MSC’s Journey Towards Net-Zero Emissions By 2050
Having made the pledge in 2021 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, MSC Cruises is continuously exploring and investing in new technologies that are helping to decarbonize, some with very promising results.
On this journey, minimising the impact of cruises ships on port communities and their environment while berthed is key.
Shore power plays a role to this end; it enables ships to turn off their engines and connect to local electric power to run their onboard systems. With electricity travelling to the ship through a specially designed transformer at the dock, this process prevents emissions produced from diesel generators, improving local air quality as well as reducing noise and vibration levels.
The environment and the surrounding communities thus directly benefit from shore power technology. Following significant investments in its fleet capabilities, MSC Cruises has announced today concrete steps and commitments to adopt and accelerate the use of shore power.
An ambitious agreement with Cruise Baltic
On 5 April 2022, Cruise Baltic and MSC Cruises entered a Memorandum of Understanding concerning their joint efforts to contribute to use of shore power supply in the Baltic Sea Region. The MoU, signed in acknowledgement of the importance of reducing man-made air pollution, highlights a mutual desire to contribute to improving the cruise industry’s environmental impact.
Cruise Baltic includes 32 ports and destinations in the Baltic Sea Region. By signing the agreement, Cruise Baltic commits to work for shore power supply facilities in the region with the aim of increasing the number of facilities in the Baltic Sea. To uphold its end, MSC Cruises commits to ensure that cruise ships regularly calling to the respective ports in the Baltic Sea Region use the shore power supply if available, as soon as possible, and no later than from 1 January 2024.
