MSC Cruises has introduced a new itinerary-planning optimization tool called OptiCruise to curb its fleet-wide emissions by up to 15 percent in 2026. The line developed the new mathematical model with OPTIMeasy, a research company affiliated to the University of Genoa. OPTIMeasy examined numerous factors that influence the planning of each of MSC Cruises’ itineraries to achieve the optimum level of efficiency for a sailing, while maintaining or enhancing guest satisfaction.
Voyage-planning within the global cruise industry has traditionally been heavily weighted towards the attractiveness of ship destinations for potential travelers. OptiCruise broadens the scope substantially to include numerous other aspects that influence an itinerary’s efficiency, including sequencing of the port calls, departure and arrival times at ports, a ship’s speed, the appeal of destinations for a guest, shore excursions and operational costs such as fuel, port charges and food provisions. The tool’s algorithms use all of the information to identify optimized itineraries, which continue to appeal to guests, while allowing for energy efficiency.
Cruise ship itinerary-planning typically takes place two years before a sailing and OptiCruise’s benefits will be evidenced in 2026 when MSC Cruises’ fleet will number 24 ships. MSC Bellissima was chosen to evaluate the prototype technology over a 12-month period as the ship sailed between 17 ports in the Mediterranean Sea.
MSC Cruises’ strategy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 for its marine operations is focused on three key areas: ship and engine technology, operational efficiency and renewable fuels. OptiCruise comes under the operational efficiency focus with the cruise line making greater use of digitalization to drive efficiencies in energy consumption.
OptiCruise was developed as part of the European Union-funded Project CHEK, which was established to investigate and trial several low-carbon shipping opportunities including energy technologies and innovative ship designs. The mathematical model was accepted for development by Project CHEK as it was recognized as a factor that could substantially reduce emissions, not just for MSC Cruises but across the entire cruise industry.
The CHEK Project is part of the E.U.’s Horizon research and innovation program and led by the University of Vaasa in Finland. The consortium includes, as well as MSC Cruises, the World Maritime University, Wärtsilä, Cargill and Lloyds Register, among others.
For more information, visit www.msccruises.com.
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