Watch: ‘Sustainably-Fuelled’ MSC World Europa Cruise Ship Dominates Valletta Skyline
The MSC World Europa made its first visit to Valletta’s Grand Harbour this week. The massive ship loomed over Valletta’s bastions, dominating a comparably quaint skyline.
The cruise industry’s “best port of call” welcomed MSC’s first of four commissioned World-Class cruise ships – a mighty vessel registered in Malta and flying a Maltese flag.
This summer season, up to 6,762 passengers at a time will be aboard for cruises running from and back to Malta.
“This vessel has been designed to be the most eco-sustainable vessel in the world and we are very proud we have reached that target,” said Captain Dino Sagani.
“As of today we can say this is the most eco-sustainable cruise vessel in the world.”
According to MSC, the “revolutionary,” World Europa was designed to usher in a “new era of cruising,” which they say will “optimise efficiency, reduce environmental impact and bring MSC Cruises one step further to its goal, to achieve net zero emissions by 2050”.
Economy Minister Silvio Schembri met with the Captain while visiting the ship during its docking in Valletta – then took to social media to describe the, “beautiful,” ship.
“The MSC World Europa uses sustainable fuel, and has been registered in Malta. It will be offering cruises that start and end in our country,” said Schembri.
The behemoth vessel uses Liquefied Natural Gas, which MSC describes as “the cleanest and most efficient fuel commercially available at the scale we need”.
Given that Maltese air quality has suffered as a result of cruises in the past, it is compelling to hear the company’s claims that their new fuel approach is “reducing sulphur oxides emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxides emissions up to 85% and helping to reduce CO2 emissions by 25%”.
The MSC World Europa offers visitors a unique experience. With 13 dining venues a scenic Panorama Lounge, countless pools and slides, the Europa is set to offer visitors exciting experiences – such as the Venom Drop.
The 333.3 metre long vessel’s hull was customised to decrease resistance through the water and reduce underwater noise from a set of hefty propellors, “in respect of marine wildlife”.
MSC World Europa came into service in late 2022 when it sailed from Doha to Dubai – after serving as a hotel during the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
After an inaugural winter cruise season between Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, MSC World Europa has begun its summer season in the Mediterranean Sea, where it will make port in Italy, Malta, Spain and France.
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