Smooth Sailing for MSC with GE Marine On Board
When it comes to taking thousands of passengers on the luxury cruise of a lifetime, it’s reassuring to have a name like GE ensuring you a smooth and pleasant journey. While MSC with its next generation ships may be setting off to conquer more distant waters, it won’t be making the voyage alone: GE Marine will continue to propel the way.
Since confirming in 2014 the order for two new cruise liners to be delivered by Fincantieri in 2017 and 2018, GE has now been selected to lead the Italian consortium that will power MSC Crociere’s planned ‘Seaside’ platform. The two new cruise ships will join the existing fleet of 12 vessels, all of which use electrical propulsion from GE.
Fincantieri once again is employing sea proven technology from GE Marine that has eliminated the need for harmonic filters and reactive power compensation and therefore offers improved safety among other benefits. The GE solution will also ensure a less complicated installation and cabling process while the reduced weight on board ships brings fuel savings and altogether lowers MSC’s operating costs.
“In an increasingly competitive market it is crucial to keep advancing with safer and more efficient solutions,” said Massimo Costa, VP Head of Purchasing Cruise BU, Fincantieri. “GE Power Conversion produces the right technology to simplify our operation,” added Emilio La Scala, General Manager, MSC Cruisetech.
Leading the project consortium with other Italian partners, GE will provide on-board technology that includes propulsion control along with transformers, VFDs core components, slow speed propulsion motors and distribution transformers.
“We are extremely pleased that Fincantieri and MSC Crociere have once again chosen GE for the propulsion of their ships, and we feel confident that with GE Power Conversion heading up the project we will see a successful outcome.” said Paul English, Marine Leader, GE Power Conversion, “As the popularity of cruise holidays continues to grow,we anticipate the demand for cruise ships to virtually double within a decade. We are excited to be part of this fast growing industry.”
