MSC World Europa inaugurates first shore power facility in the Mediterranean Sea, marking a significant milestone in their commitment to environmental sustainability. The ceremony, held aboard MSC World Europa in Valletta, showcased the ship’s ability to connect to Valletta’s local power grid, allowing it to operate emissions-free while docked.
H.E Malta’s Prime Minister, Robert Abela, toured MSC World Europa in Valletta as the ship officially inaugurated the port’s shore power facility, the first operational one in the Mediterranean Sea.
Valletta’s local power grid supplied electricity for all operations of MSC World Europa while the ship was berthed, allowing all engines to be switched off and eliminating the vessel’s direct emissions at the port to improve local air quality.
The Prime Minister was guided around the 22-deck LNG-powered ship by the Master of MSC World Europa, Captain Stefano Battinelli. Mr. Abela and other Maltese government officials also received a presentation from Michele Francioni, MSC Cruises’ Chief Energy Transition Officer, on the line’s strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 for its marine operations.
The vessel is operating 7-night cruises throughout 2024 and 2025 between Malta, Spain, France, and Italy.
Michele Francioni, Chief Energy Transition Officer at MSC Cruises, commented, “Shore power is a critical element of our ongoing commitment to decarbonization. Most of our fleet is equipped to eliminate local emissions and improve local air quality when berthed, by powering operations with shoreside electricity.”
“It was an honor to show the Prime Minister of Malta how his country has pioneered shore power in the Mediterranean Sea, a key market for our cruise holidays. We anticipate many more ports in the region and worldwide will adopt this technology, further reducing local emissions in ports.”
By the end of 2024, MSC Cruises aims to have 16 of its 22 vessels equipped to receive shoreside electricity at ports, with 220 shore power connections planned across destinations in China, Norway, Germany, the UK, and Malta. As more ports adopt shore power, MSC Cruises will increasingly use local electricity grids.
MSC Cruises plans to add at least 15 new ports to its shore power program between 2024 and 2026, including Barcelona, Hamburg, Valencia, Marseille, Copenhagen, and five ports in Italy: Genoa, La Spezia, Civitavecchia, Naples, and Trieste, along with the company’s new cruise terminal in Miami, set to be fully operational next year.
MSC Cruises has structured its strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 for its marine operations around three main pillars: ship and engine technology – including shore power connectivity – operational efficiency, and the use of renewable fuels.
MSC World Europa Inaugural Shore Power at Valletta
Source MSC Cruises