Viking Announces World's First Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ships
Key Ideas
  • Viking is set to introduce two new hydrogen-powered cruise ships, Viking Libra and Viking Astrea, with the former being the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship.
  • The propulsion system of Viking Libra, developed by Fincantieri's subsidiary, will be based on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells, enabling zero-emission operations.
  • Both Viking and Fincantieri express strong commitment towards sustainable maritime transportation and aim to set new standards for innovation in the cruise industry.
  • In addition to the new hydrogen-powered ships, Viking has plans to expand its fleet significantly, with 26 river ships expected by 2028 and 11 ocean ships by 2031.
Viking has made a groundbreaking announcement regarding the introduction of two new hydrogen-powered cruise ships to their fleet. The company has ordered Viking Libra and Viking Astrea from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, with the former expected to be the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship upon its delivery in late 2026. Viking Astrea will follow with a delivery date in 2027. These vessels, along with two others ordered by Explora Journeys from Fincantieri, signify a significant shift towards sustainable maritime transportation. Viking's chairman, Torstein Hagen, emphasized the company's principled decision to invest in hydrogen as a true zero-emission solution. The propulsion system of Viking Libra, capable of generating six megawatts of power, is a result of collaboration with Fincantieri subsidiary Isotta Fraschini Motori. Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri's CEO, highlighted the shared vision for a more sustainable cruise industry through this innovative approach. Furthermore, Viking and Fincantieri have additional plans for expanding the fleet, aiming to set new standards for responsible shipbuilding and environmental impact. Overall, the future looks promising for Viking with their commitment to sustainability and pioneering efforts in hydrogen-powered cruise ships.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.