MSC Cruises and Fincantieri have cut the first steel of MSC Seashore, the first of two MSC Cruises Seaside EVO ships currently on order with the shipbuilder.
At a ceremony in Monfalcone, Italy, MSC Cruises’ executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and Fincantieri chief executive Giuseppe Bono launched the cutting of the first steel of this new ship.
Coming into service in spring 2021, the 169,400 GT MSC Seashore will be the first in its kind, further enriching MSC Cruises’ Seaside Class of ships with new cutting-edge features.
These will include an additional lounge at the aft part; a further enhanced MSC Yacht Club covering three forward decks; specialty restaurants at the level of the promenade at deck eight for dining al fresco while being close to the sea; and a larger number of whirlpools across the ship.
Moreover, the Seaside EVO ships will be equipped with the latest advanced environmental technology, including a selective catalytic reduction system; exhaust gas cleaning technology; state-of-the-art waste management and recycling systems; advanced water treatment systems; and an advanced energy and heat recovery system, as well as other technology and measures to further increase energy efficiency.
Vago said: “With the Seaside Class, we introduced to the market one of the more innovative cruise ship prototypes all-around – our fifth out of six to-date – thus setting a new industry standard for others to follow.
“Today, only one year after MSC Seaside entered into service, we are taking this award-winning concept to the next level by starting the construction of a further evolved and even richer ship.
“MSC Seashore is an example of our commitment to bringing the most innovative and technologically-advanced tonnage to the sea, and will be bestowed with the latest and best maritime and environmental technology available.”
The event marked another milestone in MSC Cruises’ ten-year development plan for 17 additional new ships, with four new ships currently under construction at the same time.
MSC Seashore is the seventh ship to be built under this plan and will become the 19th ship MSC Cruises has built since its inception in 2003.
Additionally, the coming into service of the first Seaside EVO ship will take innovation in cruise ship building to yet another level of excellence, much like the introduction of the original Seaside prototype has set a new standard for the industry to follow.