Today, 15 of 22 MSC Cruises ships are equipped with Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) to reduce sulphur from ship emissions by 98%.

Our hybrid EGCS can operate in an open or closed loop, allowing wash water to be collected in holding tanks to avoid direct discharge into ports or other sensitive areas.

6 of our ships are fitted with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, which significantly reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the ship exhaust and transforms it into harmless nitrogen and water, through advanced active emissions control technology. SCR systems will be on fitted on all future ships. 

12 of our ships, including all our new ships, are been fitted with shore power capability. This enables onboard engines to be switched off, cutting emissions. We are committed to using these systems whenever shore power is available.

Our ships are designed to reduce noise radiated under the water surface, thus minimising noise or vibration that might impact aquatic mammals. Noise reduction is achieved on various levels. A significant amount of effort goes into studying and perfecting the ship’s hull design, hydrodynamics and propulsion system.

Through extensive testing and simulations with our ship-building partners, we rely on optimized hull designs to minimise resistance when moving through the water. Less ‘drag’ means smoother movement through the water and less noise. Insulation of potentially noisy equipment such as engines and generators on board the ship will also have a positive impact on reducing under water noise.

We are also reducing noise thanks to our propeller which is equipped with an air lubrication system that balances the pressure around the propeller. As the ship moves through the water, the propeller blades create low pressure and the bubble system is able to equalize this therefore reducing the noise.

One of the challenges in operating a cruise ship is keeping the weight, centre of gravity, and stability requirements balanced and consistent throughout a voyage. To help us do this, there are tanks distributed in the lower part of a ship which can be filled with seawater to act as ballast.

Scientific studies over the years have revealed that this practice has allowed bacteria, microbes, small invertebrates, larvae and other microorganisms to be transported from one location to another around the world, potentially threatening local ecosystems.

To prevent this, and to comply with strict international regulations, all our ships are fitted with a ballast water treatment system that complies with the standards set by the UN international governing body, the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This system protects against the involuntary introduction of invasive marine species. In 2022, 100% of ballast water was filtered and UV treated before being discharged at sea.

MSC Cruises is committed to supporting the health of our oceans. In 2022, following discussions with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, OceanCare and WWF Greece, we agreed to re-route our ships on the west coast of Greece to reduce the risk of collision with endangered sperm whales in the Mediterranean.

In addition, in 2023 we have partnered with marine conservation charity ORCA to deliver a comprehensive ship strike mitigation programme for the line’s deck officers to reduce the likelihood of collisions with whales, dolphins and porpoises in oceans around the world.