MSC Group joins project to develop hydrogen-powered cruise ship

The cruise division of Switzerland-based MSC Group, Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, and energy infrastructure company Snam have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly determine the conditions for the design and construction of what would become the world’s first oceangoing hydrogen-powered cruise ship.

The partners will initially carry out a study that will assess the feasibility of designing and building a cruise ship powered by hydrogen, which would allow zero-emissions operations in certain areas, as well as the development of the related hydrogen bunkering infrastructure.

Key factors will be studied over the next 12 months in fulfilment of the terms of the MOU. These include arranging ship spaces to accommodate H2 technologies and fuel cells, technical parameters of onboard systems, calculating the potential greenhouse gas emissions savings, and a technical and economic analysis of hydrogen supply and infrastructure.