Explora Orders Hybrid Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ships

MSC’s Explora Journeys cruise line has ordered two next-generation, hybrid hydrogen-powered cruise ships from Italian shipyard Fincantieri. port. The two newbuilds are scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028 respectively and will be completely emission free when docked in port. The line also announced that Explora III and Explora IV will operate on LNG and liquid hydrogen as well. 

Explora V and Explora VI will feature a new generation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines that eliminate the issue of methane slip and include a containment system for liquid hydrogen that will enable them to use the low-carbon fuel for powering the ship while in port.

With the order of the two new ships the line will sail a fleet of six ships by the end of 2028. Four of the six will be powered by the hybrid LNG/liquid hydrogen system. Because these ships must be larger to accommodate the hybrid generator systems, the line will also be adding more suites and larger public spaces.

“Explora Journeys is building ships for tomorrow, utilizing today’s latest technologies and being ready to adapt to alternative energy solutions as they become available,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the cruise division of MSC Group. “The announcement today marks another significant step forward in our goal as a business to reach net zero emissions by 2050 across all our cruise operations for the two brands…”