Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and MSC Group’s Cruise Division have celebrated key milestones for their new eco-friendly Explora Journeys fleet. In Genoa, Italy, they marked the delivery of the Explora II, the coin ceremony for Explora III, and the steel cutting for Explora IV.
The Explora Journeys fleet, which includes six ships, began with the delivery of the first vessel in July 2023. All ships are being built by Fincantieri in Italy, with MSC investing over €3,5 billion, including approximately €500 million for Explora II.
Four of these ships, including Explora III and Explora IV, are being constructed with liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion, and will be equipped to use bio-LNG and renewable synthetic LNG in the future. The final two ships, Explora V and VI, set for delivery in 2027 and 2028, will also feature LNG power and are planned to incorporate large fuel cells for converting renewable LNG into hydrogen, enhancing their sustainability.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC’s Cruise Division, highlighted the importance of these ships in expanding their luxury brand and emphasizing innovation and sustainability. Fincantieri’s CEO, Pierroberto Folgiero, praised the collaboration with MSC, noting the ships’ role in setting new standards in luxury and eco-friendly cruising.
