Both GAIL and Petronet have issued several tenders to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) last week for deliveries in May and June. Sector analysts believe the underutilised gas-based power plants will be used to fill any shortage.

“Idea is to improve the energy generation so as to meet the spike in the energy demand that we are anticipating because of the heat wave… You may see some improvement in capacity utilisation of gas-based power plants.

“To meet the peak deficit, respective utilities can tap this (gas) power on high price day ahead basis from the power exchange market,” said Girishkumar Kadam, senior vice president and co-group head, ICRA.

India’s electricity demand saw an all-time of 218 GW last week on April 18, of which the power sector could meet record demand of 216 GW, leaving a deficit of 2,021 MW. Last year, the highest demand met was 212 GW on June 10.

Gas-based power plants of NTPC Ltd, India’s largest power producer, are all set to start power production when required, an official said. NTPC has 6,511 MW of gas-based power capacity and has assured gas supply from GAIL.

While NTPC is directed by the ministry of power to run 5,000 MW gas-based power stations during the crunch period, its subsidiary NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd will procure 4,000 MW gas power from other state-run plants.

There are more than 60 gas-based power plants in the country with a total capacity of about 25 GW, which is slightly above 6% of India’s total installed power generation capacity. The government wants the share to rise to 15%.

However, 28 gas-based plants with about 10 GW capacity had zero generation and the overall plant load factor (PLF) of all gas-based power plants was below 15% in FY23 due to lack of domestic gas and high price of imported gas.

With barely half of the current gas consumption coming from local production, which mostly feeds the fertilizer sector and city gas distributors, dependence on gas-based power plants can only be interim and not a long term solution.

“Gas-based power plants can only provide temporary relief during the summer months. Imported gas is not favourable in terms of cost economics,” said Kadam.

https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/gas-based-power-plants-ready-to-meet-peak-demand/3059337/

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“This delivery enables the gradual commissioning of the terminal, which is expected to start commercial operations at the end of May 2023”, the French energy giant said in a press release.

TotalEnergies has acquired the Dhamra facility and other Adani Group assets in a partnership deal it announced 2019. Adani Total Pvt. Ltd., a 50-50 venture between TotalEnergies and Adani Group, operates the terminal on the east coast of India.

While the Dhamra project has progressed toward startup, TotalEnergies earlier said it had paused a transaction to buy an interest in Adani New Industries Limited following allegations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud against Adani Group.

“With regasification capacity of 5 million metric tons of LNG per year, the Dhamra LNG terminal adds more than 10% to India’s regasification capacity, strengthening the country’s position as the world’s fifth largest LNG importer and allowing it to increase the share of natural gas in its energy mix from 8% to 15% by 2030 to reduce its carbon intensity”, said Monday’s announcement of the consignment from Qatar.

Thomas Maurisse, TotalEnergies senior vice-president for LNG, commented, “India wants to develop the use of natural gas to reduce the carbon intensity of its energy mix by replacing coal, and LNG can therefore meet growing domestic demand”.

The partnership with Adani Group that TotalEnergies unveiled 2019 involves two LNG depots and Adani Gas Ltd., “one of the 4 main distributors of city gas in India of which Adani holds 74.8% and of which Total will acquire 37.4%”, the Paris-based company said in a news release October 14, 2019. TotalEnergies will supply LNG to Adani Gas, now Adani Total Gas, as part of the deal. A joint venture with Adani Group is also planned to market LNG in India and Bangladesh.

The acquisitions amounted to a net cost for TotalEnergies of around $600 million over 2019 and 2020, TotalEnergies said in the partnership announcement.

Adani Troubles

TotalEnergies and Adani Group broadened their relationship in 2020 with the former acquiring a 20 percent minority interest in Adani Green Energy Ltd. (AGEL23) and a 50 percent stake in AGEL’S solar assets.

But TotalEnergies said it was delaying its purchase of a 25 percent interest in Adani New Industries Ltd., after India’s Supreme Court ordered an investigation into Adani Group over revelations by Hindenburg Research.

USA-based Hindenburg Research, which describes its work as “forensic financial research”, published January 24 what it said were the results of a two-year probe in which it found Adani Group “has engaged in a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades”.

Adani Group said the report by Hindenburg Research was “unsubstantiated”. It said in a January 26 statement it was examining remedial and punitive options under Indian and USA laws.

An article by French newspaper Le Monde published March 23 stated that Hindenburg Research founder Nathan Anderson “believes TotalEnergies has ‘at best turned a blind eye, and at worst, been complicit’ to the ‘issues’ of Adani Group in connection with the manipulation of the share price of two of its subsidiaries”.

TotalEnergies dismissed the French report. It said in a statement the same day, “TotalEnergies invested in Adani Gas to develop our LNG sales in India, not to generate stock market gains. The share price trend was therefore never a consideration for TotalEnergies, and it had no impact on the strategy or financial performance of Adani Gas, since the company did not issue any new shares” when TotalEnergies bought a 37.4 percent interest in Adani Gas in 2019.

TotalEnergies earlier said in a statement February 3 its assets in Adani Group businesses represented only $3.1 billion or 2.4 percent of the French company’s employed capital as of year-end 2022.

TotalEnergies said Adani Group’s difficulties posted no reason for the former to “halt assets in production or projects under construction” in India.

“Our investment in India is industrial, not financial”, it insisted in its reply to Le Monde.

https://www.rigzone.com/news/indias_dhamra_lng_terminal_receives_first_cargo-18-apr-2023-172562-article/

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The challenging task of laying a 24-inch diameter hydrocarbon pipeline beneath the mighty Brahmaputra river by Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) method was completed on Friday, marking the completion of a major milestone in the construction of the North East Gas Grid (NEGG) connecting North East India to the National Gas Grid.

The total length of the pipeline in this single HDD crossing is 4,080 metre across the main water channel of Brahmaputra river.

This is the longest river crossing by any hydrocarbon pipeline of size 24-inch diameter and above in Asia and the second longest in the world, he claimed.This one of a kind HDD river crossing was executed by intersection method, where two HDD rigs simultaneously started drilling from the two sides of Brahmaputra with intersection of the two drilling heads in the middle at 30 metre beneath the river bed.

The laying of 4,080 metre pipeline section was completed by overcoming numerous hurdles faced mainly due to monsoon rains and flood, he said.

The total length of HDD crossing across the Brahmaputra river considering all major and minor water channels is 5,780 metre.

The pipeline was laid in three separate HDD sections of length 1000 M, 4080 M and 700 M with the first and the third sections completed earlier.

The next step will be tie-in of the three sections at two points, which will be located at 15 M and 8 M below Natural Ground Level (NGL).

“With the completion of the Brahmaputra HDD, IGGL has achieved more than 71 per cent physical progress of the NEGG Project and will be able to complete the Guwahati-Numaligarh section of the project by February 2024”, Thakur said.

He thanked the Assam government for being extremely supportive in implementing the project.

Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited, is a joint venture company of five major Oil PSUs – IOCL, ONGC, GAIL, OIL and NRL. It is implementing the North East Gas Grid Project connecting the major cities and demand centres of North East India with the National Gas Grid.

The 1656 km long natural gas pipeline is constructed at a project cost of Rs 9,265 crore.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/iggl-completes-asias-largest-underwater-hydrocarbon-pipeline-across-brahmaputra-ceo/articleshow/99686567.cms?from=mdr

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The Energy Department reaffirmed a Trump-era decision to allow a company called Alaska LNG to export liquified natural gas (LNG) produced in the state to countries with which the U.S. doesn’t have a free trade agreement.

The department had previously agreed to a request from the Sierra Club to conduct further study of the project’s environmental impacts, saying that it would either reaffirm, alter or “set-aside” the Trump-era order.

It ultimately found, however, that the environmental impacts it identified “are not sufficient” to change the past determination approving the exports.

But it does add an environmental stipulation: Alaska LNG will have to certify every month that it did not use a practice called venting in which excess gas is released into the air and contributes to climate change.

In a statement, the department characterized its move as “amending a 2020 decision to impose new environmental requirements.”

But the reaffirmation still rankled both environmental advocates and congressional progressives.

“Allowing LNG exports is yet another way @POTUS is putting our kids’ futures in jeopardy,” tweeted Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.)

“The recent choices of this administration have been reckless, irresponsible, and uninformed. Our kids deserve a livable future and you are throwing it away.”

It comes after the Biden administration last month approved the Willow Project – which will allow ConocoPhillips to drill for 576 million barrels of oil in Alaska over a 30-year period.

“This is not the climate presidency that Joe Biden promised,” said Lukas Ross, program manager at Friends of the Earth. “Does the administration intend to rubber stamp a carbon bomb every month?”

Last year, the Biden administration also expanded LNG exports to Europe as part of an effort to counter Russia, the world’s second largest producer of natural gas.

https://www.aol.com/pro-desantis-pac-drops-ad-030440329.html

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Eesti Gaas, the largest privately owned energy company in the Baltic and Finnish region, signed an agreement on Friday.

The transaction is subject to approval from the Latvian Competition Authority and permission from the Latvian government, as Gaso is considered a strategic asset.

The Latvian gas network is almost four times larger than Estonia’s, serving about 400,000 consumers, Ain Hanschmidt, chairman of the board of Eesti Gaas, said in a statement.

“We see a future in gas and know how to do this business and grow it. We hope that we can share our experience as a gas network operator and that the change of ownership will help the company continue to grow and provide the best service to Latvian gas consumers,” he said.

“Like the rest of Europe, we see gas playing an important role as a transition fuel and a supporter of renewable energy. The prospect of gas use encourages us to invest in gas networks – we have signed the agreement and are waiting for the decision of the Latvian government,” Hanschmidt added.

Eesti Gaas operates in Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland under the Elenger brand.

Eesti Gaas provides natural gas to customers in the form of pipeline gas, compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and manages the largest gas network in Estonia.  

https://news.err.ee/1608948701/eesti-gaas-signs-agreement-to-buy-latvian-gas-network

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Energy companies operating in Australia are rattled by last year’s cap on domestic gas prices, which has already led to at least one investment project being put on hold. The cap, introduced in December, was initially intended to last until the end of 2023 as a measure to curb spiking gas prices.   

Now the government plans to extend the cap through the middle of 2025, exempting small producers from the price cap if they supply gas only to the domestic market. Larger producers can also be exempted from the price cap if they make supply commitments to provide enough natural gas for the domestic market.   

The government’s draft proposal, the so-called Gas Code, is now open for consultation until May 12, 2023.  

“The Gas Code will ensure sufficient supply of Australian gas for Australian users at reasonable prices, give producers the certainty they need to invest in supply, and  LNG producers to meet their export commitments,” the government said. 

Still, Australia’s main energy trade partners and allies are increasingly concerned about the latest proposals for energy market interventions in Australia, which could also undermine new investment plans in Australian natural gas and other energy resources. Earlier this year, the Australian government proposed reforms to the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM), “to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of natural gas to meet the forecast needs of Australian gas consumers by controlling, if necessary, LNG exports.”   

The imposition of a gas price cap and the proposal that the government has a say in LNG export volumes could be challenged by foreign investors, global law firm White & Case warned in February.

“The imposition of such measures is not without risk for Australia, which is a signatory to several investment treaties where key LNG companies are incorporated,” White & Case says. 

https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Australia-Plans-To-Extend-Natural-Gas-Price-Cap-To-2025.html

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To accomplish this, it has been reported that Qatar has secured booking slots at all of the major South Korean shipbuilding yards over the next five years, for orders of around 100 new carriers.

The cost of newbuild LNG carriers has increased in excess of $250m, which is around $20m more than the average price during 2021. This increasing cost in recent years has been attributed to rising expenses related to construction materials, mainly steel, as well as shortages in the number of available shipyards, the report further said.

It added, concerning this point, it has led to vessel owners exploring other options outside the traditional world-leading shipyards for newbuild orders. In particular, with the Hyundai, Daewoo, and Samsung shipyards of South Korea becoming fully booked until after 2025, manufacturers in China are growing in importance, already securing at least 36 of the vessels on the orderbook for orders, which the ownership details are already known.

In 2022, the number of LNG cargoes traded globally reached 6,210, increasing 2 percent over the total number of shipments in 2021. This continued the trend of more cargoes being traded annually in each of the past five years, except during the initial breakout of the pandemic in 2020. Compared with 2021, the number of LNG shipments per month was greater for most of 2022; over the year, the monthly average number of cargoes was 518 compared with 506 in 2021.

For the fourth consecutive year, Australia delivered the highest number of LNG cargoes. In 2022, just as in 2021, the US, Qatar, Russia, and Malaysia completed the top five exporters by number of shipments. The US also had the highest increase in number of cargoes, recording an additional 81 more shipments in 2022 than in 2021.

The second highest increase was attributed to Norway, which loaded 49 cargoes from the restarted Hammerfest LNG terminal since June 2022. GECF Countries Equatorial Guinea and Peru registered the largest percentage increases in cargo exports in 2022, with 32% and 21%, respectively. In addition, another GECF Country, Mozambique, joined the league of LNG exporters with three loadings from the Coral South FLNG terminal at the end of 2022.

The increasing trend in global LNG shipments is expected to continue in 2023 as per the overall growth in LNG demand. Furthermore, LNG shipping would be boosted by the restart of the Freeport LNG plant in the US, and increased cargo imports in Europe and Asia Pacific. However, the LNG shipping market may experience tightness due to new IMO regulations in 2023 and further ahead.

At the end of 2022, the global LNG carrier fleet stood at 677 vessels. Although the total has gradually increased, only 28 new vessels were commissioned in 2022. This represented growth of 4 percent, which was the lowest increase since 2013. As observed in the recent historical trend since 2010, the years in which there is a sharp increase in the fleet growth rate are typically followed by a drop in the subsequent year, the annual report noted.

Accordingly, this was repeated in 2022, with just over 4,600,000 cubic metres of LNG carrier capacity entering into service, merely half of the capacity commissioned in 2021.

© Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing & Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

https://www.zawya.com/en/business/energy/qatar-embarking-on-significant-wave-of-lng-fleet-expansion-l3gv65ux

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Patrick Pourbaix, Managing Director of MSC Cruises in France, said: “This first LNG bunkering operation in Marseille is an important milestone for our company as we welcome MSC World Europa for her first summer season in the Mediterranean. Featuring a range of unprecedented innovations in terms of environmental and marine technologies MSC World Europa represents a major step forward on our journey towards meeting our target of net-zero emissions by 2050. LNG is not only the cleanest marine fuel currently available at scale, but also a transitional fuel as we look ahead to source and use synthetic LNG or other alternative non-carbon fuels as soon as they become available at scale.”

TotalEnergies’ chartered LNG bunker barge, the Gas Vitality, refueled the MSC World Europa with 2 500 m3 of LNG on April 22. This operation marks the beginning of an LNG bunker supply contract between TotalEnergies and the Cruise Division of MSC Group previously announced in March 2021. According to the agreement, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels will supply about 45,000 tons per year of LNG to MSC Cruises’ ships in Marseille.

“We are excited to support the Cruise Division of MSC Group in their decarbonization journey and to help the Port of Marseille Fos become an LNG bunker hub for the Mediterranean region,” said Philippe Charleux, senior vice president of lubricants and specialties, TotalEnergies.

“This operation also expands our LNG bunkering capabilities to the cruise ship segment, demonstrating our ability to serve a broader range of shipping clients, as the industry strives to reduce emissions. In line with TotalEnergies’ Climate ambition, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with our industry partners to develop and scale up new, lower-carbon and ultimately, zero-carbon fuel solutions for shipping.”

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https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/04/totalenergies-and-msc-complete-first-lng-bunkering-operation/

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The two DNV-classed vessels are the first LNG-fuelled bulk carriers to join the MDM fleet.

The 190,000-dwt vessels, registered with the Greek flag, are the first dual-fuelled bulk carriers in the Greek market, and will sail using LNG. The use of LNG will lead to significant reductions in CO2 and NOx, while almost eliminating SOx and particulate matter emissions. With a combination of dual-fuel, hull optimisations and energy efficiency measures, the vessels have a very advantageous and low EEDI rating, much lower than the baseline. 

“Maran Dry Management, as part of the Angelicoussis Group, is committed to decarbonisation and embraces sustainability initiatives to optimise its fleet environmental performance”, said Captain Babis Kouvakas, Managing Director at Maran Dry Management Inc. (MDM). 

“We are delighted to have collaborated with DNV and SWS on the design and development of these modern and environmentally friendly ships. Both vessels incorporate the latest technology, aiming to reduce carbon emissions.”

“We are very pleased to have been involved with the charterer, owner, yard and designers from the outset of this project,” said Morten Løvstad, Vice President and Global Business Director for Bulk Carriers, DNV Maritime. 

“These highly efficient and innovative vessels, with dual-fuel engines, and an optimised hull design, show MDM’s commitment to meeting environmental regulations not just today but over the long term.”  

The vessels are 299.80 metres long, 47.5 metres wide and 24.70 metres deep, with a design draft of 18.25 metres and a design draft speed of 14 knots. They can use both LNG and conventional fuel and are equipped with two type-C LNG fuel tanks. 

The capacity of the LNG tanks means that the vessels could operate for 20,000 nautical miles powered by gas, allowing the vessels to complete two round-trip routes from China to Australia or one round-trip route from China to Brazil. 

“The delivery of these vessels is another milestone in the close cooperation being forged between the Angelicoussis Group and DNV,” said Ioannis Chiotopoulos, Senior Vice President, and Regional Manager South East Europe, Middle East and Africa, DNV Maritime. 

“These new vessels clearly show the Group`s commitment to driving sustainability in the bulk segment, and are great examples of how the maritime community is taking up the challenge of reducing our environmental footprint through innovation. We thank MDM for their trust and welcome Ubuntu Unity and Ubuntu Community to DNV class. May they enjoy smooth sailing for many years to come.” 

The Ubuntu vessels are on charter to global mining company Anglo American.

https://www.manifoldtimes.com/news/maran-dry-takes-delivery-of-lng-fuelled-bulk-carriers-with-dnv-class-from-sws/

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MSC World Europa is also among the first contemporary cruise ships to incorporate fuel cell technology, with tests showing very promising results. MSC World Europa offers 7-night cruises calling the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain, and Marseille in France.

MSC Cruises’ innovative new ship—MSC World Europa—is starting her first summer season in the Mediterranean after arriving from the Arabian Gulf this week. The ship became MSC Cruises’ largest and the company’s first powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), when French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique delivered her in October 2022. MSC World Europa is the world’s highest-performing large cruise ship regarding CO2eq emissions per passenger.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President of MSC Cruises USA, said: “Our guests from the U.S. have been thrilled to cruise on board MSC World Europa during her inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf, and many more of them are flocking to Europe as she starts her first summer season in the Mediterranean. This groundbreaking ship exemplifies our unwavering commitment to sustainable cruising. MSC World Europa’s innovative environmental and marine technologies represent a major step forward on our journey towards meeting our net-zero emissions target by 2050, and it offers a glimpse at our future in the U.S. as we move toward bringing MSC World America into service in 2025.”  

MSC World Europa will be powered by LNG throughout the summer, with her first bunkering in Marseille scheduled on April 15, 2023. LNG is the cleanest marine fuel currently available at scale. Compared to standard marine fuels, LNG eliminates local air pollutant emissions—including sulfur oxides and fine particles—and reduces nitrogen oxides by up to 85 percent.

LNG also plays a key role in climate change mitigation as it offers up to a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and paves the way for the uptake of sustainable non-fossil fuels such as bio and synthetic LNG.

Unique fuel cell technology showing promising results

MSC World Europa is the world’s first contemporary cruise ship to feature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology powered by LNG. The ship includes a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator that uses LNG to efficiently produce electricity and heat on board using an electrochemical reaction, which could be a key to unlocking significant environmental sustainability gains in the future. Thanks to this increased efficiency, SOFC has the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with a conventional LNG engine without producing nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide or fine particle emissions.  In addition to being compatible with LNG, the cell is compatible with potential low carbon fuels like green methanol, ammonia, liquid hydrogen and bio or synthetic LNG.  

Linden Coppell, Vice President of Sustainability & ESG at MSC Cruises, said: “Nearly six months into testing, the fuel cell performance has been excellent, and we haven’t seen any signs of safety or maintenance issues. The efficiency to date—measured in terms of the energy we can generate from the same unit of fuel – is well above that of an internal combustion engine and has exceeded our expectations. We have operated the system continually and it has delivered a steady output even better than our forecast 150-kilowatt return. Obviously, this is a small fraction of the energy we need but we are confident that the system can be scaled up on future newbuilds. We recognize that this will requires close collaboration with partners across and outside of our industry, which is why MSC Cruises is actively involved in several different research initiatives and partnerships that all share the common objective of accelerating the transition toward a net-zero future.”

A range of other environmental features

MSC World Europa is equipped with shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce carbon emissions in port, as well as an advanced wastewater treatment system (AWTS) that meets the world’s highest regulatory requirements, including the so-called Baltic standard. It treats all wastewater produced onboard to near tap water standards. The ship also includes a ballast water treatment system that prevents introducing invasive species in the marine environment through ballast water discharges, in full compliance with IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention.

The vessel has an entire team dedicated to implementing strict waste management protocols which separate all wastes into seven distinct types (i.e. glass, aluminum and paper) with specialized equipment to crush or bundle each type in the ship’s waste management facility.

MSC World Europa also features an underwater radiated noise management system to minimize disturbance to marine life, along with a comprehensive range of energy efficient equipment onboard to optimize engine use and hotel energy needs and further reduce emissions. It is fitted with enhanced automatic data collection systems for remote energy monitoring and analysis, allowing real-time shoreside support to optimize operational efficiency onboard.

Next-generation cruise experience

During this first summer season in the Mediterranean, guests on MSC World Europa will be able to experience the trailblazing ship’s extraordinary features and impressive spaces, including the spectacular World Promenade, immersive restaurants, next-level entertainment options and MSC Cruises’ largest, most action-packed kids’ area. 

THE SPECTACULAR WORLD PROMENADE

The nearly 350-foot-long outdoor World Promenade is one of the ship’s most impressive spaces. Day or night, this is the place to be for entertainment, stunning sea views and The Venom Drop @ The Spiral, a striking architectural masterpiece and the longest dry slide at sea with its 11-deck drop. The World Promenade is connected to the World Galleria, which spans nearly 24,000 square feet and is crowned by an awe-inspiring LED and kinetic dome ceiling. The World Promenade is the perfect place to shop, dine and relax with a drink.

IMMERSIVE CULINARY EXPERIENCES

MSC World Europa takes guests on a gastronomic journey around the world with a choice of 20 bars and lounges, and 13 dining venues—each with its own distinct style and ambiance. This includes six specialty restaurants and seven brand new bar and café concepts.

Chef’s Garden Kitchen is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between MSC Cruises and Michelin-starred chef, TV personality and author Niklas Ekstedt, focusing on natural ingredients and a farm-to-ocean ethos. This new restaurant features the first-at-sea hydroponic garden where guests will be treated to a uniquely immersive experience, with the master chef preparing Ekstedt’s extraordinary creations in an open kitchen against a backdrop of panoramic sea views.

MSC World Europa also features the line’s first onboard microbrewery in partnership with Teo Musso, the founder and brewmaster of Italian craft and farm brewery Birra Baladin.

NEXT-LEVEL ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS

Guests of all ages will be able to enjoy awe-inspiring entertainment from morning to night, including three new concert-style shows in the multipurpose Luna Park Arena, five new full-scale theatre productions in the World Theatre, four themed experiences in the Panorama Lounge, and pop-up live shows throughout the ship.

THE LARGEST, MOST ACTION-PACKED KIDS’ AREA IN MSC CRUISES’ FLEET

MSC World Europa’s children’s area is the largest in the fleet, with more than 8,000 square feet of interior space and seven rooms dedicated to various age groups from 0 to 17 years old, developed in collaboration with LEGO® and Chicco®. Entertainment for children and teenagers includes new and original game and talent show formats across high-tech venues.

ULTIMATE LEISURE AND WELLNESS FACILITIES

With seven swimming pools and 13 hot tubs spread throughout the ship, there is one to suit every type of traveler, whether the aim is to relax and unwind or enjoy thrills and adventure.

ELEGANT AND EXCLUSIVE MSC YACHT CLUB FOR PREMIUM CRUISING

MSC World Europa features the most luxurious MSC Yacht Club yet, offering unparalleled levels of comfort with more public space, expanded outdoor areas, and stylish new suites. The enhanced public spaces include a totally reimagined sundeck set over two decks for the first time, while two brand-new ultra-spacious Owner-Suites join the ‘ship within a ship’ concept with its key-card access exclusivity.

INNOVATIVE NEW ACCOMMODATIONS   

MSC World Europa is as different on the inside as she is on the outside, with all-new cabin designs and the most balcony cabins on any ship in the fleet. Stylish suites in the MSC Yacht Club, new cabins overlooking the outdoor promenade, and Infinite Ocean View staterooms with panoramic sliding windows that open to form a glass balustrade are some of the high-quality, comfortable accommodations available.

MSC World Europa will welcome guests for the summer season in the Mediterranean Sea, giving guests the ultimate Mediterranean cruise experience on 7-night itineraries calling at the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, as well as Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain, and Marseille in France.

For more information about MSC World Europa 

Key figures:

Gross Tonnage – 215,863
Length – 1,094 feet
Width – 154 feet
Height – 223 feet
Passenger cabins – 2,626
Passenger Capacity – 6,762
Engines and fuels:

5 Wärtsilä 14V 46DF engines dual-fuel engines, that can run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and on low-sulphur marine gasoil (MGO)
150-kW solid oxide fuel cell demonstrator
Air Emissions:

Selective catalytic reduction system that reduces NOx emissions by 90% when the ship runs on MGO (LNG offers a similar NOx reduction); MSC World Europa is capable of meeting IMO’s Tier III standards regardless of the fuel it uses. Shore-to-ship power connectivity, allowing the ship to switch off engines at ports where shore-to-ship power infrastructure is available
Wastewater treatment:

Advanced wastewater treatment system complying with the most stringent standards on IMO’s MEPC 227(64) Resolution (the so-called Baltic Standard) Ballast water treatment system with UV treatment to prevent the introduction of invasive species in the marine environment through ballast water discharges, in compliance with IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention Underwater radiated noise management system with hull and engine room designs that minimize acoustic sound impact, reducing their potential effects on marine fauna, most particularly on marine mammals in the surrounding waters.

Energy Efficiency: All MSC Cruises’ newbuilds incorporate a wide range of energy efficient equipment that help reduce and optimize engine use. These include smart ventilation and advanced air conditioning systems with automated energy recovery loops that redistribute heat and cold to reduce demand. The ships use LED lighting throughout the ship controlled by smart management systems to further enhance the energy saving profile. In partnership with the shipyard, MSC World Europa has been designed with an innovative hull shape to minimize resistance through the water and it will be fitted with automatic data collection systems for remote energy monitoring and advanced analysis, allowing real-time shoreside support to optimize operational efficiency onboard.

The Cruise Division of MSC Group, the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has two distinct brands within its structure—the contemporary and luxury brands.

MSC Cruises, the contemporary brand, is the world’s third-largest cruise brand and the market leader in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Southern Africa. It is also the fastest-growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America, and the Far East markets.

Its fleet includes 21 modern ships, combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels, and is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025.

MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about contemporary brand’s itineraries and experience on board its ships, click here.

Meanwhile, the luxury brand, Explora Journeys, is set to start operating in 2023 with a fleet featuring the latest and most advanced environmental and maritime technologies available. The brand’s first ship will have a gross tonnage of 63,900 GT and feature 461 of the largest suites at sea, all with oceanfront terraces. These ships will introduce a broad range of new guest experiences and other activities to the luxury segment, along with generous public spaces ratios and highly innovative designs. For further information about Explora Journeys, click here.

MSC has long been committed to environmental stewardship with a long-term goal of achieving net zero emissions for its operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide. To learn more about the Company’s environmental commitment, click here. 

Finally, to learn more about the MSC Foundation, MSC Group’s vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian, and cultural commitments, click here.

[1] Based on the EEDI index in grams of CO2 per nautical mile and gross tonnage.

https://maritime-executive.com/corporate/msc-lng-world-europa-starts-sailing-the-mediterranean

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