MSC Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise operator, and Nordic energy company Gasum have agreed to cooperate on the supply of synthetic e-LNG made with renewable energy, with the aim to achieve net zero emissions goal by 2050.
The two companies have executed a Letter of Intent for securing MSC access to liquefied synthetic gas, or e-LNG, which is produced using hydrogen, created by hydrolysis with renewable energy and captured CO2.
Gasum and MSC Cruises are together creating an actionable roadmap for cutting emissions in MSC’s cruise operations with sizeable volumes of several thousand tons of e-LNG starting in 2026.
The two partners have also sealed a long-term deal on the delivery of liquefied natural gas, LNG, to MSC’s new flagship MSC Euribia.
As the company claims MSC Euribia will achieve an IMO Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) 55% better than currently required, and she is expected to be the “best-performing cruise ship in the world at the time of her launch.”
“MSC Euribia will emit up to 44% less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger per day than ships built only 10 years ago,” MSC Group said in a statement.
Linden Coppell, Vice President of Sustainability and ESG for MSC Cruises, said that “securing a reliable supply of LNG and e-LNG is of critical importance to our decarbonisation efforts. Partnering with Gasum will enable us to access new and cleaner fuels needed to make net zero cruising a reality. We need more suppliers like Gasum to step up and support our industry with its environmental targets.”
