MSC names new ship MSC World America, takes delivery of MSC World Europa

MSC Cruises has announced the name of its second World-class cruise ship as MSC World Europa, while in the same week it took delivery of the first in the class, MSC World Europa.

The name for MSC World America was announced during a steel cutting ceremony at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, where both ships were built.

As her name suggests, MSC World America will be deployed in the United States when she is delivered in 2025, and like her sister ship MSC World Europa, she will be powered by LNG.

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Also this week, Chantiers de l’Atlantique officially delivered MSC World Europa to MSC Cruises ahead of her deployment next month to the Middle East.

MSC World Europa will spend a month in Qatar as a floating hotel during the FIFA 2022 World Cup, and in mid-December will reposition to Dubai, where she will homeport for the 2022/23 winter cruise season.

MSC World Europa is the largest LNG-powered cruise ship in the world and one of the first to incorporate fuel cell technology, according to MSC Cruises.

The ship features brand new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The ship will include a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator that will use LNG to produce electricity and heat on board in a highly efficient way by means of an electrochemical reaction.

The ship will also be a testbed to accelerate the development of fuel cell technology for contemporary cruise ships and offers the potential to enable hybrid propulsion solutions in the future.

“We are proud to welcome to our fleet MSC World Europa, our 20th ship and the first to be LNG-powered. This groundbreaking vessel represents the next phase in our journey toward net zero and sustainable cruising and a symbol of our unwavering commitment to both,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group.

MSC World Europa is the largest cruise ship ever built for MSC Cruises, or any other European cruise line, and is the largest cruise ship that will ever homeport in the Middle East.

The ship features 13 dining venues, 6 specialty restaurants, the world’s longest slide at sea, an interior promenade, 6 pools, 14 whirlpools, an entire deck for children and families and an adults zone.