MSC Cruises and Gasum partner to use LNG and renewable e-LNG

25-06-23

MSC Group's cruise division and Finnish state-owned energy company Gasum have signed a long-term agreement for the supply of LNG to MSC Cruises' new flagship, MSC Euribia, as well as a letter of intent with the aim of cooperating on the supply of liquefied synthetic gas (e-LNG) made from renewable energy.

This agreement comes as part of the cruise division's strategy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its marine operations by 2050.

MSC Cruises, the world's third-largest cruise operator, and Nordic energy company Gasum have signed a Letter of Intent to initiate a landmark cooperation aimed at securing MSC's access to liquefied synthetic gas, or e-LNG, which is produced using hydrogen, created by hydrolysis with renewable energy and captured CO2.

The two companies also signed a long-term agreement on the supply of liquefied natural gas, LNG, to MSC Cruises' new flagship, MSC Euribia. With this agreement, Gasum supports MSC Cruises in reducing emissions with the immediate use of LNG.

The use of LNG eliminates almost all sulphur oxide and particulate emissions, greatly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, onboard LNG technology allows MSC Cruises to switch at any time to fully renewable liquefied biogas (bio-LNG) or synthetic gas (e-LNG) to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 100%.

MSC Euribia has recently demonstrated that emission-neutral cruising is now possible by completing the first cruise voyage with net zero greenhouse gas emissions thanks to the liquefied biogas purchased by Gasum.

The ship sailed for four days from Saint-Nazaire (France) to Copenhagen (Denmark) and used bio-LNG using a mass balance approach, "the most environmentally efficient method to realise the benefits of renewable biogas".

MSC Cruises purchased more than 400 tonnes of bio-LNG from Gasum to show its commitment to the deployment of renewable fuels and energy transition measures towards the pioneering voyage of net zero gas emissions.

Synthesis gas

Synthesis gas can be produced synthetically through the Power-to-Gas process. First, hydrogen is produced from water using renewable electricity, e.g. wind or solar power. The hydrogen produced can then be transformed into methane by adding non-fossil carbon dioxide from carbon capture.

This resulting renewable synthetic methane gas is fully interchangeable with natural gas and biogas. When liquefied, it is also fully interchangeable with LNG and liquefied biogas. This means that it can be transported through existing infrastructure - trucks, ships, pipelines - also using existing gas networks.

It also means that syngas can be used directly in on-board dual-fuel engines currently running on natural gas, biogas, LNG or liquefied biogas in any proportion. No additional investment in new equipment or modifications is required.

MSC says that "unlike alternative fuels such as ammonia or methanol, which are still under development in terms of both production and infrastructure, syngas is a concrete way to decarbonise maritime and land transport in the coming years".

Gasum's strategic goal is to commercialise seven terawatt hours (7 TWh) per year of renewable gas by 2027. Achieving this target would mean a cumulative annual carbon dioxide reduction of 1.8 million tonnes for Gasum's customers.

The emissions intensity of MSC Cruises' shipboard operations has decreased by 33.5% since 2008, and a 40% reduction will be achieved ahead of the IMO's 2030 target.