruises unveils data on four-day net zero emissions cruise voyage

The cruise-arm of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has claimed that its LNG-powered cruise vessel, MSC Euribia, has completed a four-day voyage with net zero emissions.

PHOTO: MSC Cruises' LNG-powered cruise ship MSC Euribia. MSC Cruises

The cruise operator achieved the feat by utilising bio-LNG as fuel and applying mass-balance accounting. Bio-LNG is usually produced by processing organic waste flows, such as organic household and industrial waste, manure, and sewage sludge. Meanwhile, in a mass-balance system, fossil and renewable gas can be mixed, but their quantities are recorded and accounted for throughout the system.

Each batch of bio-LNG fuel was certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), MSC said.

The cruise vessel, MSC Euribia, saved 43 mt of fuel during her maiden voyage from Saint Nazaire, France to Copenhagen, Denmark. The vessel performed "11% better than her digital twin – a virtual ship reproducing the optimum energy flow and utilization on board,” MSC Cruises claimed.

Apart from using bio-LNG as fuel, energy-efficiency measures including “optimal speed profiles, routing, trim and engine configuration,” and “strict optimization of hotel-related energy consumption” made sure that the vessel never had to use more than two of its four engines during the voyage.

Besides, heating and hot water requirements on board were met by using a waste heat recovery system.

The company plans to utilise the data gathered from the four-day voyage to improve existing ships in its fleet to reduce emissions across operations.

“With the right level of support from governments and international institutions in incentivising acceleration of technological advancements and renewable fuels availability, the industry can achieve net-zero emissions cruising by 2050,” MSC Group’s cruise division senior vice president Michele Francioni said.

Notably, in June, MSC Cruises signed a deal with Finnish state-owned energy company Gasum for supply of liquefied synthetic gas or e-LNG that is produced using hydrogen, generated by hydrolysis with renewable energy and captured carbon.

“The partnership with Gasum will enable us to access new and cleaner fuels needed to make a significant step toward net zero cruising,” MSC Cruises’ vice president of sustainability Linden Coppell said.

By Tuhin Roy

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