MSC Cruises Reports Sustainability Progress Earlier Than Expected

MSC Group’s Cruise Division has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining the company’s environmental and social performance over the past year.

In a statement, MSC said the seventh edition of its annual report highlights continued advancements in key areas such as decarbonization, biodiversity protection, and responsible destination management.

Among the report’s major achievements, the company noted that its Cruise Division reached the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 carbon intensity reduction goal five years earlier than required.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Group’s Cruise Division, said: “We are advancing our energy transition while investing in our people, strengthening relationships with communities and taking a more structured approach to biodiversity. I am proud of our progress, and this year’s report shows our commitment is unwavering as our business grows.”

MSC also stated that, under its Energy Transition Plan, both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys remain on course to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from marine operations by 2050.

In 2025, the *MSC World America *entered service as the company’s third LNG-powered ship equipped with dual-fuel engine technology. MSC added that all upcoming newbuild vessels for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys will incorporate the same capability.

Beyond fleet development, the company continued investing in port infrastructure and destinations around the world. During 2025, new cruise terminals opened in Barcelona and Miami, both designed with sustainability considerations in mind.

Key highlights from the report include:

* More than 9,800 tons of renewable fuels consumed during 2025, leading to a reduction of 48,714 tons of CO2e emissions.

* Comprehensive mapping of greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain for the first time, including shipbuilding, drydock activities, employee travel, food and beverage sourcing, logistics, and waste management.

* Expanded use of shore power throughout the fleet, with 217 shore power connections recorded in 2025, helping reduce emissions while ships were docked.

* Improved water management practices, with 84.4 percent of freshwater generated onboard, reducing dependence on shoreside water supplies.

The company also updated its biodiversity strategy, placing greater emphasis on marine conservation initiatives, responsible tourism practices, whale strike prevention measures, and route modifications in environmentally sensitive regions.

As part of these efforts, MSC completed a new marine conservation facility at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas during 2025. The facility is located on the company’s private island destination and supports its broader environmental objectives.