MSC Cruises has published its 2022 Sustainability Report, highlighting its progress in sustainability practices through the year.
The sustainability strategy is based on the material assessment carried out in 2019 and revisited in 2021.
This process has ensured that MSC Cruises’ attention is focused on issues of the most significant importance to the company’s external and internal stakeholders and where its impact on the world means that it has a responsibility to act.
MSC’s Sustainability Action Plan is focused on six priority work streams with progress on specific actions included in the report to ensure that the company is accountable for delivering them.
These six areas are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims – a shared vision for the role that individuals, businesses and governments must play in transitioning to a sustainable world.
The Sustainability Advisory Board for the Cruise Division of MSC Group, is chaired by Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago. The Board is responsible for ensuring the continued relevance of the sustainability strategy and for reviewing progress, guided and supported by the Sustainability Team.
Linden Coppell, MSC Cruises’ Sustainability Vice President (pictured), said: “To ensure the appropriateness and continued relevance of our Sustainability Strategy and our Sustainability Action Plan, we are in ongoing dialogue with our employees, guests, and key external stakeholders.
“Through this listening exercise, we can ensure that our current focus areas are appropriate and identify any new areas as they arise – while we closely monitor the progress on the six key pillars of our action plan,” she said.
In 2022, progress was achieved in all areas of MSC Cruises’ Sustainability Action Plan, the highlights of which included:
PLANET – Transitioning to net zero emissions, improving local air quality, and scrutinising resource use and waste.
MSC Cruises is fully committed to playing its part in addressing climate change and promoting ocean biodiversity. The company is actively accelerating efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Through close collaboration with technology companies, shipyards, and fuel providers, MSC said that it strived to push the limits of innovation and explore new possibilities.
A giant step on this journey was introducing the inaugural LNG-powered ship in 2022, marking a significant milestone towards a more sustainable future.
MSC remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a more environmentally responsible cruise industry, the company said.
PLACE – Supporting sustainable destinations, developing terminals.
MSC’s cruises allow people to visit some of the most beautiful and exciting destinations the world has to offer. The company said that it wants to deliver positive social and economic outcomes for the local communities visited.
Investments in developing new sustainable cruise terminals are creating jobs and bringing new visitors to these places. MSC is also an active supporter of destination stewardship and continued to work collaboratively with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and other cruise lines to manage visitor numbers and support the sustainable tourism aspirations of the destinations visited.
MSC is a member of the CEO-led Sustainability Committee and the Sustainability Task Force of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which works closely with travel industry partners to develop and implement sustainable solutions.
PEOPLE – Supporting the company’s people, and crew’s well-being.
MSC’s number one priority is keeping passengers and crew safe and well. The company said that it was proud of the excellent healthcare offered on the ships, and, although COVID-19 is no longer the threat it was, exemplary hygiene practices are maintained.
The company also has a comprehensive safety management system (SMS) in place and aims to identify risks enabling action to be taken before incidents occur.
MSC’s crew play a very important role in making the guest experience a success, and they know how important it is to support passengers’ well-being.
All the necessary training people need to do a good job and also support those with high potential who want to grow their careers with the company is undertaken.
PROCUREMENT – Procuring with a responsibility to the environment.
Every year, MSC procures thousands of different items to run the operations – from engine parts to hand soap, and crew uniforms to food and drink. The company must move supplies to the ships, which are constantly moving.
In 2022, MSC’s Sustainable Procurement Committee initiated a comprehensive review of the procurement processes and practices to identify opportunities to improve sustainability performance.
The company said that it is striving to go beyond specific programmes – such as eliminating single-use plastics on board – and shift the mindset of its buyer community so that every purchasing decision is made with the environment and worker wellbeing in mind.
