Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri and the Cruise Divison of the MSC Group have marked construction milestones for three new eco-friendly Explora Journeys ships.
As informed, the ceremonies related to the Explora Journeys fleet were held in Genoa, Italy. The MSC Group celebrated the delivery of Explora II, the coin ceremony for Explora III, and the steel cutting for Explora IV.
The Explora Journeys fleet currently includes six ships, with the first delivered in July 2023. All vessels are built in Italy by Fincantieri, with a total MSC investment exceeding €3.5 billion, of which around €500 million was allocated for Explora II.
Four of the cruise ships – including Explora III and Explora IV, currently under construction at the Sestri Ponente yard – will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Furthermore, these units are ready to use bio-LNG and renewable synthetic LNG once they become widely available in the maritime sector. The last two ships – Explora V and Explora VI, to be delivered in 2027 and 2028 – will also be LNG-powered.
Additionally, there is a project underway for both to have a large fuel cell capacity capable of transforming renewable LNG into hydrogen and significantly reducing emissions, according to Fincantieri.
“We are delighted to continue our growth in the luxury segment, taking delivery today of the second of six Explora Journeys ships, while the third and fourth are already under construction at this shipyard. These vessels represent a combination of innovation and sustainability and are part of an important expansion plan for our new European luxury brand,” Pierfrancesco Vago , Executive Chairman of the MSC Group’s Cruise Division, commented.
“We are proud to deliver EXPLORA II, which represents not only a technological advancement, but also serves as a symbol of our vision for a sustainable and innovative future, as well as an extraordinary example of Italian design. The partnership with MSC, consolidated through the construction of the iconic Explora Journeys ships, demonstrates Fincantieri’s leadership in the luxury cruise segment. Together with the MSC Group, we continue to set new standards of excellence and sustainability for the global cruise industry by pioneering technologies that will drive the boundaries of innovation even further,” Pierroberto Folgiero , Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Fincantieri, said.