Explora Journeys and Fincantieri mark two major milestones in Sestri Ponente: Explora V float-out and Explora VI coin ceremony

• Fincantieri’s construction of the six-unit fleet for the MSC Group’s luxury brand continues at full pace, with the fleet set to be completed by mid-2028
• MSC’s total investment of more than €3.5 billion in the six ships is generating an economic impact of more than €15 billion in Italy, delivering significant benefits across the supply chain and supporting thousands of jobs 
• At the forefront of design, naval technology, and energy efficiency, EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI are equipped with shore power connectivity and can use renewable and next-generation fuels such as bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels. EXPLORA VI will also feature fuel cell technology, while EXPLORA V is designed to accommodate this solution

Explora Journeys and Fincantieri today marked two major milestones at the Sestri Ponente shipyard. The MSC Group’s luxury ocean travel brand and the global leader in high-complexity shipbuilding celebrated two highly symbolic maritime traditions: the float-out of EXPLORA V and the coin ceremony for EXPLORA VI.

Following the delivery of EXPLORA III at the end of July, construction of the Explora Journeys fleet, entrusted entirely to Fincantieri, continues at full pace. In less than two years, the fleet will reach its planned six ships: EXPLORA IV and EXPLORA V will both be delivered in 2027, in the spring and towards the end of the year respectively, while EXPLORA VI will enter service in time for summer 2028.

The first three ships in the MSC luxury brand’s fleet are already sailing at full capacity across the world’s oceans, underlining the international success of the Explora Journeys concept, inspired by its Ocean State of Mind vision. This approach is redefining standards in ocean travel, combining global itineraries, iconic destinations and lesser-known ports with distinctive and refined onboard experiences, particularly across gastronomy, entertainment and wellness. 

Today's double event was attended by numerous institutions and authorities, including Regional Councilor Federico Bogliolo, representing the President of the Liguria Region, Marco Bucci; Emilio Robotti, Councilor for Sustainable Mobility and Public Transport for the Municipality of Genoa, representing the Mayor of Genoa, Silvia Salis; the President of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, Matteo Paroli; and Commander Paolo Ferrero of the Genoa Harbour Master’s Office.

Guests at the ceremony were welcomed by Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division; Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys; Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri; Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division, and Massimo Canesin, Director of Fincantieri Genoa Sestri Fincantieri Shipyard.

Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, and Camilla Ronco, an employee in the hull pre-assembly workshop at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard, served as godmothers for the EXPLORA VI coin ceremony. Following maritime tradition, they placed two coins inside the ship’s hull as a symbol of good luck. Consuelo Brunelli, an employee in Fincantieri’s planning department, served as godmother for the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the float out of EXPLORA V. 

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of the MSC Group, stated: "Today marks a fundamental milestone in the construction of the Explora Journeys fleet, which will be fully operational with all six vessels in less than two years. Built in Italy, these ships are an important expression of our long-term commitment to the country, which equally extends to the 19 Italian destinations already visited today by Explora Journeys. Through these calls, we are bringing international travellers to an increasingly broad and diverse range of Italian territories, thereby further showcasing the extraordinary beauty and riches that Italy has to offer".

Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri, stated: “Fincantieri’s challenge is to evolve shipbuilding into an increasingly high-tech business by integrating new technologies into an industry traditionally characterized by high labour intensity. At Sestri Ponente, we are working to bring this transformation directly into our construction processes through artificial intelligence, robotics and automation. This journey builds on the expertise of our workforce and relies on collaboration with our industrial partners, both of which are essential to translating technological progress into practical applications. In this context, Explora V exemplifies the ability to combine beauty, functionality and innovation, introducing advanced industrial and environmental solutions in a complex sector such as shipbuilding.”

All six Explora Journeys ships are being built in Italy by Fincantieri and represent a total investment by MSC of more than €3.5 billion, which in turn is generating an economic impact of more than €15 billion in Italy, delivering significant benefits across the supply chain and supporting thousands of jobs, particularly in Genoa and Liguria, where much of the shipbuilding takes place. The construction of each ship requires more than seven million working hours and provides employment for an average of 2,500 people over a period of two to three years. 

At the forefront of design, naval technology and energy efficiency, the Explora Journeys ships represent the best of Made in Italy, serving as ambassadors for Italian excellence across the world’s oceans. Their environmental technologies are particularly advanced. All ships are equipped with shore power connectivity, allowing their engines to be switched off while in port and thereby eliminating emissions from the engines while alongside. 

In terms of fuel versatility, EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI, like the two ships preceding them, are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and are designed to operate with renewable and next-generation fuels including bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels. EXPLORA VI will also be equipped with fuel cell technology, while EXPLORA V is designed to accommodate this solution. These capabilities support Explora Journeys’ contribution to MSC Cruises’ long-term decarbonisation strategy.

The construction of these ships confirms Fincantieri's role as a system integrator for a broad and highly specialized industrial supply chain, which involves approximately 7,000 suppliers in Italy, largely small and medium-sized enterprises, and helps support over 90,000 jobs. Within this system, Liguria plays a strategic role, counting around 800 suppliers and over 3,600 direct employees of the Group. A local center of excellence is the Sestri Ponente shipyard, specialized in cruise ship construction, which has built 19 units since 2003 and boasts an order book stretching to 2037. The Explora Journeys program further enhances the skills of the shipyard and the local supply chain, representing the technological and industrial excellence of "Made in Italy".