MSC Cruises marks steel cutting for third mega ship MSC World Asia

MSC Cruises has held a ceremony to mark the first steel cutting for its third World-class ship, MSC World Asia.

MSC World Asia joins sister ships MSC World Europa and MSC World America as the largest vessels ever built for MSC Cruises, at over 200,000 gross tons and a passenger capacity of more than 5,400.

The steel cutting ceremony is a major milestone in the ship’s construction as it marks the beginning of her actual build process. The sheets of steel will be used to build giant ‘blocks’ of the ship, which will then be later assembled and welded together.

Under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, the new 205,000-ton vessel is set to enter service in 2026, and as the name suggests, will primarily cater to the Asian market.

During the ceremony on Tuesday, MSC Cruises Group CEO Pierfrancesco Vago was joined by Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s General Manager Laurent Castaing, and MSC Cruises’ CEO Gianni Onorato.

The executives signed the first piece of steel cut for the vessel, which is being built in Saint Nazaire in Northern France.

Castaing said that the vessel is expected to be the most advanced in the world when it enters service, introducing new green technologies that will reduce its environmental impact.

The vessel will be prepared to operate on different alternative fuels like her sister ships, Castaing added, giving MSC different choices for the future when options such as marine biofuel are scaled up for industrial use.

Several areas aboard MSC World Asia will be redesigned to ensure guest satisfaction and enjoyment, and her inaugural itineraries will be released in late 2024.

The steel cutting for the new ship comes just a few weeks after MSC Cruises celebrated the float out of its second World-class ship, MSC World America. 

Also under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique in St. Nazaire, the LNG-powered ship is scheduled to enter service in April 2025 and has been designed primarily for the North American market.

MSC World America is set to offer week-long cruises to the Caribbean departing from Miami and will feature a range of new dining options and amenities, along with MSC Cruises first at-sea ride, Cliffhanger, which is also the only over-water swing ride at sea.