In Italy, Fincantieri and Viking confirmed that two hydrogen-powered cruise ships—the Viking Libra, scheduled for delivery in late 2026, and the Viking Astrea, set for 2027—are under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, and announced a new agreement to build two additional ships for 2031, with options for two more.
The Viking Libra will be the first cruise ship in the world to operate using hydrogen stored onboard, powering both propulsion and onboard electricity through fuel cells capable of generating up to six megawatts of zero-emission power. Each vessel will measure 239 meters in length, weigh approximately 54,300 gross tons, and accommodate 998 guests in 499 staterooms.
Fuel cell systems will be supplied by Isotta Fraschini Motori, a Fincantieri subsidiary specializing in polymer electrolyte membrane technology. Hydrogen will be stored onboard using a containerized system.
“With the Viking Libra, we are not only delivering the world’s first cruise ship powered by hydrogen stored on board, but we are also reinforcing our commitment to shaping the future of sustainable maritime transportation,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri.
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Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
