Maritime event. The new MSC World Europe cruise ship leaves the port of Saint-Nazaire today to arrive in Qatar. This ocean liner is 333 meters long, 68 meters high. Its cost exceeds one billion euros. The building – with capacity for 6,800 passengers and 1,200 crew members – will become a floating hotel for the World Cup that will take place from November 20 to December 18. And already, the cruise line has been filled with reservations.
This success even led to the commissioning of “a third, smaller ship, which will complete the offer”.
“Hyperactive Transitions”
As well as serving as a luxury hotel for the World Cup, the MSC Wold Europe is inaugurating a hybrid propulsion system that runs on LNG and marine fuel oil if gas is not available in a port. It is the first liquefied natural gas ocean liner built in France.
In addition, and this is a world first, the electricity on board will be produced in part by a fuel cell also powered by gas. “It is really unique. With a capacity of 150 kilowatts, it will provide all the necessary power on the ship. If it is efficient, we will probably increase this mix towards the fuel cell and reduce the LNG part”, continues Patrick Pourbaix.
From now on, MSC Cruises intends to build only ships that can use LNG or methanol.
Source: BFM TV
