Cruise operator MSC Cruises says the debut voyage of its latest LNG-fuelled vessel performed better than expected and resulted in saving of 43 tonnes of fuel, paving way for zero emission cruises ahead of the deadline of 2050.

The debut voyage of MSC Euribia, the latest vessel to join the fleet of cruise operator MSC Cruises, has passed off much better than expected with a saving of as many as 43 tonnes of fuel.

Powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) MSC Euribia set off on June 3 for its debut voyage from the French shipbuilding dock, Saint Nazaire, to the Danish capital Copenhagen, which it reached five days later, on June 8.

In a press statement MSC Cruises, releasing key data and insights gathered from the journey, says that during the four-day voyage, MSC Euribia performed 11 pc better than its digital virtual twin and achieved an overall saving of 43 tonnes of fuel. 

A combination of optimal speed profiles, routing, trim and engine configuration, and strict optimisation of the hotel’s energy consumption, including High Volume Air Conditioning (HVAC), galleys, and lighting, ensured that the ship did not have to use more than two of its four engines during the voyage. 

It adds that the world’s first net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cruise proved that nett-zero emissions cruising was possible now, significantly ahead of the 2050 target for the industry.  

The company adds that in addition, all the required heat for galleys, heating systems and hot water on board was recovered from MSC Euribia’s engines, so there was no need to use the ship’s boilers for the voyage.  

The ship used bio-LNG and a mass-balance system, the most cost-effective and environmentally efficient method of delivering the benefits of renewable LNG, recognised by the EU Renewable Energy Directive. Each batch of bio-LNG produced was certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification.  

MSC Cruises says that the successful completion of this voyage sends a clear signal that NetZero GHG emissions marine operations are possible today, as long as alternative fuels are available. The data harvested and information gathered during the trip is going to be used to optimise the existing ships in the fleet, further driving down emissions intensity across MSC Cruises’ fleet.  

“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 incentivising acceleration of technological advancements and renewable fuels availability, the industry can achieve nett-zero emissions cruising by 2050,’’ says Michele Francioni, Senior Vice President of Optimisation for the Cruise Division of MSC Group.

The company adds that the recent signing of a Letter of Intent with Gasum, a fuel supplier, will provide MSC with access to liquefied synthetic gas (e-LNG), a renewable fuel produced using hydrogen, created 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 nett 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 nett zero GHG voyage and use these findings as a benchmark for delivering our next LNG vessel,” says Linden Coppell, Vice President of Sustainability and ESG for MSC Cruises.