TRIESTE – The first hydrogen-powered cruise ship will be a Viking vessel, and it is already under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona. Fincantieri and Viking announced today the world’s first passenger ship powered by hydrogen stored on board, used for both propulsion and power generation. The “Viking Libra” is currently being built and is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026. With a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 and a length of 239 meters, Viking Libra will be able to accommodate up to 998 guests in 499 cabins. Designed with a strong focus on sustainability, the ship will be capable of operating with zero emissions, allowing access to environmentally sensitive areas. It will feature a next-generation hydrogen propulsion system, combined with advanced fuel cell technology capable of generating up to six megawatts of power—setting a new benchmark for the cruise industry’s decarbonization efforts.
The next Viking cruise ship, “Viking Astrea”, also under construction at the same shipyard and slated for delivery in 2027, will likewise be hydrogen-powered. This pioneering project will benefit from the contribution of Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), a Fincantieri subsidiary specialized in advanced fuel cell technologies, which will provide custom-designed solutions for Viking Libra. The ship will feature innovative systems for loading and storing hydrogen directly onboard, using a containerized setup designed to overcome current supply chain challenges. The hydrogen will power a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell system specifically optimized for cruise operations, designed and built by IFM. This achievement strengthens IFM’s role as a leader in the adoption of green fuels and cutting-edge energy systems for both maritime and land-based applications. Fincantieri and Viking also announced today the signing of an agreement for the construction of two additional cruise ships to be delivered in 2031, with an option for two more units, based on the successful design of previous vessels built by Fincantieri for the company at its Italian shipyards. The value of the agreement—subject to financing and standard terms and conditions—was described as large, which in cruise shipbuilding terms means between €500 million and €1 billion.
These new units will belong to the small cruise ship segment, with a gross tonnage of around 54,300 and capacity for 998 passengers in 499 cabins. «With Viking Libra, we are not only delivering the world’s first cruise ship powered by hydrogen stored onboard, but also reinforcing our commitment to shaping the future of sustainable maritime transportation» said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri. «From the beginning, we have designed our river and ocean vessels with a focus on fuel efficiency, and we are very proud that Viking Libra and Viking Astrea will be even more environmentally friendly. Viking has made the responsible decision to invest in hydrogen, which represents a truly zero-emission solution. We look forward to welcoming the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship into our fleet in 2026» stated Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking.
