French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique is moving forward with the construction of the first LNG-powered vessels for cruise operator MSC Cruises.
Chantiers held a keel-laying ceremony for the LNG-powered cruiser, first such vessel to be constructed in France, on Monday.
The 205,000 gross ton cruiser MSC World Europa will enter service in 2022.
The vessel will feature a new system that incorporates solid oxide fuel cell technology.
This system, with an output power of 50KW, will produce electricity and heat using LNG on board.
![MSC Cruises LNG-powered vessel](https://lngprime.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Keel-laid-for-first-MSC-Cruises’-LNG-powered-2ship.jpg)
The MSC World Europa will be the first of four “World Class” ships to join the MSC fleet.
The Switzerland-based cruise line has earlier this year ordered two additional LNG-powered ships at the yard in Saint-Nazaire.