Fire safety concerns delay delivery and entry into service of MSC’s new luxury brand.

The Financial Times has reported that concerns over fire safety have led to the delay of MSC’s new luxury brand, Explora Journeys. The delivery and entry into service of the brand’s first cruise ship, Explora I, have been postponed due to issues with a supplier of fire-resistant insulation. Initially, the delays were attributed to problems with suppliers and the fitting out of the vessel. However, it is now revealed that two products from Finnish-based supplier Paroc have lost their safety certifications after recent tests, leading to the recall of the products.

MSC has been working on its luxury brand since 2018 and ordered four cruise ships from Fincantieri in 2019. The first two ships are 813 feet long and can accommodate 922 passengers and 634 crew members. Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive of Explora Journeys, stated that the delayed delivery of the ship is due to certain materials from a third-party supplier not meeting the required safety certifications. The company is working with Fincantieri to resolve the issue.

It is still unclear how extensively the non-compliant insulation was used on the cruise ship. Fincantieri has already commenced the construction of the second ship, Explora II, which is scheduled to enter service in August 2024. Other cruise companies, including Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group, are also investigating whether their ships have used the insulation product from Paroc.

Explora Journeys has removed its July cruise from its website and now shows an August 1, 2023, cruise as the first sailing. No announcement has been made regarding the revised plans for the delivery or the naming ceremony. The cruise industry, along with other sections of the shipping industry, is working to understand the full extent of the issue, as Paroc identified up to 45 ships that have received the non-compliant products.

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