Viking and Fincantieri Announce World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ship and Two New Ship Orders
Viking (NYSE: VIK) and Fincantieri have announced groundbreaking developments in sustainable cruising with the Viking Libra, the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, set to debut in late 2026. The vessel will feature a hybrid propulsion system utilizing liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells, enabling zero-emission operations.
The Viking Libra, classified as a small ship with 54,300 tons gross tonnage, will accommodate 998 guests in 499 staterooms. The ship's advanced propulsion system, developed by Fincantieri's subsidiary Isotta Fraschini Motori, will generate up to six megawatts of power.
Additionally, Viking has ordered a second hydrogen-powered ship, the Viking Astrea, for 2027 delivery, plus two more ocean vessels for 2031 and options for two more in 2033. The company's expansion plans include 26 additional river ships by 2028 and 11 ocean ships by 2031, bringing their total fleet to 110 river ships and 23 ocean and expedition vessels.
Viking (NYSE: VIK) e Fincantieri hanno annunciato sviluppi innovativi nella crociera sostenibile con la Viking Libra, la prima nave da crociera al mondo alimentata a idrogeno, che debutterà alla fine del 2026. La nave presenterà un sistema di propulsione ibrido che utilizza idrogeno liquefatto e celle a combustibile, consentendo operazioni a zero emissioni.
La Viking Libra, classificata come nave di piccole dimensioni con 54.300 tonnellate di stazza lorda, ospiterà 998 ospiti in 499 cabine. Il sistema di propulsione avanzato della nave, sviluppato dalla sussidiaria di Fincantieri Isotta Fraschini Motori, genererà fino a sei megawatt di potenza.
Inoltre, Viking ha ordinato una seconda nave alimentata a idrogeno, la Viking Astrea, prevista per la consegna nel 2027, oltre a due ulteriori navi oceaniche per il 2031 e opzioni per altre due nel 2033. I piani di espansione dell'azienda includono 26 navi fluviali aggiuntive entro il 2028 e 11 navi oceaniche entro il 2031, portando la loro flotta totale a 110 navi fluviali e 23 navi oceaniche ed esplorative.
Viking (NYSE: VIK) y Fincantieri han anunciado desarrollos innovadores en cruceros sostenibles con el Viking Libra, el primer barco de crucero del mundo propulsado por hidrógeno, que debutará a finales de 2026. La embarcación contará con un sistema de propulsión híbrido que utiliza hidrógeno licuado y pilas de combustible, permitiendo operaciones sin emisiones.
El Viking Libra, clasificado como un barco pequeño con 54,300 toneladas de registro bruto, acomodará a 998 huéspedes en 499 camarotes. El avanzado sistema de propulsión del barco, desarrollado por la subsidiaria de Fincantieri Isotta Fraschini Motori, generará hasta seis megavatios de potencia.
Además, Viking ha encargado un segundo barco propulsado por hidrógeno, el Viking Astrea, para entrega en 2027, además de dos barcos oceánicos más para 2031 y opciones para otros dos en 2033. Los planes de expansión de la empresa incluyen 26 barcos fluviales adicionales para 2028 y 11 barcos oceánicos para 2031, llevando su flota total a 110 barcos fluviales y 23 barcos oceánicos y de expedición.
Viking (NYSE: VIK)와 핀칸티에리는 2026년 말 첫 수소 연료 크루즈선인 Viking Libra의 지속 가능한 크루즈에 대한 혁신적인 발전을 발표했습니다. 이 선박은 액화 수소와 연료 전지를 사용하는 하이브리드 추진 시스템을 갖추고 있어 제로 배출 작동이 가능합니다.
Viking Libra는 54,300톤의 총 톤수를 가진 소형 선박으로, 998명의 손님을 499개의 객실에 수용할 수 있습니다. 핀칸티에리의 자회사인 이소타 프라스키니 모토리에서 개발한 선박의 고급 추진 시스템은 최대 6메가와트의 전력을 생성할 것입니다.
또한, Viking은 2027년 인도를 위한 두 번째 수소 연료 선박인 Viking Astrea를 주문했으며, 2031년을 위한 두 개의 추가 해양 선박과 2033년을 위한 두 개의 추가 옵션도 포함되어 있습니다. 회사의 확장 계획에는 2028년까지 26척의 추가 강 선박과 2031년까지 11척의 해양 선박이 포함되어 있어, 총 함대는 110척의 강 선박과 23척의 해양 및 탐사 선박으로 증가할 것입니다.
Viking (NYSE: VIK) et Fincantieri ont annoncé des développements révolutionnaires dans le domaine de la croisière durable avec le Viking Libra, le premier navire de croisière au monde propulsé à hydrogène, qui fera ses débuts fin 2026. Le navire sera équipé d'un système de propulsion hybride utilisant de l'hydrogène liquéfié et des piles à hydrogène, permettant des opérations sans émissions.
Le Viking Libra, classé comme un petit navire avec 54 300 tonnes de jauge brute, pourra accueillir 998 passagers dans 499 cabines. Le système de propulsion avancé du navire, développé par la filiale de Fincantieri Isotta Fraschini Motori, générera jusqu'à six mégawatts de puissance.
De plus, Viking a commandé un deuxième navire propulsé à hydrogène, le Viking Astrea, pour une livraison en 2027, ainsi que deux autres navires océaniques pour 2031 et des options pour deux autres en 2033. Les plans d'expansion de l'entreprise comprennent 26 navires fluviaux supplémentaires d'ici 2028 et 11 navires océaniques d'ici 2031, portant leur flotte totale à 110 navires fluviaux et 23 navires océaniques et d'expédition.
Viking (NYSE: VIK) und Fincantieri haben bahnbrechende Entwicklungen im Bereich nachhaltiger Kreuzfahrten mit der Viking Libra angekündigt, dem weltweit ersten mit Wasserstoff betriebenen Kreuzfahrtschiff, das Ende 2026 seine Premiere feiern wird. Das Schiff wird über ein hybrides Antriebssystem verfügen, das flüssigen Wasserstoff und Brennstoffzellen nutzt und emissionsfreies Fahren ermöglicht.
Die Viking Libra, die als kleines Schiff mit 54.300 Tonnen Bruttoraumzahl klassifiziert ist, wird 998 Gäste in 499 Kabinen unterbringen. Das fortschrittliche Antriebssystem des Schiffs, das von der Tochtergesellschaft Isotta Fraschini Motori von Fincantieri entwickelt wurde, wird bis zu sechs Megawatt Leistung erzeugen.
Darüber hinaus hat Viking ein zweites wasserstoffbetriebenes Schiff, die Viking Astrea, für die Lieferung im Jahr 2027 bestellt sowie zwei weitere Ozeanschiffe für 2031 und Optionen für zwei weitere im Jahr 2033. Die Expansionspläne des Unternehmens umfassen 26 zusätzliche Flusskreuzfahrtschiffe bis 2028 und 11 Ozeanschiffe bis 2031, wodurch die gesamte Flotte auf 110 Flusskreuzfahrtschiffe und 23 Ozean- und Expeditionsschiffe anwachsen wird.
- First-mover advantage in zero-emission cruise technology
- Significant fleet expansion with 37 new vessels ordered through 2031
- Investment in sustainable technology potentially reducing future environmental compliance costs
- Access to environmentally sensitive areas expanding cruise destinations
- High capital investment required for new technology implementation
- Potential operational risks with new hydrogen propulsion technology
- Significant fleet expansion may increase debt burden
Insights
Viking's announcement of the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ships represents a significant technological leap for the cruise industry. The Viking Libra's hybrid propulsion system, capable of producing up to six megawatts of power through fuel cells, addresses the industry's most pressing environmental challenge - emissions reduction. This positions Viking as a first-mover in zero-emission cruising technology.
The strategic decision to invest in hydrogen rather than alternative fuels is particularly noteworthy. Unlike LNG, which reduces but doesn't eliminate carbon emissions, hydrogen offers a pathway to truly zero-emission operations. This will likely provide Viking with access privileges to environmentally sensitive destinations increasingly implementing stricter emissions regulations.
The technological partnership with Fincantieri and its subsidiary Isotta Fraschini Motori demonstrates Viking's commitment to advanced engineering solutions. The smaller vessel size (54,300 tons with 499 staterooms) makes this a more manageable test case for hydrogen implementation compared to mega-ships.
Beyond the environmental benefits, this represents a significant differentiation strategy in the premium cruise market, where environmental credentials are increasingly important to the target demographic. Viking's ambitious fleet expansion to 23 ocean vessels by 2031 signals confidence that this technological investment will yield market advantages worth the substantial capital expenditure.
Viking's announcement signals an aggressive growth strategy with substantial fleet expansion plans. The company's committed orderbook now extends to 26 additional river ships by 2028 and 11 ocean ships by 2031, with options for more vessels through 2033. This represents one of the industry's most ambitious capacity growth plans post-pandemic.
The investment in hydrogen propulsion technology likely carries premium costs compared to conventional systems, but offers strategic advantages including: regulatory compliance future-proofing, differentiation in the premium market segment, and potential operational cost benefits as hydrogen infrastructure matures and carbon pricing mechanisms expand globally.
Viking's partnership with Fincantieri demonstrates vertical integration with a key supplier, potentially securing preferential construction slots during a period of high demand for new builds across the cruise sector. While specific financial terms weren't disclosed, this long-term commitment suggests Viking has secured favorable pricing in exchange for production certainty.
The expansion to 110 river ships and 23 ocean/expedition vessels positions Viking to capture significant market share in the luxury small-ship segment, where demand has proven resilient. The environmental innovation creates potential for premium pricing power while simultaneously reducing exposure to future carbon taxation - a strategic hedge against regulatory headwinds facing the wider cruise industry.
Debuting in 2026, the Viking Libra Will Be Capable of Operating with Zero Emissions; New Ship Orders Would Bring Viking’s Ocean Fleet to 21 Ocean Ships by 2031
Viking and Fincantieri today announced details of the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, capable of operating with zero emissions. Already under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, the Viking Libra is scheduled for delivery in late 2026. Pictured here, a sister ship in Viking's ocean fleet sailing in the Norwegian Fjords. For more information, visit www.viking.com.
Classified as a small ship, as are all Viking ocean ships, the Viking Libra will have a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons, with 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests. While the ship is considered a sister ship in Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet, she will have a propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. This hybrid propulsion system will make her 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.
“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,” said 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.”
"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. “Furthermore, we are thrilled about Viking’s decision to expand its fleet with the order of two additional ships, which reaffirms the strength of our partnership, and the trust placed in our expertise. This new order is a testament to our shared vision for a more sustainable cruise industry, as together we continue to set new standards for innovation and responsible shipbuilding."
Viking remains focused on its well-defined long-term growth plans and committed to its strategy, continuing to be a global leader in experiential travel. As part of the Company’s commitment to continue to grow capacity, Viking and Fincantieri also today announced that contracts have been signed for two additional ocean ships for delivery in 2031 and an option for two additional ocean ships for delivery in 2033. Based on the committed orderbook, the Company expects to take delivery of 26 additional river ships by 2028 and 11 additional ocean ships by 2031. With these orders, Viking will have 110 river ships in 2028 and 23 ocean and expedition ships in 2031.
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About Viking
Viking (NYSE: VIK) was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans, and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2023 and 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking’s award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.
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Email: vikingpr@edelman.com
Source: Viking
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