The two ships – temporarily named World Class 3 and World Class 4 – will be delivered in 2026 and 2027, respectively. 

The line claims the first and second World-class ships, MSC World Europa and MSC World America (pictured), are the “most energy efficient ships in the industry”. 

MSC World Europa launched in November 2022 and was the line’s first LNG-powered ship, while MSC World America will start cruising in spring 2025. 

LNG is the world’s cleanest marine fuel available at scale today and “is set to play a key role in the transition to the decarbonisation of international shipping”, MSC said.

World Class 3 and World Class 4 will be able to use a mix of alternative fuels, including bio and synthetic methane, and green methanol. 

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises executive chair, said: “We are proud to continue our 20-year partnership with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique with whom we have already built 18 ships with our 19th under construction. 

“Together we are building some of the most advanced ships in the world. We are committed to researching and investing in future environmental technologies as they become available, to ensure we continue progressing on our decarbonisation journey to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”