MSC Cruises Innovates with OptiCruise to Drastically Cut Emissions by 2026

In a landmark move towards achieving environmental sustainability in the cruise industry, MSC Cruises is set to pioneer a significant reduction in fleetwide emissions by up to 15 percent by the year 2026. This ambitious goal is to be realized through the implementation of an innovative itinerary planning optimization tool dubbed OptiCruise. Developed in collaboration with OPTIMeasy, a research entity affiliated with the University of Genoa, OptiCruise is designed to revolutionize the way MSC Cruises plans its itineraries, integrating a multitude of factors beyond the traditional focus on destination appeal. This optimization tool is poised to ensure that MSC Cruises not only enhances guest satisfaction but also significantly elevates the efficiency of its sailing operations.

The genesis of OptiCruise sprang from the need to reconcile the dual objectives of maximizing guest satisfaction and minimizing environmental impact. The traditional approach to cruise itinerary planning has predominantly prioritized the attractiveness of destinations to potential travelers. However, OptiCruise expands this perspective by factoring in additional elements such as the sequence of port calls, departure and arrival times, ship speed, and a host of operational costs from fuel to food provisions. By employing sophisticated algorithms, OptiCruise analyzes these dimensions to devise optimized itineraries that maintain or even enhance the appeal to guests while improving energy efficiency.

MSC Bellissima played a pivotal role as the testing ground for this prototype technology over a rigorous 12-month period, traversing 17 ports across the Mediterranean Sea. The successful integration of OptiCruise into the planning process promises not just fuel savings but also a substantial dip in emissions, contributing to the cruise line's broader strategic goals. Michele Francioni, MSC Cruises' Chief Energy Transition Officer, conveyed the significance of OptiCruise not just as a tool for operational efficiency, but as a critical step towards fulfilling the company's commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050 for its marine operations.

Beyond its immediate benefits to MSC Cruises, the development and successful application of OptiCruise serves as a beacon for the global cruise industry. This innovative approach was developed under the auspices of the European Union’s Project CHEK, a concerted effort towards exploring and implementing low-carbon shipping technologies and innovative ship designs. OptiCruise, recognized for its potential to substantially slash emissions, signifies a pivotal stride forward not only for MSC Cruises but also sets a precedent that could reshape environmental sustainability practices across the entire cruise sector.