Key Aspects:
- For the first time ever, two MSC Group ships connected to shore power in Valletta, Malta, on consecutive days.
- The milestone was celebrated with an event attended by Valletta government officials.
- MSC Group continues to push forward on its journey towards a future of sustainable cruising.
When government officials gather, it’s usually not a good sign.
However, when the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Robert Abela arrived in Valletta alongside other senior government officials on October 16, 2025, it was a cause for celebration.
In a first for the port and the company, two of the MSC Group’s vessels connected to shore power at Valletta’s Grand Harbour back-to-back on consecutive days.
This milestone marks a momentous achievement in sustainability for both Malta and MSC Group’s Cruise Division.
First, in what felt like a reunion of two old friends, the 215,863 gross-ton MSC World Europa hooked up to shore power at the port on October 15.
Making this a full circle moment, MSC World Europa has the distinction of being the first vessel to connect to Valletta’s shore power system back in 2024.
The following day, October 16, Explora II became the first Explora Journeys vessel to connect to shore power in Europe when she docked at Valletta. For context, MSC Group owns both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.
The Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Robert Abela, marked the occasion, joined by senior government officials.
“The shore-power system at the Grand Harbour is a national investment in cleaner air, quieter communities, and sustainable tourism,” said Dr. Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta.
“It is encouraging to see international cruise operators like MSC actively using the facility and helping us set an example for the Mediterranean region.”
MSC Group’s Cruise Division also noted the event, with Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago remarking upon their collaborative history with the Maltese Government.
“Malta was the first Mediterranean port to make shore power operational…,” said Vago.
“We have a strong history of collaboration with the Maltese Government – we thank them for their continued support and are proud to mark this important milestone together,” he continued.
At the same time, just across the harbour, the GreenPort Congress 20th Anniversary & Decarbonising the Future (DTF) Conference 2025 was taking place.
The back-to-back connections provided a backdrop to the conference, highlighting for all in attendance the commitment to sustainability by both Malta and MSC.
Making Strides Toward a Sustainable Future
This milestone in Valletta is just the latest achievement in MSC’s sustainability superstardom.
In fact, Valletta is just one out of fifteen ports MSC identified in 2023 for shore power connectivity as part of their sustainability strategy.
MSC World Europa connects to shore power (Photo Credit: MSC Group)
That strategy seems to be bearing fruit, as the following year, 2024, saw the company more than triple its shore power connections with 142 connections in 13 ports.
Of MSC Group’s Cruise Division’s 25 vessels, 18 are currently equipped to connect to shore power, including all MSC Cruises ships built since 2017.
Read Also: MSC Cruise Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest (2026-2004)
Besides shore power, MSC also remains committed to environmental improvements in other ways throughout their fleet.
Three ships now use LNG fuel, which reduces greenhouse emissions by up to 20%. Two more LNG ships are on the way for MSC, including MSC World Asia, which is set to debut in 2026.
All MSC ships are also equipped with advanced water treatment systems, reducing the amount of air and water pollution contributed by the ships.
Additionally, ships have switched to energy-conserving LED lights onboard and get up to 3 million liters of onboard fresh water from desalinated seawater.
Just last year, MSC partnered with OPTIMeasy, a research company based out of the University of Genoa, to develop OPTICruise, a revolutionary itinerary-planning tool with the potential to cut emission by 15%.
Measures across MSC’s fleet have improved the company’s carbon intensity by nearly 40% since 2008.
With a goal of 40% carbon reduction by 2030 and 100% net-zero emissions by 2050, we expect to continue seeing MSC making strides towards a future of cruising not just on blue oceans, but green ships.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
