Fincantieri: “Viking Libra” launched in Ancona, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship

The “Viking Libra”, a new cruise ship under construction for Viking, was launched today at the Ancona shipyard. The vessel is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2026.

The ceremony was attended Gilberto Tobaldi, Director of the Ancona Shipyard, and members of the Viking team.

With a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons, a length of 239 meters, and the capacity to accommodate up to 998 passengers in 499 staterooms, “Viking Libra” will be the world’s first cruise ship powered by hydrogen and will have a propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. The project has been developed with strong attention to environmental aspects: the ship will in fact be capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions, allowing it to access even the most environmentally sensitive areas.

The collaboration between Fincantieri and Viking, which began in 2012, continues to be a strong partnership in the cruise sector. Considering the ships already ordered, the contracts signed and the options agreed in recent months, whose effectiveness remains subject to the usual financing conditions required by the market, the overall portfolio between the two groups now reaches 26 units.

Covering an area of approximately 360,000m², the Ancona shipyard has a production capacity of 60,000 GT, lifting systems of up to 500 tons, and hull construction capability of about 1,200 tons. Further investments are also planned to increase the site’s production capacity. Since 2009, more than 20 ships have already been delivered, thanks to the daily commitment of approximately 3,700 workers. The site plays a strategic role within the Group’s industrial network and is involved in the Operations Excellence program, which entails the introduction of advanced technologies, robotics, and AI to increase efficiency and improve work quality.