MSC orders more dual-fuel cruise ships with fuel cells

This takes the total fleet number from four to six vessels.

Explora V and VI will also be equipped with a containment system for liquid hydrogen that will power a 6MW fuel cell to produce emissions-free power for hotel operations. It will also allow the vessels to operate in port with zero emissions.

The two newbuilds will come into service in 2027 and 2028, respectively.

Explora Journeys also said that the previously announced vessels Explora III and Explora IV will now be powered by LNG. The two ships will be enlarged by 19 metres to enable the installation of a new generation system based on LNG and hydrogen. This has provided an opportunity to enhance the mix of suites with an increased number of spacious and luxurious Ocean Residences and larger public spaces.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, said, “Explora Journeys is building ships for tomorrow, utilising today’s latest technologies and being ready to adapt to alternative energy solutions as they become available. The announcement today marks another significant step forward in our goal as a business to reach net zero emissions by 2050 across all our cruise operation for the two brands and a further proof of our commitment to invest in the most advanced marine environmental technologies available to develop sustainable solutions for the future. This transition to zero emissions operations for the maritime industry is the biggest challenge that we will ever face, and this will only be achieved by everyone playing their part – by investing in research and development and through significant investment both by companies but also governments.”

The two additional ships will bring Explora Journeys’ investment in its fleet to €3.5 billion. This includes an additional €120 million each for fitting Explora III and IV with LNG engines, a change that required a temporary halt of work due to the significant redesign of the ships, which will now be delivered in 2026 and 2027.

All six ships in Explora Journeys’ fleet will be equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies and will also feature the latest selective catalytic reduction technology to reduce NOx emissions by 90%, be equipped with shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce emissions in port, and fitted with underwater noise management systems to help protect marine life.

In December 2021, MSC Group announced that the new cruise liner MSC World Europa will include solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology from Bloom Energy. The vessel, under construction at the CdA shipyard, will be fitted with 150 kilowatts of Bloom fuel cells. Bloom will provide auxiliary power to the ship through LNG.

Bloom’s fuel-flexible platform is designed to generate electricity 20 to 30% more efficiently through a non-combustion electrochemical process when utilizing LNG compared to traditional marine combustion-based propulsion and auxiliary engines. When running on LNG, Bloom Energy’s technology reduces carbon equivalent emissions up to 60% compared to incumbent propulsion sources, such as dual fuel diesel electric, and emits virtually zero harmful air pollutants.

Sea trials for the MSC World Europa are expected to commence in the second half of 2022. Larger fuel cell installations are anticipated on additional ships in collaboration with CdA in the future.