July 2022

 

The Eastern Mediterranean has many busy cargo and cruise lanes that overlap directly with places where whales are feeding, giving birth, nursing their young or travelling between feeding and breeding grounds. Ship strikes in these areas are known to be one of the leading causes of injury and death to endangered and vulnerable sperm whale populations. 

To avoid the risk of collision MSC took the initiative to re-route cargo and cruise ships on the west coast of Greece to help protect the hundreds of endangered sperm whales that live in the area.
The change is small and has no noticeable impact on the guests on their cruise. However, if made by all ships sailing in this area, such a minor change may lead to amazing achievements with an estimated reduction in the risk of collisions with sperm whales of up to 75% . 

It is also the noise of engines that can disrupt communications between the whales and disorient them. To avoid this underwater noise, whales may leave areas where food is plentiful, or calmer waters that offer protection for looking after their young. When this happens, whales and their calves may not get the chance to feed or rest and gain strength, which might put their long-term survival at risk. Our ships are designed to help minimize noise and vibration, for both the comfort of those onboard and to reduce the impact on sea life. The design of the hull of MSC Grandiosa and MSC Virtuosa together with internal equipment placement and noise suppression buffering allowed both these ships to be certified to the Underwater Radiated Noise notation by Bureau Veritas.

We are committed to charting new routes and improve the design and technical features of our ships in our drive for sustainability - to ensure that we look after not just those who we carry as passengers, but also the marine life that we share our oceans with.