MSC Group’s Cruise Division and Gasum have partnered to meet the 2050 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The two companies also agreed on the upcoming supply of LNG MSC Euribia.
Liquefied Natural Gas, MSC Cruises, and Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
It has just been announced that the Swiss MSC Group’s Cruise Division has partnered with Sweden’s Gasum to achieve the company’s (MSC Cruises’) 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas goal.
The two companies signed a long-term supply agreement liquefied natural gas (LNG) and e-LNG renewable for MSC Cruises’ new model, 181,541 tonnes MSC Euribiawhich has just started operations and is now on its first tour around Europe.
The agreement between MSC Cruises and Gasum is outlined in a signed Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI focuses on the supply of manufactured e-LNG, which is produced using renewable energy.
The 19th LNG powered unit MSC Euribia—with 2,419 staterooms for 6,334 guests—is said to be the most energy-efficient cruise ship to date.
The LNG fuel that supports it MSC Euribia it also shows the company’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 2050. MSC Cruises hopes to see a further reduction in carbon emissions by 2026.
“We are delighted to partner with Gasum in our journey towards zero greenhouse gas emissions,” MSC Cruises Vice President of Sustainability Linden Coppell said.
“Finding reliable sources of LNG and e-LNG is critical to our decarbonisation efforts, and the LOI and long-term partnership we announced today are key steps in this journey. Partnering with Gasum will help us find the new and clean fuel needed to keep transportation running smoothly, “ Linden added.
By using liquefied natural gas (LNG), MSC Cruises reduces sulfur and particulate emissions, significantly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions, and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, the integration of LNG technology enables MSC Cruises to seamlessly transition to renewable options such as liquefied biogas (bio-LNG) or synthetic gas (e-LNG), thereby achieving a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 100 percent.
Gasum’s purchase of liquefied biogas has already helped MSC Euribia a significant achievement in the first net-zero greenhouse gas journey.
The cruise, from Saint-Nazaire, France to Copenhagen, Denmark, demonstrated the potential of neutral shipping. MSC Euribia they have the ability to convert to liquefied biogas, or bio-LNG, which is a renewable fuel derived from organic waste.
On a four-day tripMSC Euribia (which also shows a best selling point) used bio-LNG, using a reduction method that makes the environment more renewable.
LNG versus e-LNG
LNG and e-LNG are both liquid gases that are used for various purposes, such as powering large ships. The two oils differ in their production methods and their environmental impact. LNG is mainly obtained by cooling the gas, reducing its volume for better storage and transport.
As mentioned before, LNG reduces emissions of sulfur oxides, particles, nitrogen oxides, and other greenhouse gases compared to traditional fuels.
Also Read: LNG Tanker – High Pros and Cons
In contrast, e-LNG is produced using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power, generating electricity to convert water and CO2 into natural gas.
By using renewable energy, e-LNG has the advantage of lower emissions (compared to LNG), if it is produced through renewable energy. E-LNG provides an efficient way to improve maritime operations while working to reduce transport costs at sea and on land.
Gasum hopes to provide seven terawatt hours (a terawatt hour, or TWh, is a unit of energy equal to one trillion watts) of renewable energy per year by 2027, which should result in an annual reduction of 1.8 million tons of oil. carbon dioxide emissions for the company’s renewable energy customers.
