MSC World Europa, one of the world’s largest cruise ships, experienced a propulsion loss early Monday off the coast of Italy, prompting a rapid response from maritime authorities. The vessel, carrying about 8,585 people in total—6,496 passengers and 2,089 crew—was sailing on a Western Mediterranean itinerary between Genoa and Naples when passengers reported the ship’s engine issue around 5:30 am local time.
The Guardia Costiera (Coast Guard) control centre was alerted at roughly 7:30 am, and two patrol boats along with a helicopter were dispatched to assess the situation. Officials stressed that the ship never faced imminent danger, and the incident was managed without any hull breach or water ingress.
World Europa, introduced in 2022 as MSC’s first ship to surpass 200,000 gross tonnes, is LNG-fueled and uses Azipod propulsion. Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the 1,094-foot (333-meter) behemoth remains among the largest cruise ships afloat, and it sits behind only MSC’s own Icon and Star of the Seas, as well as the Oasis-class vessels, in terms of size.
The ship began drifting about eight miles off the coast of Ponza while technicians and ship’s engineers worked to restore propulsion. Early in the day two tugs, from Gioia Tauro and Naples, were deployed with plans to tow the ship if needed, potentially more than 50 miles to Naples. By mid-afternoon, MSC Cruises reported that partial propulsion had been restored and that coast guard surveyors had cleared the vessel for movement. The ship was then sailing at 15 knots toward Naples under escort, with ongoing work by MSC technicians and plans to continue inspections and repairs.
Passengers remained calm as services continued aboard, with disembarkation and embarkation processes proceeding as crews evaluated the situation. The plan called for World Europa to resume its cruise on Tuesday, with a next port of call set for Messina.
Looking ahead, MSC has been expanding its fleet in line with a broader industry shift toward LNG-powered, large-capacity ships. The company recently introduced Explora Journeys, its ultra-luxury line, and has ordered multiple new vessels to complement its core MSC fleet. Explora I launched in 2023, with Explora II in 2024, and Explora III scheduled for the middle of the decade, followed by Explora IV; LNG propulsion has been incorporated into the design of Explora III and beyond as part of MSC’s sustainability strategy. This broader emphasis on fuel efficiency and greener technology mirrors the industry-wide move toward larger, LNG-powered ships that offer premium guest experiences while reducing emissions.
Passengers aboard World Europa were able to continue enjoying onboard amenities as technicians completed repairs, and MSC indicated that the crew would continue to monitor and address any remaining issues before resuming full operations on the ship’s regular itinerary. The incident underscores the effectiveness of coordinated maritime response efforts and MSC’s ongoing commitment to safety, reliability, and passenger comfort as it expands its global cruise footprint.
Summary: A propulsion issue with MSC World Europa off Italy led to a controlled response by authorities, with partial propulsion restored and the ship proceeding to Naples under escort. The incident highlights both robust safety protocols and MSC’s broader fleet expansion toward LNG-powered, luxury vessels. The ship is expected to resume its Mediterranean itinerary soon, continuing MSC’s growth trajectory in a market increasingly oriented toward sustainable, high-capacity cruising.
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