MSC Cruises has ordered two more LNG-powered ‘World’ class vessels from French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
They will complement the four already delivered or under construction thus bringing the class up to six vessels.
The two new vessels – currently referred to as ‘World Class 5’ and ‘6’ – will be delivered in 2029 and 2030, respectively.
They will join ‘MSC World Europa’ and ‘MSC World America’, along with ‘MSC World Asia’ and ‘MSC World Atlantic’, which are currently under construction and will be delivered in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
In April, ‘MSC World America’ entered service from Miami to usher in a new world of cruising from the US with its blend of European style and American comfort. ‘MSC World Atlantic’ will offer cruises from Port Canaveral when she joins MSC Cruises’ fleet in 2027.
The two new orders are still subject to financing, as per industry practice.
MSC Cruises’ first LNG-powered ship, ‘MSC World Europa’ entered service in November, 2022 and the latest ship in the ‘World’ class series, ‘MSC World America’ made her debut in April, 2025 and is operating in the North American cruise market.
There are currently two vessels under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, ‘MSC World Asia’ and ‘MSC World Atlantic’. They will be delivered in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
All of the ‘World’ class ships feature dual fuel engines and as bio and synthetic fuels become available at scale, the cruise ships’ emissions will be further reduced.
