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Mina Rashid, Dubai’s man-made cruise terminal, recently welcomed a futuristic, low-carbon fueled cruise ship MSC World Europa, its first call in the Middle East since serving as a floating hotel during the FIFA World Cup.
The ship kicked off the new winter season with a 4-night cruise from Doha to Dubai, cementing Mina Rashid and the Emirate as the region’s premier destination for leisure marine activities.
The vessel, carrying more than 4,500 passengers, and its crew, led by Captain Marco Massa, were welcomed by Esam Ahmad, Senior Manager, Business Management, P&O Marinas. The captain was presented with a bespoke plaque to celebrate the event in the presence of senior officials representing MSC and DP World.
The cruise ship is scheduled to make 14 calls at Mina Rashid Port, bringing more than 189,000 tourists to the emirate, underscoring Dubai’s status as a gateway for regional and international cruise lines.
State-of-the-art ships with a futuristic look
MSC World Europa, powered by LNG, emits 99% less sulfur dioxide (SO2), 85% less nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and 20% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than non-LNG-powered ships, making it the world’s The most futuristic ship ever.
MSC World Europa is also the first cruise ship of its kind to be equipped with LNG-powered fuel cells, helping to further reduce carbon emissions. The 50 kW fuel cell uses solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology to generate electricity and heat using liquefied natural gas. This technology helps the vessel reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% compared to a vessel powered only by traditional LNG engines.
Esam Ahmad, Senior Manager, Business Management, P&O Marinas, said: “The arrival of MSC World Europa in Mina Rashid is a major milestone for the cruise terminal. Taking pride in meeting such unique and advanced needs, we are ready for many more vessels requiring similar services.
“We expect another strong winter for the 2022/2023 season due to strengths in Dubai, including investment in tourism and the expansion of our cruise terminal. At our cruise terminal, we expect port calls to In addition, the inflow of passengers and crew is expected to increase to around 600,000 people, more than double the number recorded in the previous quarter.”
Saud Mohammed Saeed Hareb, Assistant Manager, International Operations, Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai, commented: “As cruise tourism continues to play a key role in the growth of Dubai’s tourism industry, MSC World Europa’s first call to Mina Rashid further cements Dubai as a cruise hub in the region status.”
“The arrival of this eco-friendly ship is also a fitting reflection of our sustainability-oriented tourism strategy, with the most modern Mina Rashid reflecting the city’s rapid development and relentless efforts to position itself as a global cruise destination .
“We are grateful to our valuable network of public and private sector stakeholders, such as DP World, for their continued collaboration and support, which has resulted in an increasing number of cruise operators looking to dock in the emirate and take advantage of Dubai’s diverse destinations Offering world-class infrastructure, excellent air and sea connectivity, and a strategic location between East and West,” he added.
With a berthing capacity of 454 yachts, including 19 superyacht berths, Mina Rashid attracts some of the largest leisure vessels in the world. Additionally, 24/7 refueling and dock watch, yacht repair services, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of other services to ensure the comfort of the crew and passengers make the cruise terminal an ideal stop.
These capabilities strengthen Mina Rashid’s role in driving Dubai’s tourism industry forward. With a capacity of more than 25,000 passengers per day, the cruise terminal is strategically located, cementing Dubai’s position as the region’s cruise hub.
Additionally, Mina Rashid’s strategic location close to Dubai’s most popular landmarks and tourist hotspots such as Burj Khalifa, the city center makes it the most convenient location for guests of the city. – trade arab news agency
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