Viking and shipbuilder Fincantieri have introduced particulars on Viking Libra, which would be the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship. Already beneath building at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, Libra will probably be able to working with zero emissions.
Viking Libra is scheduled for supply in late 2026. The cruise line’s subsequent ship after that, Viking Astrea, which can be presently beneath building and is scheduled for supply in 2027, may also be hydrogen powered.
Classified as a small ship, identical to all of Viking’s different ocean vessels, Viking Libra will are available at about 54,300 gross tons and have 499 staterooms that may accommodate 998 company. While the vessel will nonetheless be thought-about a sister ship to Viking’s present ocean fleet, her propulsion system will probably be totally different, partially based mostly on liquefied hydrogen and gasoline cells. This hybrid propulsion system will make her able to navigating and working with zero emissions — permitting entry to even probably the most environmentally-sensitive areas.
Viking Sea (Photo courtesy of Viking)
Enabled by Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), Fincantieri’s subsidiary specializing in superior gasoline cell know-how, the ship’s state-of-the-art propulsion system will probably be able to producing as much as six megawatts of energy.
“From the outset, we have designed our river and ocean ships thoughtfully to reduce their fuel consumption, and we are very proud the Viking Libra and the Viking Astrea will be even more environmentally friendly,” mentioned Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “Viking made the principled decision to invest in hydrogen, which offers a true zero-emission solution. We look forward to welcoming the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship to our fleet in 2026.”
As a part of Viking’s dedication to develop capability, Viking and Fincantieri additionally introduced right this moment that contracts have been signed for 2 further ocean ships for supply in 2031. There’s additionally an possibility for 2 further ocean ships set for a 2033 supply.
Based on its dedicated orderbook, Viking expects to take supply of 26 further river ships by 2028 and 11 further ocean ships by 2031. With these orders, Viking may have 110 river ships in 2028 and 23 ocean and expedition ships in 2031.
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