Ships of pure innovation
Behind their easily identifiable designs, MSC World class ships hide technological innovations born from the work of Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s R&D teams.
Ships of this series, the first one of which will be delivered in 2022, are all equipped with liquified natural gas (LNG) propulsion system. Also known as methane, the gas is stored at -160 °C in 2,300 m3 twin tanks. Used as a fuel, it allows to drastically reduce the environmental impact of the ships.
Compared to the same ship but equipped with scrubbers (a type of air pollution control device) and using regular fuel, a cruise ship working with LNG will release way less polluting emission:
- 99% sulfur oxides,
- 85% nitrogen oxides,
- 99% fine particles,
- -25% of CO2.
The amount of gas in the tanks allows for 7 to 10 days of autonomy, which is more than enough for a cruising journey. In addition, these ships carry additional marine diesel fuel, enough to sustain a whole week in the absence of proper LNG supply.
A world premiere: the usage of a solid oxide fuel cell powered by LNG.
Besides the environmental aspect, LNG also comes with a great advantage. It can be combined with other sources of energy. Thus, during their research towards the development of a zero-emission cruise ship, Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s teams started a multi-partenarial project called PACBOAT, based on the technologies developed by CEA (Atomic Energy and Alternatives Energies Commission). The installed 50 kW SOFC (Solid Oxyde Fuel Cell) demonstrator will produce electricity and heat from LNG and will allow a reduction of greenhouse gaz emission, and bring nitrogen and sulfur oxides, as well as fine particles, emissions to zero.