LNG, power connections, desalination shore up MSC's sustainability report

Achieving net zero emissions requires a collaborative approach across the value chain. This is according to Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairperson, MSC Group’s Cruise division.

He was commenting on the publication of MSC Cruises 2023 Sustainability Report, which covers data on a fleet of 22 ships carrying 4,081,393 guests, sailing 385 itineraries to 102 countries and 2,150 shore excursions.

“We began publishing an annual sustainability report in 2019, making this our fifth report,” he said.

“We remain fully committed to our goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in line with the International Maritime Organisation’s strategy but achieving net zero emissions cannot be done alone. We continue to work extensively with our close partners including the shipyards, technology providers, fuel providers and many others and I am pleased with the progress we as an industry are making. We continue to advocate to be regulated in a fair way, which does not discriminate against our industry,” he added.

Metrics noted in the report include:

Fleet carbon intensity improved by 6.5 per cent compared to 2022, marking a 37.8 percent reduction since 2008. The progress puts the line on track to achieve the IMO’s target of a 40 percent carbon intensity reduction before its 2030 deadline.
Second liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered vessel launched, MSC Euribia, with a net zero GHG emissions voyage from France to Denmark.
44 successful shore power connections, for the line’s ships at eight ports in Norway, Germany, UK and Malta. Shore power allows ships to plug into a port’s electrical grid at berth and shut down the vessel’s engines to eliminate direct emissions when in port. The 2024 year-end target is 220 connections.
Freshwater management produced 87.2 percent of the fleet’s onboard water needs – more than 6.4 million cubic metres – through desalination. Using water more efficiently resulted in a reduction of onboard water consumption from 226 litres per guest day in 2022 to 187 litres in 2023, a reduction of 17.2 per cent.
A collaborative effort with NatureMetrics to analyse seawater samples from three vessels, identifying more than 4,000 different animal species using DNA identification techniques, with results being made available to the scientific community. The project has global reach with the data contributing to the eBioAtlas.

MSC Cruises had 49,874 employees during the period under review, with 18,866 new crew hires during the year.