The future is already here. The first cruise ship with 0 emissions starts its journey.

MSC Euribia will sail its first zero-emission route, proving that zero-emission cruising is possible today.

MSC Cruises’ new flagship, named MSC Euribia, is ready to embark on its first voyage emitting zero net greenhouse gas emissions. It will set sail on 3 June from the French port of Saint-Nazaire with a planned sailing of four days, arriving in Copenhagen on 7 June.

MSC Euribia will thus be the first ship of its kind to make a zero greenhouse gas emissions voyage, demonstrating that sustainable cruising is possible for cruise ships and that the journey to decarbonisation is well on its way.

The cruise line has purchased 400 tonnes of BIO-GNL to show its commitment to renewable fuels and energy transition measures towards zero CO2 emission voyages.

BIO-LNG is a type of non-fossil fuel that is produced through a process in which biogas from organic waste such as animal manure, food waste and sludge is converted into high quality biomethane and liquefied at -162ºc. Its potential as a fuel is such that it is considered to be the fuel of the future, replacing diesel.

In this way, MSC Cruises consolidates its position as the first cruise company to acquire BIO-GNL as a fuel source, thus starting a life cycle with a significant reduction of harmful emissions. This initiative sends a clear signal to the maritime sector of the possibility of broadening horizons and making the switch to new energy sources and cleaner fuels.

Net zero navigation plans to use BIO-LNG by means of a mass balance system, which is so far considered to be the most environmentally efficient way to reap the benefits of renewable biogas. The entire supply chain has to comply with the EU renewable energy directive and each batch of fuel produced has to be certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification.

To embark on this zero emission journey, MSC Cruises has been advised by the Finnish energy company Gasum OY, a leading producer of biogas and the largest processor of biodegradable waste fractions in the Nordic countries. In addition to that, on this first voyage they will have both in-house and external energy efficiency specialists on board to monitor and optimise all technical aspects of the voyage.

MSC Cruises’ newbuildings are flexible in terms of fuel, as they can be adapted to different types of renewable energy. As well as considering existing energy sources, it is also thinking about those that are expected to emerge in the coming years. The use of BIO-LNG means a reduction of up to 20% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fuels within the maritime industry and eliminates a large amount of sulphur oxide and particulate emissions in addition to the 85% reduction of nitrogen oxides.

Enrique Oliver, CEO of Verlio Group said: “As one of the leading companies in the logistics and shipping sector, and especially as MSC Agents for more than 40 years, we are very pleased and proud of the initiative taken by MSC Cruises in terms of energy transition, an initiative that is being followed by many other companies and the cruise industry in general towards a more sustainable shipping. The future is already here, we have the technology, we have the will, we are taking steps and we just need to get up to speed.