MSC Cruises to develop ‘wind-powered’ ship class

The line signed construction contracts for a third and fourth LNG-powered World Class ships with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique today (20 January) at Matignon Palace, the French prime minister’s official residence.

The first of the initial two World Class ships in the series is currently under construction in Saint-Nazaire and is due to enter service in 2022.

At a gross tonnage of 205,000, MSC’s first World Class ship will become the biggest vessel operated by a European cruise line, as well as the first LNG-powered cruise ship built in France.

The new additions will be delivered in 2025 and 2027.

MSC Cruises has also announced two further projects with Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop more LNG-powered cruise ships with the project focusing on developing emerging environmental technologies.

MSC, which currently has a fleet of 17 ships, said the creation of four vessels in this new class would represent a capital investment “exceeding €4 billion”.