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• 2 min de lectura
MSC Cruises has become the first cruise shipping company to obtain independent verification and Flag State recognition of measured methane emissions from LNG-fuelled vessels under the FuelEU Maritime framework, marking a notable development in the regulatory oversight of maritime greenhouse gas emissions.
The certification was granted to MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia by Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore following an assessment process conducted in accordance with IMO Resolution MEPC.402(83).
The development is of particular relevance to shipowners and fleet managers operating LNG-powered tonnage amid tightening European emissions reporting requirements.
Under the verification process, regulatory default assumptions concerning methane slip were replaced with measured operational performance data gathered directly from the vessels.
According to the certification results, World Europa recorded a methane slip value of 1.67%, while Euribia achieved 1.48%. Both figures remained below the 3.1% default value referenced in Annex II of the FuelEU Maritime regulation.
Verification procedures included onboard exhaust gas measurements, the examination of engine-specific methane emissions documentation, and the review of dedicated monitoring protocols. Bureau Veritas additionally assessed the vessels' MRV and FuelEU compliance plans before issuing Statements of Compliance intended to support alignment with both EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime obligations.
The outcome provides operators with a more precise assessment of dual-fuel LNG engine performance under actual service conditions, rather than relying on theoretical regulatory estimates.
Michele Francioni (MSC's Chief Energy Transition Officer) indicated that the certification represented a significant step in the industry's approach to methane emissions measurement and reporting. He stated that the use of independently verified operational data in place of default assumptions strengthened both the accuracy and credibility of FuelEU Maritime emissions reporting.
The certification may also carry broader implications for compliance planning across the cruise and cargo shipping sectors, as verified emissions performance can influence fuel management strategies, regulatory exposure and long-term fleet investment decisions amid increasing scrutiny of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.
Paillette Palaiologou, Senior Vice President for East Europe, Mediterranean Sea, Middle East, India and Africa at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, stated that the replacement of default assumptions with verified emissions data could support more effective compliance planning, operational optimisation and improved confidence in vessel efficiency as the maritime industry progresses toward net-zero greenhouse gas targets.
MSC further indicated that it continues to evaluate a range of alternative fuels and emerging technologies as part of its broader long-term energy transition programme.
Fuente: Cruise Mapper
