Sustainability at MSC Cruises
With a fleet of 19 ships and over 23,000 staff, MSC cruises is Europe's second-largest cruise line. The company is aware of its role when it comes to making our planet more sustainable. MSC Cruises is committed to protecting the environment, their guests and employees as well as the ports and communities that are part of the cruises they offer. Read all about what that means in practice and how they contribute to a more sustainable world here.
The most advanced technology for reducing emissions
Energy and emission
MSC cruises aims to be fully CO2 neutral by 2050. Among other things, they do this by deploying innovative technology. 13 Of their 19 ships were fitted with their Exhaust Gas Cleaning System, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 97%. Nine of the fleet's future ships will be using Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) for fuel. LNG has the smallest environmental footprint of all fossil fuels. On top of that, the option of switching to bio LNG or synthetic LNG is being investigated already. Furthermore, new and revolutionary design is being deployed to allow for more efficient energy consumption and reduce emissions of harmful substances. For example, by choosing smarter routes based on data and optimising energy consumption, by keeping the hull clean with special paint to improve the hydrodynamics of the ship and with LED lighting and energy-efficient devices on board.
Saving water and a commitment to recycling
Water and waste management
MSC Cruises aims to reduce water consumption on all ships and purify and reuse water wherever possible. Today, 80% of the water on board is purified and reused and less than a quarter is purchased in ports. This means no water needs to be bought in areas where it may be scarce. Furthermore, staff and guests are encouraged to use water sparingly and water-efficient taps and shower heads are installed throughout the ship, reducing water consumption by two thirds. Water consumption generates various types of waste water. MSC Cruises never dumps this water into the sea, not even in circumstances where it is allowed. All of the waste water that cannot be purified and reused, is disposed at the port and treated according to local regulations.
Waste aboard MSC Cruises' ships is collected separately and recycled where possible. Waste that cannot be recycled is disposed of on shore.
Together with the community
Social responsibility
MSC Cruises tries to make tourism more sustainable in collaboration with local authorities, communities and other partners. Among other things, they do this by buying from local suppliers to simulate the local economy and by using local excursion providers. Furthermore, MSC Cruises asks its providers and suppliers to work as sustainably as possible. For example, by deploying e-bikes in excursions and reducing the amount of packaging materials at suppliers.
Promoting local provisioning
MSC Cruises' 'Local as First Choice' programme aims to localise its procurement activities and support the subsistence of the local communities. When it comes to fresh food, the benefits of buying locally are clear. But there are also benefits for non-food items because it reduces the distance those products need to travel before reaching MSC Cruises' ship. This reduces CO2 emissions.
In 2019, around 80% of the food and beverages were bought locally, close to where the ships sail.
Actively contributing to the protection of ecosystems
Biodiversity and marine life
MSC Cruises is committed to making an active contribution to the protection of the biodiversity at sea, the welfare of marine life and the ecosystems of the cruise company's destinations. For example, through the handling of their ballast water. Each ship uses ballast water to prevent capsizing. This water has to be refreshed at times and is dumped into the sea. However, scientific studies have shown that this puts bacteria, microbes and other small organisms from one ecosystem into another, harming biodiversity. MSC Cruises treats all its ballast water on board, preventing these organisms from being dumped into the sea. The company follows the United Nations' guidelines of the International Maritime Organisation. Furthermore, MSC Cruises aims to repair ecosystems that have been lost. Take the Ocean Cay project, for instance, where an abandoned industrial area was converted into a natural reserve where native flora and fauna is now slowly but surely making a comeback.
The power of diversity
The people behind the cruise company
MSC Cruises employs over 23,000 staff with 124 different nationalities. Every possible cultural background is represented at the cruise company. This is the main reason why diversity and inclusion is one of the hallmarks of their HR policy. The company has also set itself the goal of achieving complete gender equality at work within four years. MSC Cruises offers extensive training and development programmes to ensure their staff can develop and grow optimally. The goals is that every employee - whether it be machinists, captains or restaurant staff - can do their job to the best of their capability and to their own satisfaction.
More information
MSC Cruises publishes an annual sustainability report, clarifying the subjects above and substantiating them with numbers. Download the sustainability report here.