MSC cuts steel on “EVO” newbuild

MSC Cruises today held a formal steelcutting ceremony at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, marking the start of construction of the first of two “Seaside EVO” vessels.

The newly named MSC Seashore ( pictured) is scheduled to enter service in less than three years’ time, as an evolution of MSC’s Seaside class of ships with a range of additional features.

A larger MSC Yacht Club will cover three forward decks, while the 5,632-passenger vessel will also feature an additional lounge at the rear, specialty restaurants on deck eight for dining al fresco closer to the ocean’s surface, and 200 more cabins across the ship.

MSC Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said the Seaside class had proven to be “one of the more innovative cruise ship prototypes ... setting a new industry standard for others to follow.

“Today, only one year after MSC Seaside entered into service, we are taking this award winning concept to the next level,” he said.

Vago said as well as having more on-board facilities, Seashore would feature the latest advanced environmental technology including a selective catalytic reduction system, exhaust gas cleaning technology, advanced water treatment systems, stateof-the-art waste management and an advanced energy and heat-recovery platform.

A second Seaside EVO ship is also on order from Fincantieri, for delivery in the first half of 2022.

MEANWHILE MSC Cruises is also expanding its shoreside facilities, with Vago confirming the company had acquired a significant stake in the cruise terminal in Trieste, Italy.

“This investment will support MSC Cruises’ longstanding objective of providing enhanced and seamless experiences for cruise guests right from the point of embarkation ownards,” the company said.

As a result of the investment, MSC Cruises has confirmed it will develop homeporting operations in Trieste starting from the northern summer of 2020.