French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique has started building the second LNG-powered vessel for Switzerland-based cruise operator MSC Cruises.
Chantiers held a steel cutting ceremony for the vessel at its yard in Saint-Nazaire on Monday, according to MSC Cruises.
Set to come into service in June 2023, MSC Euribia will become the 22nd vessel in the MSC Cruises’ fleet and the second to run on LNG.
The French yard would deliver the first vessel MSC World Europa in October 2022 while construction of the third vessel would begin in early 2023, MSC Cruises said.
MSC Cruises said it plans to power at least three upcoming ships with LNG, representing a total investment exceeding 3 billion euros ($3.57 billion).
In addition, TotalEnergies will bunker these three ships in the French port of Marseille, using its second LNG bunkering vessel it has chartered from MOL.
China’s Hudong will deliver the 18,600-cbm capacity Gas Vitality later this year.
