MSC Cruises has confirmed the order of two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered World Class vessels with French ship builder Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

This sees the two World Class options confirmed as firm orders with an option for a fifth ship. The two new ordered vessels – currently referred to as World Class 3 and 4 – will be delivered in 2026 and 2027.

MSC World Europa and MSC World America are already the most energy-efficient ships in the industry, performing significantly better than the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirement.

The new ships will be an evolution of the state-of-the-art World Class prototype with innovative solutions to maximise energy efficiency, including extensive use of heat recovery and other technologies for a further reduced carbon footprint. The new ships will be ready for several alternative fuels, including bio and synthetic methane and green methanol. They will also be fitted with next-generation dual fuel internal combustion engines with reduced methane slip.

MSC Cruises executive chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, said the line was proud to continue its 20-year partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, with whom it has already built 18 ships and has a nineteenth vessel 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,” Vago said.

Chantiers de l’Atlantique general manager, Laurent Castaing, said MSC had shown confidence in the company’s skills by placing the order “at a difficult time for the European shipbuilding industry”.

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

“In addition, MSC Cruises, always seeking to reduce the environmental impact of its ships quickly and significantly, has accepted a significant cost premium to improve the energy efficiency of these new ships which, according to the IMO's EEDI index, will emit 50% less CO₂ than the IMO's 2008 benchmark.”

He said the government had supported the company’s research and development policy to meet MSC’s expectations for the order.

The new World Class vessels will feature shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce carbon emissions in port, the most advanced wastewater treatment systems designed in line with the IMO, new advances in waste management, and a comprehensive range of onboard energy-efficient equipment to optimise engine use and hotel energy needs to further reduce emissions.

The two new orders will be subject to access to financing according to industry practice.