Reducing air pollution 

We have installed hybrid Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) on 15 of our cruise ships which reduce SOx emissions by 98%, and Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems on 6 ships, which reduces NOx by up to 85%.

Underwater radiated noise

Our latest low-noise propellers and innovative hull designs reduce impacts on marine life and enhance Guest and Crew comfort. 
 
Water is precious
Over 80% is of our freshwater is produced on board. Aeration faucets cut consumption by up to 2/3 and advance wastewater treatment systems purify all water consumed.

Waste management
We keep waste to a minimum and separate paper, aluminum, glass, plastic and other recyclables for delivery to specialist port recycling facilities 

New fuel types
In 2022, we have launched MSC World Europa, our first LNG-powered ship. LNG largely eliminates sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions and particulate matter in the exhaust, reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by up to 85%, and CO2 by up to 25%.  

Maximising Energy efficiency
Smart heating, ventilation & cooling systems, plus long-lasting LED lighting have contributed to reducing fleet carbon intensity by 34% since 2008.

Shore power capability
11 of our ships are now able to connect to shore power, potentially enabling the onboard engines to be switched off whilst in berth 

Advanced analytics
Digitalisation is allowing us to anticipate and address inefficiencies in systems and equipment, and provide the crew with specific guidance for performance improvements.  

Smart HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning system)

Intelligent distribution of heat and cold air to minimize the energy required to keep guests and crew comfortable.

Heat recovery
Heat recovery systems allow the intelligent redistribution of heat and cold where needed throughout the ship.  

Trim stabiliser
A software application monitors the ship’s stability to support the deck officers in optimising the vessel’s trim – and therefore reducing fuel consumption. 

Reducing drag
Our ship hulls are coated with hi-tech paints that slow the growth of marine organisms, thereby reducing drag and improving energy efficiency. 

Ballast water treatment system
All ballast water is filtered and UV treated before being discharged at sea to ensure to prevent the transport of invasive species.

We are also collaborating with technology and energy providers to support and test innovative technologies and deploy renewable fuels to further reduce our emissions. 

Our hybrid EGCS can operate in an open or closed loop, allowing wash water to be collected in holding tanks to avoid direct discharge into ports or other sensitive areas.

6 of our ships are fitted with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, which significantly reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the ship exhaust and transforms it into harmless nitrogen and water, through advanced active emissions control technology. SCR systems will be on fitted on all future ships. 
 
12 of our ships, including all our new ships, are been fitted with shore power capability. This enables onboard engines to be switched off, cutting emissions. We are committed to using these systems whenever shore power is available.

This means that we minimise taking this precious resource from destinations ashore where freshwater can be scarce. 

Our latest ships can produce over 3 millions liters each day, much more than is needed to fill an Olympic swimming pool! With the freshwater produced on board we even make our own beer. Our micro-brewery on MSC World Europa uses freshwater produced onboard from seawater, which means we can load less beer onto our ships, and manage less waste, such as beer cans and bottles.

Less ‘drag’ means smoother movement through the water and less noise. Insulation of potentially noisy equipment such as engines and generators on board the ship will also have a positive impact on reducing under water noise.
 
We are also reducing noise thanks to our propeller which is equipped with an air lubrication system that balances the pressure around the propeller. As the ship moves through the water, the propeller blades create low pressure and the bubble system is able to equalize this therefore reducing the noise.

Heat recovery systems allow the intelligent redistribution of heat and cold where needed throughout the ship. In particular we ensure the waste heat from the engines does not go to waste but is used to heat water for the laundry and to generate freshwater from seawater through evaporation.
 
In addition, our ships gather and continuously transmit thousands of different data sets to our expert teams on shore. We use this data to better understand how we operate, and to improve efficiency across all areas of our operations.

Scientific studies over the years have revealed that this practice has allowed bacteria, microbes, small invertebrates, larvae and other microorganisms to be transported from one location to another around the world, potentially threatening local ecosystems.
 

To prevent this, and to comply with strict international regulations, all our ships are fitted with a ballast water treatment system that complies with the standards set by the UN international governing body, the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This system protects against the involuntary introduction of invasive marine species. In 2022, 100% of ballast water was filtered and UV treated before being discharged at sea.

Training our crew, not only to handle waste, but to understand the importance of waste management, is central to what we do. Our crew members receive ongoing training to ensure they remain abreast of the highest standards and can inform our guests about the need to separate and recycle.

The Environmental Compliance Officer on every ship is responsible for ensuring waste management protocols are followed.