MSC Poesia in tune with the environment - Press Releases

[MSC Cruises News]

MSC Cruises Has Just Posted the Following:

With the scheduled launch of MSC Poesia in 2008, MSC Cruises - one of the world's fastest growing cruise companies - is set to introduce a new, unique, patented foul-release coatings system, Intersleek® 900. This new hull coating demonstrates MSC Cruises's continuing commitment to the environment.

Just one of many features, the ship will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology that not only complies with strict legislation but significantly reduces any negative impact on the environment while safeguarding passenger comfort. MSC Poesia will be joined later in the year by ‘Ecoship' MSC Fantasia; another step closer to providing the most modern and environmentally-friendly fleet by 2010.

So what are the key features?

• Intersleek® 900: MSC is the first company to apply this revolutionary biocide-free, foul-release coatings system to a newly-built cruise ship. Applied to the submerged part of the hull, this system will be of benefit to the environment through reduced CO² emissions, fuel efficiency, paint consumption and the leaching of biocides. What's more, the coating also enhances the ship's performance.
• Oil and Fuel: MSC Poesia is fitted with fuel tanks with the highest standard of equipment for the treatment/retention of oil and fuel wastage, based on MARPOL restrictions.
• Energy saving: the cruise card doubles as the on/off switch for electricity and air conditioning in the cabin. The system disables certain lights, hairdryers and air conditioning when the cabin is unoccupied. This process conserves energy and reduces gas emissions that contribute to the greenhouse effect.
• Bunker: the emissions are purified to guarantee the minimum impact on the environment and health, complying with the Venice Blue Flag agreement, signed by the authorities of Venice.
• Refuse: all onboard waste is treated, including aluminium cans that will be recycled into sheet aluminium in port. In fact, over 15 tonnes of aluminium cans were recycled by MSCCruises in the second half of 2007 alone. On board the ship there are also environmentally-friendly incinerator units for both wood and paper.
• Cleaning products: all the detergents and soaps on board the MSCPoesia are naturally produced and supplied by companies with an environmentally-friendly certificate. The water containing soap is purified and fully cleaned before being discharged into the sea.

MSC Cruises' commitment to the environment is reflected in the numerous certificates it has been awarded.

• ISO 14001 Environmental Protection certificate from Bureau Veritas.
• CLEAN-SEA2 and CLEAN-AIR certificates assigned to ships that care for the environment and follow strict measures for emissions.
• The Venice Blue Flag award which sets the standard for carbon emissions.

Emilio La Scala, General Manager of MSC Cruises Technical Department, said: "This is a very exciting time for us and we are committed as ever to extending our environmentally-responsible practices with our new ship, MSC Poesia. Our key aim is to have the most modern and environmentally-friendly fleet by 2010 and this new ship ensures we are definitely on track. As a European company, we are dedicated to driving improvements within the fleet and our comprehensive green programme ensures compliance with all environmental guidelines without compromising passenger comfort."

MSC Poesia, whose name means "poetry" in Italian, will be launched on 5 April 2008. At 89,600 tonnes and accommodating 2,550 passengers in double-occupancy cabins, with more outside balconies than ever before, MSC Poesia will be a sister ship to the popular MSC Orchestra and MSC Musica (launched in 2007 and 2006, respectively). She will become the ninth ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, which has experienced the industry's largest fleet expansion in the last three years.



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