Cruise ShipsMSC CruisesPast and Present

MSC Orchestra – Past and Present

MSC Orchestra

© MSC Orchestra – Christian Plagué

Steel twin screw ‘Musica Class’ motor vessel built in 2006 by STX France Aker Chantiers de l’Atlantique, St Nazaire, France (Yard No. R32) for MSC Cruise Lines, Genoa, as a Passenger (Cruise) Ship

Technical Data

  • Original Cost: $350 million
  • Length: 293.8 m (overall) 269.14 m (between perpendiculars)
  • Breadth: 32.2 m
  • Depth: 10.6 m
  • Draught: 7.85 m
  • Tonnage: 92409 gross / 61672 net / 10000 deadweight
  • Engines: 5x Wärtsilä type 16V38B diesel/electric generators – total power 58.000 kW
  • Power: Total: 35.000 kW / 47.554 hp
  • Propulsion: 2x Converteam electric motors (17.500 kW each) driving 2x fixed propellers with conventional shafts
  • Speed: 23 knots
  • Capacity: 3013 passengers
  • Crew: 987
  • Passenger Decks: 11
  • Call Sign: 3EJF3
  • MMSI Number: 372497000
  • IMO Number: 9320099
  • Veristar Register Number: 06853B
  • Port of Registry: Panama / Panama City
  • Sister-Ship: MSC Musica, MSC Poesia


Current AIS Location


Please note that this specific vessels AIS position data may be over an hour old and that the vessels position will only be displayed when it is within range of the VesselFinder AIS system. The AIS transponder/ship position data featured on this page is intended for information purposes only and it is in no way related to the 'Safety of Navigation at Sea'. All the AIS ship position data featured within this article is provided by VesselFinder and we are therefore not responsible for its content or its accuracy.


History

November 1st 2004: The construction of the MSC Orchestra commenced under the name L’ATLANTIQUE R32.

September 9th 2006: Floated out at Akers Yard, St. Nazaire, France.

April 30th 2007: Delivered to Compania Naviera Orchestra, S, A, Panama (Mediterranean Shipping Co, Genoa, Italy).

© Cedric Hacke  © Cedric Hacke

© Cedric Hacke

May 2007: Commenced cruising.

© John Wilson  © John Wilson

© John Wilson

© John Wilson

© Nigel Thornton  © Nigel Thornton

© Nigel Thornton

October 24th 2017: To Chantier Naval de Marseille, France, for overhaul which included the fitting of exhaust gas scrubbers to three of her five diesel engines, resulting in a 97% reduction in sulfur dioxide (SOx) emissions.

September 3rd 2018: Due at Dover.

February 20th 2019: Whilst departing the Port of Buenos Aires, Argentina bound for the Uruguayan capital Montevideo the MSC Orchestra made contact with her sistership the MSC Poesia which was berthed adjacent to her. Only minor damage to both ships was reported.

“On 20 February 2019 at 22:11:00 local time, MSC Orchestra undocked to leave the Port of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Due to reasons we are still investigating, the ship deviated from its course while maneuvering out of the port and lightly grazed the forward part of MSC Poesia, which was docked alongside.

“While this may have been noticed by some passengers, there was never any risk for guests or crew on board, and there was no impact for the environment.”

Following the accident, although minor, the Orchestra had to adjust its itinerary on the rest of the cruise.


All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Cedric Hacke, Christian Plagué, Wil Weijsters and John Wilson for their assistance in producing this feature.

Article © Nigel Thornton and Ray Goodfellow (Dover Ferry Photos Group)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to top button