GENEVA — Explora Journeys has placed orders for two hydrogen-powered ships with Fincantieri as it sails towards a net zero-carbon emissions target by 2050.
EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI will feature state-of-the-art energy efficiency measures and will be capable of using alternative fuels such as bio and synthetic gas and methanol. The Cruise Division will also work in the future with the Italian shipbuilder to equip the ships with carbon capture and more advanced waste management systems.
Both ships will be delivered in 2027 and 2028. The deal completes a total investment of $5 billion in six luxury ships for Explora Journeys.
“We are seeing continued growth in the luxury segment and the investment in these two new ships shows our commitment to continue to grow within this sector as well as to invest in ships of the future,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman – Cruise Division of parent company MSC Group. “Together with Fincantieri we will study the newest technology that the world has to offer and continue with our commitment to introduce these technologies to drive efficiencies across the whole spectrum of ship performance. And of course, we will continue to deliver the very best luxury travel experience, immersing our guests in the ocean state of mind with a sustainable soul.”
The two new ships will pursue the use of liquid hydrogen with fuel cells for their hotel operations while docked in ports to eliminate carbon emissions with the vessels’ engines switched off. They will also feature a new generation of LNG engines that will further tackle the issue of methane slip with the use of containment systems.
LNG is one of the world’s cleanest marine fuels currently available at scale and is set to play a key role in the transition to the decarbonization of international shipping. It substantially reduces local air pollutant emissions with sulphur oxides falling by up to 99% and nitrogen oxides decreasing by up to 85%. LNG also plays a key role in climate change mitigation as it offers up to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Explora Journeys’ first ship, EXPLORA I, was delivered by Fincantieri in July 2023 and is currently operating in Northern Europe. The ship will spend the autumn in North America, and the winter in the Caribbean Sea. It will sail during the spring 2024 off the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii before returning to Europe in summer 2024 for a series of journeys in the Mediterranean Sea.
EXPLORA II will enter service in summer 2024 and operate until April 2025 in the Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean and Africa, visiting 82 ports in 26 countries.
EXPLORA III will enter service in summer 2026. Construction of the LNG-powered vessel started on Sept. 6, 2023 with a steel-cutting ceremony. Construction of LNG-powered EXPLORA IV will begin in January 2024 and will be completed in early 2027.
