DOHA, QATAR TO HOST NAMING CEREMONY FOR MSC WORLD EUROPA, MSC’S MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY ADVANCED CRUISE SHIP HAILED AS REPRESENTING “THE FUTURE OF CRUISING”

• Official naming event for MSC Group’s newest MSC Cruises flagship to take place on November 13, 2022
• Partnership with Qatar Airways forms part of the Cruise Division of MSC Group’s commitment to the country and signifies importance of the wider Gulf region
• International event to welcome travel trade and media from around the world
• MSC World Europa, the line’s first trailblazing World Class ship will welcome guests in the Gulf region for winter 2022-2023 season

Doha, Qatar and Geneva, Switzerland – September 7, 2022 – The Cruise Division of MSC Group, in partnership with Qatar Airways, announced today that the naming ceremony for MSC Cruises’ trailblazing new flagship, MSC World Europa, will take place on November 13. The Qatari capital of Doha will host the ceremony, which will also serve to officially inaugurate the city’s new Grand Cruise Terminal. The announcement demonstrates MSC’s overall commitment to Qatar and the continued importance of the Middle East, where MSC Cruises is brand leader. It also supports Qatar’s Vision 2030 pledge to triple the number of international tourists visiting the country by the end of the decade.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division of MSC Group, said, “We are incredibly proud that in November we will name our most innovative, futuristic and the world’s largest environmentally-focused cruise passenger ship in Doha. MSC World Europa represents the future of cruising, a totally new platform that will provide our guests with an unforgettable cruise not experienced anywhere before, so it is fitting that this monumental event will take place in one of the seven new Urban Wonders of the World and inaugurate the city’s magnificent new Grand Cruise Terminal.”

“Qatar will continue to play an important role in our strategy to expand our presence in the broader Gulf region as we see greater demand from our guests to visit this culturally rich and yet fully discovered part of the world. I would like to thank Qatar Airways for its collaborative partnership and strong support in making this event happen.”

“And it is only fitting that this event marks the coming into service of the highly anticipated MSC World Europa, the first in our trailblazing ‘World Class’ of ships that introduces a completely new cruising platform that boasts future-proof marine and onboard hospitality technologies, state-of-the-art environmental technologies as well as ground-breaking and ultramodern design. The ship will become the biggest and most environmentally high-performing passenger ship to sail out of Doha and across the Middle East and welcome guests from around the world for the winter 2022/2023 season.”

MSC World Europa’s naming ceremony will be a glamourous and star-studded event—celebrated with live entertainment, stunning performances, and the traditional maritime bottle-breaking moment against a backdrop of fireworks over Doha’s skyline. Further details of the special event will be revealed as the ceremony approaches.

His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, commented: “Qatar has taken important steps to position itself as a world class destination for cruise passengers and the naming ceremony of MSC World Europa in Doha is another landmark event as we grow this important tourism sector. As Qatar places great importance on sustainability, it is fitting that we host this ceremony for such an environmentally focused cruise ship. In addition, the opening of the new Grand Cruise Terminal is a state-of-the-art facility that firmly puts Qatar on the map for cruise ships and positions Doha as one of the most modern ports in the world.”

The special occasion will take place at Doha’s new Grand Cruise Terminal, a state-of-the-art 258,000-square-foot facility that will handle up to 28,000 passengers per day and has the capacity to host two mega-cruise ships at once. Cruise passengers will enjoy an incredible aquarium in the terminal and a gallery that specializes in Islamic art, among the facility’s many features.  

MSC World Europa will make her maiden voyage on December 20, offering 7-night cruises to Doha; Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island (United Arab Emirates); and Dammam (Saudi Arabia). Joining the ship in the region this winter, MSC Opera will offer 7-night itineraries to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island, plus two destinations in Oman – Muscat and Khasab.

MSC World Europa will move to the Mediterranean Sea in March 2023 to offer 7-night cruises visiting the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina; Valletta (Malta); Barcelona (Spain); and Marseille (France).

About MSC World Europa

MSC Cruises’ eagerly anticipated new flagship spans 22 decks, encompasses 215,863 gross tons, measures 154 feet wide, offers more than 420,000 square feet of public space and includes 2,626 cabins.

This ultramodern urban metropolis at sea is designed to broaden the range of experiences available for vacationers.

MSC World Europa will be the first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessel in MSC Cruises’ fleet and the most environmentally advanced to date. LNG, is one of the world’s cleanest marine fuels available at scale and is set to play a key role in the decarbonization of international shipping. It virtually eliminates local air pollutant emissions like sulphur oxides and reduces nitrogen oxides by up to 85 percent.

LNG also plays a key role in climate change mitigation as it reduces CO2 emissions by 25 percent and is paving the way for the uptake of sustainable non-fossil fuels like green hydrogen. A demonstration fuel cell onboard MSC World Europa will test the efficiency of this technology as a means to produce heat and electricity about 30 percent more efficiently.

MSC World Europa will also feature selective catalytic reduction systems, shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce carbon emissions in port, advanced wastewater treatment systems designed in line with the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization, food and waste recycling, an underwater radiated noise management system to help protect marine life, and a comprehensive range of onboard energy efficient equipment to optimize engine use and further reduce emissions.

The Swiss-based line has a long-term goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions for its operations by 2050. This will be achieved by investing and supporting the accelerated development and implementation of innovative, cutting-edge technologies to be deployed across the Company’s fleet of ships.

For more information on MSC World Europa, click here.

For more information on MSC Cruises’ Gulf region itineraries, click here.

 # # #

About MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region and Southern Africa, with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is also the fastest growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is one of the two brands that sit within the Cruise Division of MSC Group, the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage. MSC Cruises – the contemporary brand - has a modern fleet of 19 vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels. The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025, with options for six more vessel orders in place through 2030.

MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs, and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ itineraries and experience on board its ships, click here.

The Company’s number one priority has always been the health and safety of its guests and crew, as well as the communities at the destinations its ships serve.  In August 2020, MSC Cruises implemented a new comprehensive and robust health and safety protocol to become the first major line to return to sea. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ health & safety protocol, click here.

MSC Cruises has long been committed to environmental stewardship, with a long-term goal to achieve net zero emissions for its operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide. To learn more about the Company’s environmental commitment, click here. 

Finally, to learn more about the MSC Foundation, MSC Group’s own vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian and cultural commitments, click here.