MSC Cruises to reduce fleetwide emissions by up to 15%

The line has developed a new mathematical model with OPTIMeasy, a research company that comprehensively examined numerous factors that influence the planning of each of MSC Cruises’ itineraries to achieve the optimum efficiency level while maintaining or enhancing guest satisfaction.

OptiCruise broadens the scope substantially to include numerous other aspects which influence an itinerary’s efficiency, including sequencing of the port calls, departure and arrival times at ports, a ship’s speed, the appeal and attractiveness of destinations, shore excursions, and operational costs.

MSC Bellissima was chosen to evaluate the prototype technology over a 12-month period as the ship sailed between 17 ports in the Mediterranean Sea.

MSC Cruises’ strategy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 for its marine operations is focused on three key areas - ship and engine technology, operational efficiency and renewable fuels.  OptiCruise comes under the operational efficiency focus.

Michele Francioni, Chief Energy Transition Officer, MSC Cruises, said, “We have identified and developed this new technology to optimise the decision-making process of itinerary planning to further reduce emissions across our fleet from 2026. 

“The OPTIMeasy team calculates that the average fuel savings made, and emissions reduced by using OptiCruise are in the range of 10-15 per cent which is a significant step forward in our ambition to achieve our net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 for our marine operations.”

OptiCruise was developed as part of the European Union’s funded Project CHEK, which was established to investigate and trial several low-carbon shipping opportunities

The mathematical model was accepted for development by Project CHEK as it was recognised as a factor that could substantially reduce emissions across the entire cruise industry.

The CHEK Project is part of the EU’s Horizon research and innovation programme and led by the University of Vaasa in Finland.