Viking has received its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vela, from the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona. This vessel, the 13th delivered by the Italian shipbuilder to Viking, will focus its initial season on sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and northern Europe. Noteworthy is Viking's initiative to explore a partial hybrid propulsion system using liquid hydrogen and fuel cells for future ocean ships. This environmentally friendly approach could potentially lead to zero emissions operations in ecologically sensitive areas such as the Norwegian fjords. While the Viking Vela currently operates on a traditional propulsion platform, it is prepared for a retrofit in the future to adopt the hydrogen-based system. Chairman Torstein Hagen expressed pride in welcoming the newest addition to the award-winning ocean fleet. He highlighted the collaboration with Fincantieri in creating elegant small ocean ships and the anticipation of introducing more curious travellers to Viking's exploration style. This development showcases Viking's commitment to sustainable travel practices and innovative solutions in the cruise industry.