FIRST GLOBAL CRUISE LINE WITH ’ZERO EMISSIONS’

MSC Cruises is to become the world’s first carbon-neutral global cruise line as of January 1 2020 — through a combination of technological advancements and environmental projects.

It made the announcement in Hamburg last week as it launched its new flagship, the Grandiosa, pictured. Featuring several innovations — such as systems to significantly reduce harmful-gas emissions, as well as advanced waste management and wastewater-treatment systems — the Grandiosa is the company’s most environmentally advanced ship to date. It can also connect to the on-shore power grid when in port — thus bringing its air emissions while berthed to zero.

MSC, which now has a fleet of 17, says its older ships, where feasible, will be retrofitted with this advanced technology.

The launch of the Grandiosa also marked the official launch of the non-profit MSC Foundation, whose mission is to “leave a better world than our own to future generations” through humanitarian and environmental conservation projects.

It has partnerships with organisations including Unicef, Mercy Ships, and Marevivo, a marine conservation association.

For local cruise lovers, the company is bringing two ships to SA for the 2020/2021 cruise season. From this month until April, MSC Orchestra will be cruising from Cape Town and Durban. From December 2020 to March 2021, MSC Opera will be home ported in Cape Town, while MSC Musica will be home ported in Durban.