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Meyer Werft to present a concept of battery-electric cruise ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 09 April 2026 09 April 2026

At Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, USA, the Meyer Werft Group is presenting Project Vision, the world’s first 100% battery‑electric cruise ship with a size of more than 80,000 gross tons. The concept study demonstrates how sustainable innovations can redefine the future of cruise industry.

“We asked ourselves how we can use innovation to reduce CO₂ and contribute to decarbonization — not in 50 years, but much sooner. We enable a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 95%,” explains Tim Krug from the Meyer Werft Concept Development Group. Every year, Meyer Werft presents an entirely new and innovative concept at Seatrade Cruise Global, the world’s largest industry trade show, underlining its position as a technological leader.

Johannes Bade, responsible at Meyer Werft for the development program behind Vision, adds: “With battery‑electric cruise ships, we offer a competitive product that relies on existing technologies. We are opening up entirely new opportunities for our customers to operate sustainably and profitably in the long term.” Project Vision is 275 meters long, accommodates 1,856 passengers, and has a size of around 82,000 gross tons.

The battery system is supplied by Corvus Energy from Norway. “We are pleased to have Corvus Energy — the pioneer in safe and reliable battery systems for ships, having equipped more than half of the world’s hybrid and fully electric seagoing vessels — at our side. The technology is available today. If ordered this year, we could already deliver the first ship in 2031,” says Thomas Weigend, Chief Sales Officer at Meyer Werft.

“Our close collaboration with Meyer Werft and the combination of our capabilities demonstrated with the ‘Vision’ is the natural evolution of battery technology — and a defining moment for the cruise industry. Scaling to fully electric cruise ships shows the world that the technology is safe, mature and ready to change the game”, adds Fredrik Witte, CEO of Corvus Energy.

With the battery system, a large portion of typical European cruise routes can be covered, for example the route from Barcelona to Civitavecchia near Rome. By 2030, around one hundred ports across Europe will offer the required charging infrastructure. Upon request, the ships can also be built as hybrids with small generators, enabling, for example, transatlantic crossings.

Project Vision also introduces new architectural approaches to cruise ship design: the vertical shaft running through the ship for exhaust treatment and the funnel — which usually occupies parts of the sun deck — can be completely eliminated. This enables an entirely new sun deck design with unobstructed views. The Vision concept study is designed as an all‑weather ship and includes fully glazed, weather‑protected areas. For example, the typical aqua park has been arranged as an indoor area at the stern, making it usable year‑round.

Another major advantage of the fully battery‑electric power system and the elimination of main engines: the onboard comfort improves significantly, with even fewer engine noises and vibrations on the Vision.

Fincantieri and Viking float out the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 20 March 2026 20 March 2026

Viking yesterday announced that the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions, was floated out, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Scheduled for delivery in November 2026, the Viking Libra will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

“The float out of the Viking Libra represents another milestone for Viking and our continued partnership with Fincantieri,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “From the beginning, our approach to ship design has focused on reducing fuel consumption, and the Viking Libra is our most environmentally friendly vessel yet. Investing in hydrogen was a principled choice for Viking, offering a true zero‑emission solution, and we look forward to welcoming the world’s first hydrogen‑powered cruise ship to our fleet.”

The float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out of the Viking Libra began when a ceremonial cord was cut that signaled water to flow into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set the Viking Libra afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out. The ceremony was attended by Fincantieri’s Gilberto Tobaldi, Director of the Ancona Shipyard, as well as members of the Viking team, including Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President of Product, and Enrico Prunotto, Senior Vice President of Ocean Passenger Operations, who thanked the shipyard on behalf of Viking.

Classified as a small ship, as are all Viking ocean ships, the Viking Libra has a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons, with 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests. While considered a sister ship in Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet, the Viking Libra will have a propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. This hybrid propulsion system will make its capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions, which would allow her to access even the most environmentally sensitive areas. Enabled by Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), Fincantieri’s subsidiary specializing in advanced fuel cell technology, the ship’s state-of-the-art propulsion system will be capable of producing up to six megawatts of power. The Company’s subsequent ocean ship, the Viking Astrea, which is also under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2027, will also be hydrogen-powered and capable of operating with zero emissions.

With a clear focus on creating experiences For The Thinking Person, Viking does not try to be all things to all people. This approach resonates with guests, and recently Viking was rated #1 for Oceans and #1 for Rivers by Condé Nast Traveler for the fifth consecutive year in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure—no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications. Additional recognition includes eight awards in Cruise Critic’s 2025 Best in Cruise Awards and, for the fifth year in a row, top rankings from U.S. News & World Report as “Best Luxury Line,” “Best Line for Couples” and “Best Line in the Mediterranean.” Viking also earned AOL’s Best Cruise Line for 2025 and continues to receive “Recommended” ratings for its ocean ships in Forbes Travel Guide.

Explora Journeys and Fincantieri celebrate triple milestone in Genoa

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 09 March 2026 09 March 2026

Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, today celebrated another important milestone in its mission to redefine high-end hospitality at sea and further strengthen its position in the ultra-luxury travel segment.

During a triple ceremony held at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, Italy, Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, was joined by Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri, Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division, and local dignitaries to mark three pivotal stages in the construction of the brand’s next-generation fleet: the float out of Explora IV, the coin ceremony for Explora V, and the steel cutting of Explora VI.

This marks the third triple ceremony for Explora Journeys in just 18 months, reflecting the pace at which the brand’s six-ship fleet is taking shape. With two ships already successfully sailing at full capacity and Explora III on track for delivery and launch in July 2026, four vessels are currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Genoa shipyard.

Today’s triple event reinforces Explora Journeys’ unwavering momentum and its commitment to having six ultra-elegant ships on the water by 2028. For the first time, the entire Explora Journeys fleet now exists across different stages of development, reflecting the brand’s ability to deliver an ambitious vision at pace. Each ship is an emblem of Italian shipbuilding, introducing design innovations and technological improvements that push the boundaries of excellence at sea while generating significant economic and employment benefits for the country.

“For the first time, all six ships in our fleet are either in service or under construction — a defining moment as we bring the ‘Ocean State of Mind’ to life on an even greater scale,” said Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys. “These ships realise the Aponte-Vago family's vision of an experience where the ocean itself becomes the destination — inviting wellbeing, discovery and a deeper connection with the ocean. As our fleet grows, we are introducing more discerning guests to a new expression of luxury ocean travel — one that stands in a category of its own and challenges the idea that luxury must always be anchored to land, instead finding its home on the horizon.

This vision is further expressed through Explora Journeys’ new cinematic global campaign, Explore the Ocean State of Mind, unveiled in New York last month. Developed by McCann Paris and brought to life by award-winning director Jonas Lindstroem, it challenges traditional cruise conventions and invites a new generation of affluent travelers to rethink luxury travel. Framing each ship as a five-star floating hotel where the ocean itself becomes the destination, the concept reinforces Explora Journeys’ position in a category of its own, transcending the boundaries between traditional cruises and land-based luxury.

While the ceremony honored the cherished maritime traditions that define the shipbuilding process, it also celebrated the future of Explora Journeys’ next-generation fleet and the brand’s vision for ultra-luxury ocean travel. Two godmothers were appointed for the coin ceremony of Explora V: Captain Serena Melani, representing Explora Journeys, and Alice Gallo from Fincantieri at the Sestri Ponente shipyard. Captain Serena served as the first Master of both Explora I and Explora II, making a significant contribution to the brand’s success, and she will also serve as the Master of Explora III. Additionally, Cristina Bacigalupo from the Fincantieri’s shipyard outfitting workshop in Sestri Ponente served as the godmother for the technical launch of Explora IV, representing the expert craftsmanship behind the ship’s construction.

A legacy in motion

The €3.5 billion investment in Explora Journeys’ six-ship fleet represents a cornerstone of MSC Group’s broader commitment to the Italian maritime sector. When combined with the four MSC Cruises ships previously built by Fincantieri, the Group’s total investment in the shipyard reaches approximately €7 billion. This collaboration continues to uphold an uncompromising standard of seafaring artistry and technical prestige, ensuring that Explora Journeys remains at the forefront of the industry.

The momentum now turns to the highly anticipated Explora III, set to be delivered ahead of schedule this July. Following her delivery, she will embark on a Mediterranean Prelude Journey ahead of its naming ceremony on August 1 at MSC’s new cruise terminal in Barcelona.

With Explora IV and V scheduled to enter service in 2027 and Explora VI following in 2028, each new ship will continue to integrate the highest standards of craftsmanship and innovation.

Environmental features of the Explora fleet

As part of the MSC Group’s Cruise Division, Explora Journeys is committed to taking meaningful, measurable actions that have a long-term positive impact. The Cruise Division is working towards achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for its marine operations by investing in new technology, improving operational efficiency and advancing renewable fuels.

Renewable fuels are a key part of this decarbonization strategy. Explora Journeys considers LNG a fuel that facilitates a direct transition towards drop-in bio-LNG and synthetic LNG, which have the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80%.

Explora III will be the first ship in the fleet with LNG-powered capabilities, reflecting the brand’s efforts to decarbonize its marine operations. Explora IV, V and VI are also being designed with LNG-powered capabilities.

All Explora ships are equipped with shore power capabilities, allowing them to switch off their engines and connect to the local electricity grid while in port, thereby eliminating direct emissions.

Explora Journeys also has a project underway to examine the capability of a large fuel cell transforming LNG into hydrogen and significantly reducing emissions. Explora V will be built to allow for a potential retrofit of the technology in the future whilst Explora VI will be delivered with a fuel cell on board.