Explora Journeys orders Fincantieri to build two more luxury cruise ships

The two new buildings will enter into service, in 2027 and 2028 respectively. Explora Journeys also has announced that the previously announced ships, Explora III and Explora IV, will now be powered by LNG. The two units will be enlarged by 19 meters to allow the installation of a new generation system based on LNG and hydrogen. This has also offered the opportunity to improve hospitality on board, thanks to a higher number of spacious and luxurious passenger suites and larger public spaces.

The two additional ships, the subject of the memorandum signed today, bring to 3.5 billion euros the total investment of Explora Journeys to build its fleet. This figure includes the upgrade of Explora III and Explora IV with engines to LNG, for a further 120 million each, a modification that has requested a temporary interruption of the work due to the significant redesign of ships, the delivery of which is now scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

"Bold initiatives such as changing the project of shipbuilding, making significant investments additional regarding existing orders and confirm orders for two more ships equipped with new technology, despite the economic situation - took over the CEO of Explora Journeys, Michael Ungerer - is something that only a family business is able to do. But it is also of the demonstration of our unequivocal commitment to operate ships able to attract the next generations of travelers in the luxury sector. Sustainability is the new craftsmanship and we are honored to take a pioneering position in the cruise industry and in the travel sector in general'.

Commenting on the new order, the executive chairman of the Cruise Division of the MSC group, Pierfrancesco Vago, has underlined that "today's announcement marks a further significant step forward towards our goal of achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 in all cruise operations for both our brands and provides further proof of our commitment to investing in the most advanced environmental technologies available for the development of sustainable solutions for the future. The transition to operations zero emissions for the maritime industry - highlighted Vago - is the biggest challenge we will have to face, and it will be achieved only if everyone will do their part, with investments significant both from companies and governments."

The new CEO of Fincantieri, Pierroberto Folgiero, noted that "this is absolutely the first major agreement for new construction after the emergency pandemic and testifies not only to the further growth of our long-standing partnership with MSC, to which our thanks, but also the confidence of both groups in the future of the cruise industry'.