Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2021

1 2 0 INTERV IEW In 2022, the company’s first LNG- powered ship, MSC World Europa, will come into service. Further down the track, a drop in lower- or zero-carbon fuel could be used in the same engines. “BioLNG and synthetic LNG are two options in this respect but getting the quantities we need will be a challenge,” notes Coppell. Meanwhile, the lower carbon profile of LNG will help the company to meet its carbon intensity goal. The carbon saving could be between eight and 20 per cent, supporting the goal of an annual 2.5 per cent efficiency improvement across the fleet. Coppell explains that fuel efficiency is very important, not only to meet company targets, but also because new fuels have a lower energy density, meaning a greater volume of fuel is required to generate the same amount of power. This leads to some questions. Should future itineraries include more frequent bunkering calls, or should there be more volume onboard for storage? Last but not least is MSC Cruises’ digital twin ship system, which is “a very important part of the energy efficiency equation,” says Coppell. Comparing ship performance with design criteria and engaging crew in looking at data onboard and suggesting changes, for example reducing engine operation and using waste heat elsewhere, has resulted in some positive improvements. “The crew have been given this opportunity to work with experts onshore to support their existing expertise and we continue to rely on them to feed back their ideas and suggestions to support our efficiency goals,” says Coppell. “We now have systems to collect data much more efficiently so we can compare the real vessel with the virtual ship. This will also help with designing future ships.” MSC Cruises has an internal goal of being net-zero carbon neutral by 2050 for ship operations. Coppell says: “We are incredibly committed to this goal, with no ideas off the table right now. We are listening to many, many technology providers, and the results of our collaborative work, such as Project CHEK, to narrow down opportunities so that we can make the right decisions.” It is clear that MSC Cruises is committed to sustainability and the wider world, researching every aspect of the company’s footprint from well to wake. CFR Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is an island destination where MSC Cruises’ guests can learn about the importance of preserving the oceans and coral reefs