MSC Cruises’ first LNG-powered ship...

MSC World Europa is the world’s largest LNG-powered cruise ship

In partnership with Qatar Airways, MSC Cruises has announced that the naming ceremony for its first liquefied natural gas-powered ship, MSC World Europa, will take place on Sunday 13 November in Doha, Qatar. MSC World Europa will also inaugurate the port of Doha’s Grand Cruise Terminal.

The brand new Grand Cruise Terminal is a state-of-the-art, 24,000-square-metre facility that can handle up to 28,000 passengers and two mega-cruise ships a day.

Commenting on the announcement, MSC Group executive chairman, Cruise Division Pierfrancesco Vago said: “We are incredibly proud that in November we will name the world’s largest environmentally-focused cruise passenger ship in Doha. MSC World Europa represents the future of cruising, a totally new platform that will provide our guests with an unforgettable cruise not experienced anywhere before, so it is fitting that this monumental event will take place in one of the seven new Urban Wonders of the World and inaugurate the city’s magnificent new Grand Cruise Terminal."

Swiss filmmaker Bernard Weber established the initiative to name the top seven cities in the world for their urban skylines, and the winners announced in Dubai in 2014 were Beirut, Lebanon; Doha, Qatar; Durban, South Africa; Havana, Cuba; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; La Paz, Bolivia and Vigan, Philippines.

Vago continued: “Qatar will continue to play an important role in our strategy to expand our presence in the broader Gulf region as we see greater demand from our guests to visit this culturally rich part of the world. And it is only fitting that this event marks the coming into service of the highly anticipated MSC World Europa, the first in our trailblazing World Class of ships that introduces a completely new cruising platform with future-proof marine and onboard hospitality technologies, state-of-the-art environmental technologies, as well as ground-breaking, ultramodern design.

"The ship will become the biggest and most environmentally high-performing passenger ship to sail out of Doha and across the Middle East and welcome guests from around the world for the winter 2022/2023 season.”

Qatar Tourism chairman and Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar has taken important steps to position itself as a world-class destination for cruise passengers and the naming ceremony of MSC World Europa in Doha is another landmark event as we grow this important tourism sector.

"As Qatar places great importance on sustainability, it is fitting that we host this ceremony for such an environmentally focused cruise ship. In addition, the new Grand Cruise Terminal is a state-of-the-art facility that firmly puts Qatar on the map for cruise ships and positions Doha as one of the most modern ports in the world.”

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MSC World Europa will make her maiden voyage on 20 December, 2022 offering seven-night cruises with calls at Doha in Qatar; Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island in the UAE, and Dammam in Saudi Arabia.

The announcement is part of MSC’s overall commitment to Qatar and the continued importance of the Middle East, where MSC Cruises is brand leader, and also supports Qatar’s Vision 2030 pledge to triple the number of international tourists visiting the country by that year.

For more information, visit www.msccruises.com