MSC CRUISES INAUGURATES BRAND NEW CRUISE BERTH IN HELSINKI, FINLAND

• MSC Meraviglia is the first cruise ship to call at the newly built berth for large cruise ships.

Helsinki, Finland, 30 April 2019 – MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise company, and the Port of Helsinki, today inaugurated a newly built berth for mega cruise ships. At the occasion of the inaugural ceremony, senior leaders of MSC Cruises and the Port of Helsinki cut the ribbon together to celebrate the launch of operations at this new berth.

The new LHD pier at the Hernesaari Dock is able to accommodate vessels up to 360 metres in length. All vessels of 215 metres or larger and more than 90% of all cruise passengers will berth at the Hernesaari quarter in Helsinki. This further improved efficiency will give Helsinki the opportunity to further develop cruise services and connections for an even greater experience to its visitors.

While MSC Meraviglia isn’t a newcomer in Helsinki the ship had the honour to inaugurate this new berth. Ms Pia Pakarinen, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, greeted the vessel with her guests welcome to Helsinki. Michele Francioni, MSC Cruises’ Senior Vice President, and Ville Haapasaari, CEO of Port of Helsinki,together cut the ribbon and officially opened the berth.

Michele Francioni, Senior Vice President Port Development at MSC Cruises said: “We feel privileged to celebrate this milestone with our longstanding partner, the Port of Helsinki. Northern Europe is a key area of focus and our ships call regularly in the Port of Helsinki during the summer season. Moving forward we are committed to increasing our capacity in the region, deploying our most modern and environmentally sound tonnage. MSC Meraviglia is an environmental role model in cruising and the complementary services from a well-positioned berth, will greatly help in delivering a seamless guest experience when calling Helsinki.”

Ville Haapasaari, CEO of Port of Helsinki commented: “Port of Helsinki is very proud to receive MSC Meraviglia as the first vessel to call our newest berth. As she is one of the newest vessels in the area she also represents most modern technologies and is by far the largest vessel by number of passengers visiting us. We hope to see this good development and excellent cooperation ongoing in the future”.

Launched in June 2017, MSC Meraviglia is one of the more innovative ships at sea, and is bestowed with the latest guest-centric, maritime and environmental technology. The ship complies with high international standards and received the 8 Golden Pearls award from Bureau Veritas, recognising the efforts in eight particular domains of environmental protection. The environmental technology includes, amongst others, the exhaust gas cleaning system, the advanced waste water treatment, systems for the prevention of oil discharge from machinery spaces, the ballast water treatment system, and a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan.

Helsinki will see MSC Cruises ships call frequently during the 2019 summer season.

About MSC Meraviglia

• Entered into service: 3 June 2017

• Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT

• Maximum number of passengers: 5,714

• Crew members: 1,536

• Number of cabins: 2,244

• Length/Beam/Height: 315.3m/43m/65m

• Maximum speed: 22.7 knots

• Percentage of ocean view/balcony cabins: 69%

• Awards: In the UK, MSC Meraviglia received the accolade of ‘Best New Ship’ in 2017