It is rare in 3 months after delivery, when the liner is not yet completed, the ship owner opens its doors. And that’s exactly what this Tuesday, July 5th did MSC Cruises to do Atlantic shipyards In Saint-Nazaire, it is proud to present its yacht MSC World Europa 6th largest in the worldFirst built in France to run on LNG, Liquefied natural gas. Another green innovation on board: a A new type of fuel cell. “A significant step towards the decarbonisation of passenger transport” Mark the shipyards.

LNG: 25% less CO2 emissions

First is LNG. 4 tanks In the engine room, that means 15 days of autonomy. LNG reduced 25% CO2 emissions and more than 95% Sulphur, nitrogen and fine particles. “It’s the best method of propulsion, and it’s a fossil fuel that’s still evolving. Soon there will be bio-LNG, synthetic methane or even green hydrogen,” he said. Henri Doerr, director of MSC Construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, explains.

A type of fuel cell on the world stage in an ocean liner

About that fuel cell, It is a demonstration World premiere In a liner. A prototype for now. When MSC gave the green light it was too late to put her in the engine room, so the shipyards proposed to install her at the very top between the 2 funnels. It’s about a Solid oxide fuel cellSo expensive and rare hydrogen is not needed, it is Works with LNG and createsEmission-free electricity. 150 MW That is the consumption of 300 people. “It’s the equivalent of our Yacht Club located at the front, the VIP area of ​​the yacht,” Patrick Pourbais, Managing Director of MSC Croisières France, recalls that the ship owner has set a target of zero emissions by 2050. Shipyards are already planning to equip cruise ships with many of these batteries within 3 to 4 years. It allows them to be Autonomous when docked. Then fuel oil was used to generate electricity in the ports Pollution These giants do it without fail Controversy

The 333 meter long liner, which can accommodate 6,762 passengers, will be delivered in October 2022. Opening in Marseille over the weekend of October 23 and 24, MSC World Europa more than lives up to its billing.One billion euros, Then depart for him First cruise in Doha.

Two LNG-powered MSC liners will be delivered by 2025. Two more are optional.

MSC World Europe in numbers:

• 333 meters long, 68 meters high
• 6,762 passengers, 2,138 crew, 2,626 cabins
• 38,000 tonnes of steel, 7 million hours of work, Designed and built in 2 years
• 7 swimming pools, 20 bars, slides on 10 floors, 30 meters high