THE CRUISE DIVISION OF MSC GROUP AND GASUM PARTNER FOR LNG AND RENEWABLE E-LNG TO ACHIEVE 2050 NET ZERO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS GOAL

Geneva, Switzerland, 15 June 2023 - The Cruise Division of MSC Group and Gasum have signed a long-term agreement for the supply of LNG to the new flagship of its MSC Cruises brand, MSC Euribia, as well as a Letter of Intent with the goal of cooperating on the supply of synthetic e-LNG made with renewable energy.  All this as part of the Cruise Division’s strategy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its marine operations by 2050.

MSC Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise operator, and Nordic energy company Gasum and have executed a Letter of Intent (LOI) engaging in a landmark cooperation that aims at securing MSC access to liquefied synthetic gas, or e-LNG, which is produced using hydrogen, created by hydrolysis with renewable energy and captured CO2. Gasum and MSC Cruises are together creating an actionable roadmap for cutting emissions in MSC’s cruise operations with sizeable volumes of several thousand tons of e-LNG starting in 2026.

The companies also signed a long-term agreement on the delivery of liquefied natural gas, LNG, to MSC’s new flagship MSC Euribia. With this agreement Gasum supports MSC Cruises in cutting emissions with the immediate use of LNG.

Using LNG removes nearly all sulfur oxide and particle emissions, greatly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions and significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, LNG technology on board enables MSC Cruises to switch at any time to fully renewable liquefied biogas (bio-LNG) or synthetic gas (e-LNG) in order to reach greenhouse gas emissions reductions of up to 100 per cent.

MSC Euribia recently demonstrated that emissions neutral cruising is possible already today by sailing the historical first ever net zero greenhouse gas emissions cruise voyage benefiting from the emissions reductions allowed by liquefied biogas procured by Gasum. The ship sailed for four days from Saint-Nazaire in France to Copenhagen, Denmark and utilised bio-LNG with a mass-balance approach, the most environmentally efficient method of delivering the benefits of renewable biogas.  MSC Cruises purchased over 400 tonnes of bio-LNG from Gasum to show its commitment to the deployment of drop-in renewable fuels and energy transition measures towards the pioneering net zero gas emissions voyage.  The line is the industry’s first deep sea ocean cruise operator to buy bio-LNG as a fuel source that proved to allow significant lifecycle emissions reductions.

Linden Coppell, Vice President of Sustainability and ESG for MSC Cruises, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Gasum on our journey to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Securing a reliable supply of LNG and e-LNG is of critical importance to our decarbonisation efforts, and the LOI and long-term agreement that we have announced today are significant steps on that journey. Partnering with Gasum will enable us to access new and cleaner fuels needed to make net zero cruising a reality. We need more suppliers like Gasum to step up and support our industry with its environmental targets. We are ready and waiting to buy more of these new fuels.”

Mika Wiljanen, CEO of Gasum, stated: “As an alternative fuel supplier dedicated to the energy transition, Gasum is proud to offer support to MSC Cruises, a major maritime player, in their quest to improve the environmental footprint of their operations. At the same time MSC Cruises is supporting the development of the most promising alternative fuel by proving a demand for it. This LOI on e-LNG is a landmark agreement for the shipping industry as it demonstrates that e-LNG will be available to the maritime transport sector within a short timeframe. We are also very happy about the long-term LNG supply agreement which we believe is the start of long-lasting cooperation.”

What is e-LNG or synthetic gas

E-LNG gas can be produced synthetically through the Power-to-Gas process. First hydrogen is produced from water using renewable electricity, for example wind or solar power. The produced hydrogen can then be further processed into methane by adding non-fossil carbon dioxide obtained from carbon capture.

This resulting synthetic renewable methane gas is fully interchangeable with natural gas and biogas. When it is liquefied it is likewise fully interchangeable with LNG and liquified biogas. This means that it can be transported through already existing infrastructure – trucks, ships, pipelines also using the existing gas grids.

It also means that synthetic gas can be directly used in the dual fuel engines fitted on board currently running on natural gas, biogas, LNG or liquefied biogas at any ratio. There is no need for any additional investments in new equipment or modifications.

Unlike alternative fuels such as ammonia or methanol which are still in the development stage both in terms of production and infrastructure, synthetic gas, or e-LNG, is a concrete pathway to decarbonizing maritime as well as land transportation in the next few years.

Gasum’s strategic goal is to bring seven terawatt hours (7 TWh) of renewable gas yearly to market by 2027. Achieving this goal would mean a yearly cumulative carbon dioxide reduction of 1.8 million tons for Gasum’s customers.

ENDS

More information:

Olga Väisänen, VP, Communications and Sustainability, Gasum
Olga.Vaisanen@gasum.com, +358 40 554 0578

Giles Read, Global Head of Corporate Communications, MSC Cruises

giles.read@msccruises.com, +41 79797 33 51

MSC Euribia features and environmental technologies:

• Gross Tonnage: 184 011
• Length: 331 m
• Width: 43 m
• Height: 73,6 m
• Passengers capacity: 6 334

Engines and fuels:

• Four Wärtsilä Dual Fuel engines: 2 x 16V46DF and 2 x 12V46DF
• Engines capable of running on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and on low-sulphur marine gasoil (MGO)

World-first net zero emission cruise:

MSC Euribia completed a net zero GHG trip on her first voyage from St. Nazaire to Copenhagen benefiting from the emissions reductions allowed by g bio-LNG using a mass-balance system, the most cost effective and environmentally efficient method of delivering the benefits of renewable biogas.  MSC Euribia can be powered using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which virtually eliminates sulphur oxides and particulates and reduces nitrogen oxides by 85%. It also reduces emissions of greenhouse gases by up to 20% (on a CO2-equivalent basis).             

LNG is a transition fuel: the onboard engine technology and fuel systems can already use bio and synthetic LNG today. In the future, the ship design can accommodate retrofits enabling our LNG-powered vessels to operate using green methanol. MSC Cruises is committed to deploying drop-in renewable fuels and accelerating the energy transition to net-zero.                            

Energy Efficiency

MSC Euribia is the most energy-efficient cruise ship design ever. MSC Euribia will achieve an IMO Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) 55% better than currently required and she is expected to be the best-performing cruise ship in the world at the time of her launch. MSC Euribia will emit up to 19% less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger per day than her sisterships that use conventional marine fuels. MSC Euribia will emit up to 44% less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger per day than ships built only 10 years ago.

Advanced water and waste treatment facilities

Wastewater is treated to a very high quality that is of a better standard than many shoreside municipal wastewater treatment systems worldwide. Our technology meets the strictest international IMO standards – including the so-called Baltic standard. Advanced waste management systems to reduce, reuse, and recycle the waste generated on board.

MSC Cruises is committed to being a net zero GHG emissions brand by 2050

The carbon emissions intensity of our ship operations has decreased by 33.5% since 2008, and we will achieve a 40% reduction ahead of the IMO 2030 target.  Achieving net zero emissions will require more than finding further operational efficiencies: we are embracing new technologies and switching to non-carbon and renewable fuels. We are working with fuel providers and others on deploying drop-in sustainable fuels like advanced biofuels and biogas today. Looking into the future green hydrogen and green methanol will likely contribute to our decarbonisation, as will synthetic e-fuels. Our focus is the development of scalable solutions that can be used universally.

The Cruise Division of MSC Group, the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has two distinct brands within its structure - the contemporary and luxury brands.

MSC Cruises, the contemporary brand, is the world’s third largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Middle East and Southern Africa with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is also the fastest growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.

Its fleet comprises 22 modern vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels and is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025.

MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programmes and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about contemporary brand’s itineraries and experience on board its ships please see here.

Meanwhile the luxury brand, Explora Journeys, is set to start operating in 2023 with a fleet with the latest and most advanced environmental and maritime technologies available. The first of which will have a gross tonnage of 63,900 GT and feature 461 of the largest suites at sea, all with ocean front terraces. These luxury ships will introduce to the luxury segment a broad range of new guest experiences and other activities as well as generous ratios of public spaces, in addition to showcasing highly innovative design. For further information about Explora Journeys please see here.

MSC has long been committed to environmental stewardship with a long-term goal to achieve net zero emissions for its operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide. To learn more about the Company’s environmental commitment please see here. 

Finally, to learn more about the MSC Foundation, MSC Group’s own vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian and cultural commitments please see here.

About Gasum:
The energy company Gasum is a Nordic gas sector and energy market expert. Gasum offers cleaner energy and energy market expert services for industry as well as cleaner fuel solutions for road and maritime transport. The company helps its customers not only to reduce their own carbon footprint but also that of their customers. Together with its partners, Gasum promotes development towards a carbon-neutral future on land and at sea. Read more: Gasum.com