Maltese PM Tours MSC World Europa at Shore Power Inauguration

On July 10, Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela visited MSC World Europa in Valletta as the ship marked the inauguration of the port’s new shore power facility, the first of its kind in the Mediterranean.

According to a press release, the local power grid in Valletta provided electricity for all operations of MSC World Europa while it was docked. This allowed the ship to switch off its engines completely, eliminating direct emissions at the port and improving local air quality.

Prime Minister Abela, along with other Maltese government officials, toured the 22-deck LNG-powered ship, guided by Captain Stefano Battinelli. Michele Francioni, MSC Cruises’ Chief Energy Transition Officer, also outlined the company’s decarbonization strategy aimed at achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for its marine operations.

The MSC World Europa is scheduled to operate seven-night cruises throughout 2024 and 2025, traveling between Malta, Spain, France, and Italy.

Michele Francioni emphasized the importance of shore power in MSC Cruises' commitment to decarbonization: “Shore power is one very important element of our continued commitment towards decarbonization with most of our fleet equipped to eliminate local emissions and improve local air quality when the ships are at berth in port, and we can switch off their engines as local shoreside electricity powers the operation.”

He added, “It was a great honor to show the Prime Minister of Malta how his country has led the way for shore power in the Mediterranean Sea, our major market for holidays at sea. We look forward to many more ports in the region and throughout the world being equipped in the future so that the cruise and broader maritime sector can further reduce local emissions in ports.”

By the end of 2024, MSC Cruises plans to equip 16 of its 22 vessels for shore power connections, with a goal of 220 connections across ports in China, Norway, Germany, the UK, and Malta.