MSC Cruises is having a big milestone week, as its upcoming World-class ship MSC World America was floated out at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France on Sunday, April 7th. As well, the cruise line celebrated the steel-cutting of its third World-class ship and announced its name today during a press conference at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami.
MSC World America Floated Out
Following her float out ceremony on Sunday, MSC World America is now in her final phase of construction. She’s scheduled to be named at MSC’s terminal at PortMiami on April 9, 2025, followed by a celebratory sailing to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
World America will be MSC Cruises’ largest ship in the U.S. and its first in the region to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). It’s the second in the World-class following MSC World Europa, which debuted in December 2022.
MSC World Asia
MSC Cruises is also celebrating the steel-cutting of its third World-class ship, which was announced today to be named MSC World Asia. The vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2026. The cruise line hasn’t yet announced details on where the ship will sail, but it will feature design touches, experiences, and other features inspired by the continent of Asia.
“MSC World America is another example of the incredible professional partnership between us and the Chantiers de l’Atlantique with whom we have designed five distinct and innovative prototypes – the most recent being the ground-breaking World Class platform,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.
“With each and every ship we strive to improve and enhance not only the environmental technology but also new features that enrich the experience for the guest as we design for the future holiday experience. MSC World Asia continues in this tradition and with this important milestone of the steel cutting we are pleased to confirm that she will offer even more advanced new features in terms of future-proof marine and onboard hospitality technologies as well as guest experiences.”
Environmentally-Advanced Ships
MSC World Europa and MSC World America currently deliver some of the lowest carbon footprints in the cruise industry, as per the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). MSC World Asia will be an evolution of these high performing ships, with an even further reduced carbon footprint.
MSC World Asia will become the fourth LNG ship to join the MSC Cruises fleet. Fossil LNG offers immediate Green House Gas emission reductions compared to conventional marine fuels, along with a direct pathway to drop in renewable substitutes like Bio and Synthetic LNG, which MSC Cruises’ LNG ships are ready to use as soon as the fuels become commercially available at scale.
New generation dual-fuel internal combustion engines will help reduce emissions and reduce methane slip by 30 percent vs. current technology. MSC Cruises is part of an EU-funded project called GREEN RAY that’s working to minimize methane slip by developing new technologies that can be installed onto new and existing ships. Initial tests of the new combustion concept have shown positive results.
As with al new MSC Cruises ships, World America and World Asia will be fitted with shore power connectivity. This reduces emissions by allowing the ship’s engines to be turned off while calling in ports that have shore power capabilities.
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