The new flagship of the Italian-Swiss company MSC Cruises, being completed in Saint-Nazaire, is due to return to sea on Saturday January 18 for its second and normally final sea trial campaign. The delivery of this giant liner, one of the largest in the world, is scheduled for the end of March.
While three other ships under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique are the subject of a major game of musical chairs this week, the MSC World Europa liner is due to set sail on Saturday January 18, in the early morning (around 5 a.m.), for a new sea test trip. The first took place from December 12 to 14 between Saint-Nazaire and Belle-Île. This second and normally final test campaign should be much shorter since the ship, barring unforeseen circumstances, should return to the Loire estuary at 5 p.m. and immediately return to Basin C, where it is currently located.
Equipped with propulsion running on liquefied natural gas (LNG), the MSC World America measures 333 meters long and 47 meters wide. This liner of approximately 216,000 tons, which will be one of the largest in the world, will have 2,614 cabins and suites, for a maximum capacity of 6,700 passengers, served by 2,100 crew members.
This is the second ship in MSC Cruises’ World class, which began with the MSC World Europa, delivered by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in October 2022. The third liner in this series, the future MSC World Asia, is currently being assembled and will enter the fleet in 2026. A fourth will follow in 2027, while a fifth is optional and a sixth envisaged, before new classes of giant liners.
– See our report aboard the MSC World Europa
-© An article from the editorial staff of Mer et Marine. Reproduction prohibited without consent of the author(s).
Morocco
