MSC Poesia Becomes First Ship to Use Shore Power in Le Havre

The MSC Poesia has made history as the first vessel to connect to shore power at the Port of Le Havre.

According to an official statement, this milestone underscores the MSC Group’s Cruise Division’s commitment to advancing the energy transition and supporting the development of sustainable port infrastructure throughout France.

As part of the company’s broader goal to reduce emissions while docked and improve air quality in port cities, MSC Poesia, MSC Preziosa, and MSC Virtuosa are expected to make regular use of Le Havre’s shore power facilities starting in 2026.

A ceremony marking the achievement was held in the presence of Édouard Philippe, Mayor of Le Havre and President of Le Havre Seine Métropole; Benoît Rochet, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Haropa Port; and Erminio Eschena, Director of International Affairs and Industrial Relations for MSC Group France.

Philippe stated: “With this first shore power connection, Le Havre demonstrates that a major port can be both efficient, welcoming, and exemplary. It’s a source of pride for our city and a strong signal for the future of the French coastline.”

Eschena added: “This first shore power connection of MSC Poesia in Le Havre is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to the energy transition. We applaud the vision and investment of the city of Le Havre and its partners, which position this French port among the European leaders in sustainable infrastructure.”

Elsewhere, MSC Cruises continues to expand its shore power usage across Europe. Earlier this month, MSC World Europa celebrated one year of shore power connections at the Port of Malta, totaling 300 hours of connection time in the past year. The following day, Explora I from Explora Journeys connected for the first time in Malta, and shortly after, MSC Seaview successfully tested a new shore power facility in La Spezia, Italy.

Currently, 18 of the 25 ships in the MSC Group’s Cruise Division are equipped to connect to shore power. In 2024 alone, the company completed 142 successful connections across 13 European ports, reflecting its growing commitment to sustainable operations at sea and on shore.