MSC Cruises, a division of MSC Group, has announced plans to operate the first-ever net-zero cruise using bio-liquefied natural gas (LNG) on its new flagship, MSC Euribia. Departing from Saint-Nazaire, France, on June 3, the vessel will sail for four days to Copenhagen, Denmark, achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and showcasing the feasibility of sustainable cruising.

To ensure the voyage achieves net-zero emissions, MSC Cruises has purchased 400 tons of bio-LNG, becoming the first deep-sea ocean cruise operator to utilize this renewable fuel. Bio-LNG is produced from organic waste and offers substantially lower lifetime greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional natural gas.

The voyage will utilize bio-LNG through a mass-balance system, complying with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive.

To optimize energy efficiency, MSC Cruises will have experts monitor and optimize systems on board, implementing measures from engine configuration to air-conditioning fan speed.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, emphasized the significance of this industry-first net-zero emissions voyage and the need for collaboration among governments, producers, and end-users to scale up the availability of cleaner fuels.

MSC Euribia, a fuel-flexible ship, is part of MSC Cruises’ ongoing efforts to utilize renewable fuels and reduce environmental impact. By leveraging fossil LNG, the company has already achieved a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional marine fuels, along with the elimination of sulfur oxide and particulate emissions and an 85% reduction in nitrogen oxides.

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