MSC Euribia, MSC Cruises’ newest ship, arrived at the port of Zeebrugge for the first time on 11 October. This is the most energy efficient large cruise ship at the moment. The ship is powered by liquefied natural gas and features a wide range of technologies and solutions that reduce the impact on the atmosphere and marine environment.
MSC Euripia, MSC Cruises’ newest flagship, was christened on June 8 in Copenhagen and sailed via Rotterdam to Zeebrugge. She is the most energy-efficient cruise ship ever designed, and the second ship in the MSC Cruises fleet to be powered by LNG, the cleanest marine fuel currently widely available. MSC Euripia It is also equipped with advanced environmental technologies, including advanced wastewater treatment and waste management systems.
Sustainability
MSC Euripia It is designed for the future, with the ability to easily incorporate future innovations in sustainability, such as carbon-neutral synthetic fuels and other alternative fuels, once they become widely available.
MSC Cruises’ newest ship will set sail on the famous ‘Pearl of the North’ route this winter. Guests from the Netherlands and Belgium/Luxembourg will be able to enjoy this exceptional new ship and route by cruising close to home. Sailing route: Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre (France), Southampton (UK) and Hamburg (Germany). During the winter period MSC Euripia It was practiced weekly in these ports.
Beach power
According to Piet Vandenkerkhove, Cruise Account Manager at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, like MSC Euribia, is strongly focused on the future and that is why we are committed to a sustainable future. For example, we will provide shore power in Zeebrugge from 2026 so that cruise ships can be docked without emissions.
“We will also use an electric bus for the in-port shuttle service between the ship and the terminal building from the fall of 2023 to carry passengers without emissions. For Belgians, who are not yet accustomed to cruises, MSC offers a unique opportunity to cruise close to home and thus get to know this unique way of traveling at affordable prices.” Very reasonable.
Boarding port
Dirk de Fauw, Mayor of Bruges and Vice-President of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, emphasizes that Zeebrugge is not only an important center for commercial freight transportation: “It is also a popular port of call for cruise ships with a route in Western Europe or for small cruises from Great Britain or for crossings into the fjords.” Norwegian and Baltic Sea.
“The arrival of MSC Euribia is a good confirmation of this. An added advantage is that residents of Bruges and people from the areas surrounding our city can start a wonderful cruise in our cruise port. It has always been the intention to make Zeebrugge a cruise port.
buzz
Frank van den Steen, Director of Benelux MSC Cruises, is very excited: “The cruise departing from Rotterdam is truly unique and we are very proud that one of our most beautiful, modern and advanced ships is coming our way! This ship has been creating a sensation for months and its arrival is awaited with great interest.” .
“With this unique ship, you can visit neighboring countries for a week, sail the sea and enjoy an ideal range of facilities, entertainment and culinary discoveries at the same time: ideal for taking a break this winter. As a couple, with the whole family or with friends.
From 2026
MSC Cruises revealed in June this year that it would be expanding its shore energy plan. The new onshore capacity plan for 2024-2026 includes at least five Italian ports: Barcelona and Valencia in Spain, Stavanger and Norfjord in Norway, Miami in the United States, Copenhagen in Denmark, Marseille in France, Valletta in Malta, and Stockholm in Sweden. Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Shore power will also be available in Zeebrugge from 2026.
The company plans to allow its ships to take full advantage of shore power supplies at all other ports in which it operates in Europe and the rest of the world when it is made available. By using shore power, the ship’s engine no longer needs to run, and the ship’s emissions in port are significantly reduced.
MSC Cruises ships have successfully used shore power in the ports of Southampton, UK, and Kristiansand, Norway, since February 2023 and the company will later test the facilities in the Norwegian port of Haugesund. Further European tests are scheduled this year for a number of MSC Cruises ships in Bergen, Alesund in Norway and Warnemünde in Germany.
MSC Cruises will also use shore power in the German ports of Hamburg this winter and in the summer of 2024.
note
MSC Cruises signed a memorandum of understanding with Cruise Baltic last year for shore energy in the Baltic Sea region. Cruise Baltic has 32 ports and destinations in the region that would like to increase the number of coastal energy facilities.
Shore power facilities have been standard on all new MSC Cruises ships since 2017, and with modifications made to other ships, 67 percent of MSC Cruises’ total capacity is equipped with this technology. More ships will be upgraded and modernized if ports introduce shore power on their sailing routes.
