The world's first net-zero greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions cruise voyage, achieved by MSC Euribia, the Cruise Division of MSC Group's new LNG-powered ship, marks a paradigm shift for cruising . It demonstrates that net-zero emissions cruise travel is already possible today, significantly ahead of the 2050 target for the industry. The MSC Euribia achieved this milestone using bio-LNG as fuel through the application of mass balance.
Following MSC Euribia's historic net-zero GHG maiden voyage from Saint Nazaire, France, to Copenhagen, Denmark, 3-8 June 2023, including a day in Amsterdam, MSC Cruises can now share key data and the knowledge gathered from the trip. During the four-day voyage, MSC Euribia performed 11% better than its digital twin, a virtual ship that replicates the optimal flow and utilization of energy on board, achieving an overall saving of 43 tonnes of fuel. Optimal speed profiles, routing, engine tuning and configuration, and strict optimization of the hotel's energy consumption, including HVAC, kitchens and lighting, ensured that MSC Euribia never had to use more than two of its four engines available during the trip. Besides,
Achieving net zero performance was made possible by using bio-LNG as fuel. The MSC Euribia used bio-LNG using a mass balance system, the most cost-effective and environmentally efficient method to deliver the benefits of renewable LNG, fully recognized by the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). Each batch of bio-LNG produced was certified by the International Sustainability and 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 and information collected during the voyage will be used to optimize existing ships in the fleet, further reducing emissions intensity across the entire MSC Cruises fleet.
Michele Francioni, Senior Vice President of Cruise Division Optimization at MSC Group, commented: "We are extremely proud of this achievement, which demonstrates that net zero cruising is possible today. Our onboard engineers and captain-led crew Battinelli did a fantastic job optimizing the operation of the ship. The MSC Euribia truly has the most energy efficient cruise design to date, but we need greater availability of renewable fuels for the wider maritime industry to consistently repeat this feat. With the level adequate support from governments and international institutions to encourage the acceleration of technological advances and the availability of renewable fuels,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 from hydrogen, created by hydrolysis with renewable energy and captured carbon.
Linden Coppell, Vice President of Sustainability and ESG at MSC Cruises, said: The partnership with Gasum will allow us to access new, cleaner fuels needed to take a significant step towards net zero cruising. We need more suppliers like Gasum to step up and support our industry. We are ready and waiting to purchase more of these new fuels. In the meantime, we will continue to learn from data from MSC Euribia's net-zero GHG voyage and use these findings as a benchmark to deliver our next LNG vessel."