The Reuters news staff had no role in the production of this content. It was created by Reuters Plus, the brand marketing studio of Reuters.
PRODUCED BY REUTERS PLUS FOR
To say cruising is undergoing a transformation is something of an understatement. Longtime fossil-fuel-reliant, this corner of tourism has seen a wave of groundbreaking innovation in the last decade, and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) members have committed to perusing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in line with the targets of the Paris Agreement.
The net-zero ambition is clear, but how cruise lines achieve it is up to them. Seeking to be at the forefront of this change within the industry is MSC Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise line, which is aiming to reduce energy consumption through technological advancement and improvements in the operational efficiency of voyages while transitioning to renewable fuels. Simply put, achieving net-zero requires forward motion on three key pillars: ship technology, operational efficiency and fuel.
MSC Cruises has already reduced the carbon intensity of its fleet by 37.8%, compared with 2008, thanks to improved operational efficiency achieved through ship design and onboard technology. But fuel will play the most significant role.
“We’re not going to reach net-zero without renewable fuels,” says Linden Coppell, Vice President, Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises. Liquified natural gas (LNG) is key to this. A fuel that offers immediate benefits by producing up to 20% less greenhouse gas emissions than Marine Gasoil (MGO). The plan is to transition from fossil-based LNG to renewable alternatives as they become commercially available, as these vessels need no modification for these renewable fuels. Major reductions in nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide are an additional benefit of LNG, vital to addressing local air quality concerns in and around ports.
Two new MSC Cruises ships, MSC Euribia and MSC World Europa, can use LNG as a fuel using the latest engine technology. Three LNG ships will be added to the fleet between 2025 and 2027.
The potential of these fuels is front of mind for Coppell: “It is really important that we have engines that give us a high level of flexibility to make this transition to new and better, cleaner, lower carbon-intensive fuels.”
Naturally, a more sustainable future relies on the industry using not just better but less fuel. Innovative tracking tools are helping MSC Cruises decrease energy use onboard its cruise ships. “It’s really important that we are being as energy efficient as we can,” says Coppell. “Not least because many newer fuels simply don't have the same energy per volume as conventional liquid fuel, so we'll need to carry more.”
We’re not going to reach net zero without renewable fuels
Collectively, these projects are already making a difference to the company’s greenhouse gas emissions. MSC’s newest ships are around 55% more efficient than is currently required by regulators, as measured by the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index. The company’s latest and most innovative ship, MSC Euribia emits 44% less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger than MSC Cruises’ vessels built just a decade ago.
Still, challenges remain. Cruise ships are designed based on a 30-year shelf life, so change takes time, and retrofitting for newer renewable fuels or fuel reducing technologies may not be commercially viable. Meanwhile, some of the cruising industry’s progress relies on external factors, such as renewable fuels becoming cheaper and available at ports across the world. Governments play a huge role in this transition, shaping the regulatory and fiscal framework that encourages the development and availability of these fuels.
Coppell is confident that the net-zero target by 2050 is within reach. Perhaps the surest sign of this was the success of the net-zero greenhouse gas emissions cruise on MSC Euribia in June 2023, from St. Nazaire, France, to Copenhagen, Denmark. Fueled by bio-LNG through mass-balance, the ship’s onboard efficiency tracker ensured energy consumption was optimized wherever possible. The result was a journey that not only achieved its net-zero greenhouse gas emission goal but performed 11% more efficiently than the ship’s “digital twin” — a virtual model replicating the ship performance. It's an encouraging sign that a sustainable future for cruising is achievable with approved renewable fuels.
“We're seeing frequent progress being made by our industry, both with efficiency, technologies and with trialing renewable fuels,” says Coppell. “That's only going to accelerate, and with MSC Euribia we showed that the future of cruising is coming.”
Another way to decrease fuel burned on board is shore power. Unlike other vessels whose main energy demand is for propulsion, cruise ships are home to hotels that need energy, even at ports. CLIA is aiming for all ships calling at ports capable of providing shoreside power to be equipped to either use shore power or to be able to use alternative low-carbon technologies by 2035. MSC Cruises has been fitting shore power systems on board its fleet as standard since 2017 and commenced a retrofit program in 2023. By the end of 2024 over 70% of the fleet will be shore power capable. The company is also working with existing ports, as well as building new terminals, to make shore power infrastructure available wherever possible.
Despite this, Coppell believes we’ll never reach a point where shore power is available in every port globally. “We visit small island destinations,” she says. “These are places where the ports may not have the power available to accommodate large cruise vessels.” One potential solution available in the future for these locations could be on board fuel cells, which create energy using electrolysis to generate heat and energy—no fuel-burning or plugging-in needed. MSC Cruises is testing this technology on MSC World Europa and collaborating with technology providers to find out how this technology could be scaled up to fulfill the fuel demands of the hotel load. Fuel cells can operate using green hydrogen, which could enable zero emissions operations.
Disclaimer: The Reuters news staff had no role in the production of this content. It was created by Reuters Plus, the brand marketing studio of Reuters. To work with Reuters Plus, contact us here.
Linden Coppell
Vice President, Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises
44
%
MSC Euribia emits
less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger than ships built just a decade ago.
37.8
%
MSC Cruises has already reduced the carbon intensity of its fleet by
compared with 2008.
Caption
A sustainable future for cruising is not only achievable but well on its way
1983
First adopted in November 1973, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) came into force in 1983, with the aim of preventing and controlling pollution by oil and noxious liquid substances from ships and thereby protecting the marine environment.
In addition to other amendments MARPOL was notably amended in 1988 to prevent pollution by waste from ships.
1988
The Paris Agreement signed by 196 countries. An international treaty aimed at addressing climate change and its impacts with the goal of keeping global warming to no more than 1.5°C.
2015
The European Commission publishes the ‘Fit for 55’ package, a set of proposals across every sector to meet the EU’s aims of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 55%
by 2030.
2021
IMO Member States adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.
2023
Mandatory for all ships to calculate their attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) to measure their energy efficiency and to initiate the collection of data for the reporting of their annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and CII rating.
2023
FuelEU Maritime Regulation comes into effect, requiring year-on-year improvements to the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy ships use, up to an 80% reduction in GHG intensity by 2050.
2025
2050
%
Net-zero GHG
emissions is to be achieved in
by international maritime transport.
20
%
The International
Maritime Organization has
set the goal of reducing the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least
by 2030.
70
The IMO has set
goal of reducing the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least
by 2040.
FuelEU Maritime Regulation obliges passenger and container ships to connect to onshore power supplies at major EU ports from 2030, when at berth for more than two hours.
2030
IMO ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.
2050
IMO indicative check-points for international shipping to reduce GHG by at least 20% by 2030 and by at least 70% by 2040.
2030
2040
The future of cruising
How can the cruise industry become more sustainable and ultimately achieve net-zero emissions? What are the technologies that can move the sector in the right direction? And what is MSC Cruises doing to make this future a reality?
Using reverse osmosis, MSC Euribia can produce 2.7 million liters of water in 24 hours, more than is than need to fill to an Olympic-sized swimming pool. This is used for potable (drinking, cooking cleaning, showers, etc.) and non-potable water. MSC Euribia has an advanced water treatment system, which treats all black and grey water and ensures it meets the highest regulatory standards before being discharged.
Reverse osmosis and advanced water treatment system
Access to shore power is crucial on the journey to net zero emissions. Connecting directly to power sources onshore allows ship engines to be switched off, eliminating local emissions. Electricity connects to the ship through a specially designed dock transformer, reducing local air emissions and reducing underwater noise and vibrations. All main ports in the European Union will be required to install shoreside electricity by 2030 to allow ships to connect and reduce emissions at port.
Shore power
Recycling is a fundamental part of running the vessel. The Densifier which compresses aluminium. 18,000 cans turns into 1 pallet (220kg). The glass crusher can turn 7,100 wine bottles into one pallet of 2,500kg.
Recycling
Liquefied natural gas technology on board enables MSC Cruises to switch at any time to fully renewable liquefied biogas (bio-liquefied natural gas) or synthetic gas (synthetic renewable liquefied natural gas) to reach greenhouse gas emissions reductions of up to 100 per cent.
Liquefied natural gas and renewable fuels
house text on
timeline in pop up
Reverse Osmosis and Advanced Water Treatment System
Using reverse osmosis, MSC Euribia can produce 2.7 million litres of water in 24h, more than is than need to fill to an Olympic size swimming pool – this used for potable - drinking, cooking cleaning, shoers etc- and non-potable water. MSC Euribia has an advanced water treatment system, which treats all black and grey water and ensures it meets the highest regulatory standards before being discharged.
Shore Power
Access to shore power is crucial on the journey to net zero emissions. Connecting directly to power sources onshore allows ship engines to be switched off, eliminating local emissions. Electricity connects to the ship through a specially designed dock transformer, reducing local air emissions and reducing underwater noise and vibrations. All main ports in the European Union will be required to install shoreside electricity by 2030 to allow ships to connect and reduce emissions at port.
Liquefied Natural Gas and Renewable Fuels
Liquefied Natural Gas technology on board enables MSC Cruises to switch at any time to fully renewable liquefied biogas (bio-Liquefied Natural Gas) or synthetic gas (synthetic renewable Liquefied Natural Gas) to reach greenhouse gas emissions reductions of up to 100 per cent
Recycling
Recycling is a fundamental part of running the vessel. The Densifier which compresses aluminium. 18’000 cans turns into 1 pallet (220kg). The glass crusher can turn 7’100 wine bottles into one pallet of 2’500kg.
MARPOL amended to include the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form.
1992
Requirements to control pollution of the sea by sewage came into force.
2003
New limits on sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ships entered into force.
2005
“We’re not going to reach net-zero without renewable fuels,” says Linden Coppell, Vice President, Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises. Liquified natural gas (LNG) is key to this. A fuel that offers immediate benefits by producing up to 20% less greenhouse gas emissions than Marine Gasoil (MGO). The plan is to transition from fossil-based LNG to renewable alternatives as they become commercially available, as these vessels need no modification for these renewable fuels. Major reductions in nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide are an additional benefit of LNG, vital to addressing local air quality concerns in and around ports.
Two new MSC Cruises ships, MSC Euribia and MSC World Europa, can use LNG as a fuel using the latest engine technology. Three LNG ships will be added to the fleet between 2025 and 2027.
The potential of these fuels is front of mind for Coppell: “It is really important that we have engines that give us a high level of flexibility to make this transition to new and better, cleaner, lower carbon-intensive fuels.”
Naturally, a more sustainable future relies on the industry using not just better but less fuel. Innovative tracking tools are helping MSC Cruises decrease energy use onboard its cruise ships. “It’s really important that we are being as energy efficient as we can,” says Coppell. “Not least because many newer fuels simply don't have the same energy per volume as conventional liquid fuel, so we'll need to carry more.”
+
Towards Sustainability at Sea
Find out how MSC Euribia's maiden voyage had net-zero emissions
Watch now
%
%
New limits on sulphur oxide emissions from ships entered into force.
Entry into force of changes to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) whereby ships of 5,000 GT and above calling at EU ports will be included under the scheme from 2024.
2023
2020
2023
2023
The Reuters news staff had no role in the production of this content. It was created by Reuters Plus, the brand marketing studio of Reuters.
PRODUCED BY REUTERS PLUS FOR
To say cruising is undergoing a transformation is something of an understatement. Longtime fossil-fuel-reliant, this corner of tourism has seen a wave of groundbreaking innovation in the last decade, and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) members have committed to perusing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in line with the targets of the Paris Agreement.
The net-zero ambition is clear, but how cruise lines achieve it is up to them. Seeking to be at the forefront of this change within the industry is MSC Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise line, which is aiming to reduce energy consumption through technological advancement and improvements in the operational efficiency of voyages while transitioning to renewable fuels. Simply put, achieving net-zero requires forward motion on three key pillars: ship technology, operational efficiency and fuel.
MSC Cruises has already increased the carbon intensity of its fleet by 37.8%, compared with 2008, thanks to improved operational efficiency achieved through ship design and onboard technology. But fuel will play the most significant role.
“We’re not going to reach net-zero without renewable fuels,” says Linden Coppell, Vice President, Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises. Liquified natural gas (LNG) is key to this. A fuel that offers immediate benefits by producing up to 20% less greenhouse gas emissions than Marine Gasoil (MGO). The plan is to transition from fossil-based LNG to renewable alternatives as they become commercially available, as these vessels need no modification for these renewable fuels. Major reductions in nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide are an additional benefit of LNG, vital to addressing local air quality concerns in and around ports.
Two new MSC Cruises ships, MSC Euribia and MSC World Europa, can use LNG as a fuel using the latest engine technology. Three LNG ships will be added to the fleet between 2025 and 2027.
The potential of these fuels is front of mind for Coppell: “It is really important that we have engines that give us a high level of flexibility to make this transition to new and better, cleaner, lower carbon-intensive fuels.”
Naturally, a more sustainable future relies on the industry using not just better but less fuel. Innovative tracking tools are helping MSC Cruises decrease energy use onboard its cruise ships. “It’s really important that we are being as energy efficient as we can,” says Coppell. “Not least because many newer fuels simply don't have the same energy per volume as conventional liquid fuel, so we'll need to carry more.”
We’re not going to reach net zero without renewable fuels
Collectively, these projects are already making a difference to the company’s greenhouse gas emissions. MSC’s newest ships are around 55% more efficient than is currently required by regulators, as measured by the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index. The company’s latest and most innovative ship, MSC Euribia emits 44% less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger than MSC Cruises’ vessels built just a decade ago.
Still, challenges remain. Cruise ships are designed based on a 30-year shelf life, so change takes time, and retrofitting for newer renewable fuels or fuel reducing technologies may not be commercially viable. Meanwhile, some of the cruising industry’s progress relies on external factors, such as renewable fuels becoming cheaper and available at ports across the world. Governments play a huge role in this transition, shaping the regulatory and fiscal framework that encourages the development and availability of these fuels.
Coppell is confident that the net-zero target by 2050 is within reach. Perhaps the surest sign of this was the success of the net-zero greenhouse gas emissions cruise on MSC Euribia in June 2023, from St. Nazaire, France, to Copenhagen, Denmark. Fueled by bio-LNG through mass-balance, the ship’s onboard efficiency tracker ensured energy consumption was optimized wherever possible. The result was a journey that not only achieved its net-zero greenhouse gas emission goal but performed 11% more efficiently than the ship’s “digital twin” — a virtual model replicating the ship performance. It's an encouraging sign that a sustainable future for cruising is achievable with approved renewable fuels.
“We're seeing frequent progress being made by our industry, both with efficiency, technologies and with trialing renewable fuels,” says Coppell. “That's only going to accelerate, and with MSC Euribia we showed that the future of cruising is coming.”
Another way to decrease fuel burned on board is shore power. Unlike other vessels whose main energy demand is for propulsion, cruise ships are home to hotels that need energy, even at ports. CLIA is aiming for all ships calling at ports capable of providing shoreside power to be equipped to either use shore power or to be able to use alternative low-carbon technologies by 2035. MSC Cruises has been fitting shore power systems on board its fleet as standard since 2017 and commenced a retrofit program in 2023. By the end of 2024 over 70% of the fleet will be shore power capable. The company is also working with existing ports, as well as building new terminals, to make shore power infrastructure available wherever possible.
Despite this, Coppell believes we’ll never reach a point where shore power is available in every port globally. “We visit small island destinations,” she says. “These are places where the ports may not have the power available to accommodate large cruise vessels.” One potential solution available in the future for these locations could be on board fuel cells, which create energy using electrolysis to generate heat and energy—no fuel-burning or plugging-in needed. MSC Cruises is testing this technology on MSC World Europa and collaborating with technology providers to find out how this technology could be scaled up to fulfill the fuel demands of the hotel load. Fuel cells can operate using green hydrogen, which could enable zero emissions operations.
Disclaimer: The Reuters news staff had no role in the production of this content. It was created by Reuters Plus, the brand marketing studio of Reuters. To work with Reuters Plus, contact us here.
Linden Coppell
Vice President, Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises
44
%
MSC Euribia emits
less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger than boats built just a decade ago.
33
%
The fleet already has an increased efficiency of
compared with 2008.
Caption
A sustainable future for cruising is not only achievable but well on its way
1983
First adopted in November 1973, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) came into force in 1983, with the aim of preventing and controlling pollution by oil and noxious liquid substances from ships and thereby protecting the marine environment.
In addition to other amendments MARPOL was notably amended in 1988 to prevent pollution by waste from ships.
1988
Paris Agreement signed by 196 countries. The international treaty aims to address climate change and its impacts with the goal of keeping global warming to no more than 1.5°C.
2015
The European Commission published the "Fit for 55" package, a set of proposals to meet the EU’s aims of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.
2021
Entry into force of changes to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) whereby an increasing amount of greenhouse gas emissions from ships of 5,000 GT and above calling at EU ports will be included in the plan from 2024 onward.
2023
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) came into force. These are extensive requirements companies must meet to make their sustainability reporting more transparent.
2023
FuelEU Maritime Regulation comes into effect, requiring year-on-year improvements to the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy ships use, up to an 80% reduction in GHG intensity by 2050.
2025
40
%
It is hoped that all cruise ships will have decarbonized by
by 2030
70
%
GHG emissions to be reduced by at least
by 2040
2/3
It is hoped that
of all cruise ships will be able to plug into shore power when in port by 2023.
FuelEU Maritime Regulation generally obliges passenger and container ships at berth in major EU ports for calls lasting more than two hours to use shore power if available or other zero-emission technologies offering equivalent benefits.
2030
Net-zero GHG emissions is to be achieved in 2050 by international maritime transport according not just the goals set by CLIA and its members but also as set out in the IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships thereby contributing to the goals set by the Paris agreement.
2050
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set the goals of reducing the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 20% by 2030, and to reduce the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 70% by 2040.
2030 + 2040
The future of cruising
How can the cruise industry become more sustainable and ultimately achieve net-zero emissions? What are the technologies that can move the sector in the right direction? And what is MSC Cruises doing to make this future a reality?
Using reverse osmosis, MSC Euribia can produce 2.7 million liters of water in 24 hours, more than is than need to fill to an Olympic-sized swimming pool. This is used for potable (drinking, cooking cleaning, showers, etc.) and non-potable water. MSC Euribia has an advanced water treatment system, which treats all black and grey water and ensures it meets the highest regulatory standards before being discharged.
Reverse Osmosis and Advanced Water Treatment System
Access to shore power is crucial on the journey to net zero emissions. Connecting directly to power sources onshore allows ship engines to be switched off, eliminating local emissions. Electricity connects to the ship through a specially designed dock transformer, reducing local air emissions and reducing underwater noise and vibrations. All main ports in the European Union will be required to install shoreside electricity by 2030 to allow ships to connect and reduce emissions at port.
Shore Power
Recycling is a fundamental part of running the vessel. The Densifier which compresses aluminium. 18,000 cans turns into 1 pallet (220kg). The glass crusher can turn 7,100 wine bottles into one pallet of 2,500kg.
Recycling
Liquefied Natural Gas technology on board enables MSC Cruises to switch at any time to fully renewable liquefied biogas (bio-Liquefied Natural Gas) or synthetic gas (synthetic renewable Liquefied Natural Gas) to reach greenhouse gas emissions reductions of up to 100 per cent.
Liquefied Natural Gas and Renewable Fuels
house text on
timeline in pop up
Reverse Osmosis and Advanced Water Treatment System
Using reverse osmosis, MSC Euribia can produce 2.7 million litres of water in 24h, more than is than need to fill to an Olympic size swimming pool – this used for potable - drinking, cooking cleaning, shoers etc- and non-potable water. MSC Euribia has an advanced water treatment system, which treats all black and grey water and ensures it meets the highest regulatory standards before being discharged.
Shore Power
Access to shore power is crucial on the journey to net zero emissions. Connecting directly to power sources onshore allows ship engines to be switched off, eliminating local emissions. Electricity connects to the ship through a specially designed dock transformer, reducing local air emissions and reducing underwater noise and vibrations. All main ports in the European Union will be required to install shoreside electricity by 2030 to allow ships to connect and reduce emissions at port.
Liquefied Natural Gas and Renewable Fuels
Liquefied Natural Gas technology on board enables MSC Cruises to switch at any time to fully renewable liquefied biogas (bio-Liquefied Natural Gas) or synthetic gas (synthetic renewable Liquefied Natural Gas) to reach greenhouse gas emissions reductions of up to 100 per cent
Recycling
Recycling is a fundamental part of running the vessel. The Densifier which compresses aluminium. 18’000 cans turns into 1 pallet (220kg). The glass crusher can turn 7’100 wine bottles into one pallet of 2’500kg.
MARPOL was amended to include the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form.
1992
Requirements to control pollution of the sea by sewage came into force.
2003
New limits on sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ships entered into force.
2005
“We’re not going to reach net-zero without renewable fuels,” says Linden Coppell, Vice President, Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises. Liquified natural gas (LNG) is key to this. A fuel that offers immediate benefits by producing up to 20% less greenhouse gas emissions than Marine Gasoil (MGO). The plan is to transition from fossil-based LNG to renewable alternatives as they become commercially available, as these vessels need no modification for these renewable fuels. Major reductions in nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide are an additional benefit of LNG, vital to addressing local air quality concerns in and around ports.
Two new MSC Cruises ships, MSC Euribia and MSC World Europa, can use LNG as a fuel using the latest engine technology. Three LNG ships will be added to the fleet between 2025 and 2027.
The potential of these fuels is front of mind for Coppell: “It is really important that we have engines that give us a high level of flexibility
to make this transition to new and better, cleaner, lower carbon-intensive fuels.”
Naturally, a more sustainable future relies on the industry using not just better but less fuel. Innovative tracking tools are helping MSC Cruises decrease energy use onboard its cruise ships. “It’s really important that we are being as energy efficient as we can,” says Coppell. “Not least because many newer fuels simply don't have the same energy per volume as conventional liquid fuel, so we'll need to carry more.”