MSC Group’s Cruise Division has published its 2024 Sustainability Report reaffirming its commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
This was accompanied by an independently verified Energy Transition Plan (ETP) to clearly show how the company is working to achieve this.
The report, the sixth edition, highlighted milestones in environmental innovation, responsible tourism, and social impact.
It reflected MSC Group’s Cruise Division’s integrated approach to sustainability for its MSC Cruises’ and Explora Journeys’ brands.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Group’s Cruise Division, said, “As a family business, we do not operate ships just for tomorrow. We sail them for future generations, designed for fuel flexibility, guided by innovation, and powered by people who share our long-term vision.
“The Cruise Division in 2024 reaffirmed its commitment to advancing a bold and transparent sustainability strategy that balances environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic resilience,” he said.
The report included:
- Launching of the Energy Transition Plan for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys’ fleets, outlining interim absolute emissions reduction targets.
This is a published roadmap to achieving net-zero GHG emissions from marine operations by 2050.
- Avoiding 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions through fleet-wide optimisation tools (OptiCruise and Oceanly Performance), which support real-time operational efficiency and itinerary planning.
- An increase in shore power connections from 44 in 2023 to 142 in 2024, across 13 ports.
Since 2017, all of the new ships are shore-power ready with retrofitting continuing across the fleet, and the Cruise Division remains committed to using shore power wherever it’s available.
- An increase in crew retention rate to 89%, up from 83% in 2023, demonstrating the commitment of the Cruise Division to employee engagement and development.
- The formation of a Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, underlining a strong commitment to workforce equity across more than 140 nationalities.
- Continued investment in destinations like Ocean Cay, where environmental stewardship has enabled marine wildlife to thrive and coral restoration is underway.
- Whale strike prevention training for 469 key crew members in conjunction with marine protection charity ORCA to understand more about the species of whale at risk, how to identify them, and take steps to reduce the risk.
- More than 4,500 shore excursions offered in 84 countries, including 284 ‘Protectours’, low-impact experiences.
The report also showed that in 2024, MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys’ fleets together carried 4.6 mill guests and sailed to 341 itineraries in 90 countries.
As MSC Group’s Cruise Division looks to the future, it remains focused on scaling clean energy solutions, retrofitting existing ships, advocating for port infrastructure investments, and collaborating across the maritime sector to accelerate the global energy transition, the company claimed.
Vago added, “There is no single solution to de-carbonisation. It is a puzzle we solve piece by piece – with new technology, operational excellence, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to move forward.”
