MSC Cruises confirms order for two additional World-class vessels

MSC Cruises has confirmed the order of two new vessels to join its World class.

The ships, currently referred to as World Class 3 and 4, are to be build at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France and will be delivered in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

Both vessels will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will use “innovative solutions to maximise energy efficiency, with extensive use of heat recovery and other technological solutions,” the line said.

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They will both be capable of using alternative fuels, such as bio and synthetic methane and green methanol, and will be fitted with dual fuel internal combustion engines.

World Class 3 and 4 will join the fleet alongside MSC World Europa (pictured), which was delivered in October 2022, and MSC World America, which is scheduled to enter service in April 2025.

MSC Cruises said it also has the “option” for a fifth ship to be built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard.

MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “We are proud to continue our 20-year partnership with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, with whom we have already built 18 ships with our nineteenth under construction.

“The World-class is a truly innovative prototype and together we are building some of the most advanced ships in the world.

“We are committed to researching and investing in future environmental technologies as they become available to ensure we continue progressing on our decarbonisation journey to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

Laurent Castaing, general manager at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, said: “At a difficult time for the European shipbuilding industry, MSC Cruises has shown its confidence in our abilities and skills with this order.

“We would therefore like to express our gratitude to MSC Cruises for its renewed confidence at this crucial time.”