Today triple ceremony for Fincantieri and Explora Journeys at Sestri Ponente: launche of Explora IV, coin ceremony for Explora V and steel cuttingfor Explora VI

A major triple milestone for Fincantieri and Explora Journeys was celebrated today at the Sestri Ponente shipyard. The global leader in highly complex shipbuilding and the ultra-elegant European luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, marked the launch of Explora IV, the coin ceremony of Explora V, and the start of construction of Explora VI.

The number of ships that Fincantieri is building simultaneously for Explora Journeys has now risen to four: Explora III, which is currently undergoing sea trials and scheduled for delivery in July; Explora IV and Explora V, both set to enter service in 2027; and Explora VI, which will enter service in 2028, completing the six-vessel fleet entirely entrusted to Fincantieri.

The first two ships, Explora I and Explora II, are already in service and, thanks to global itineraries, exclusive destinations and unique, seamless onboard experiences, are enjoying growing success across markets worldwide. They have quickly become a benchmark for the entire sector by offering a refined, innovative and distinctive travel experience.

Today’s triple ceremony was attended by several civil and military authorities – including Marco Bucci, President of the Liguria Region; Silvia Salis, Mayor of Genoa; Admiral Inspector Antonio Ranieri; Maritime Director of Liguria and Commander of the Port of Genoa; and Tito Vespasiani, Secretary General of the Port System Authority of the Southern Adriatic Sea. They were welcomed by Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group; Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys; Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri; and Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division.

The godmothers of the Explora V coin ceremony were Serena Melani, Captain of Explora ships, and Alice Gallo, a Fincantieri employee at the Sestri Ponente shipyard, who placed two commemorative coins inside the hull as a traditional gesture of good fortune. Cristina Bacigalupo, also a Fincantieri employee at the Sestri Ponente shipyard, served as godmother for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the technical launch of Explora IV.

Marco Bucci, President of the Liguria Region, stated: “The shipping industry is one of the key pillars of our regional economy. Liguria strongly believes in the Blue Economy: shipbuilding was fundamental to the Republic of Genoa centuries ago, it remains so today, as it will continue in the future. The fact that some of the most complex vessels—those requiring highly skilled craftsmanship—are being built here in Sestri Ponente confirms the strength of our competencies and encourages us to continue raising the bar. It shows that in Liguria we have the expertise and professionalism needed to deliver top‑tier industrial achievements. We must also remember that a new shipyard is being built in Sestri Ponente. The site is expanding and several major works are underway; once completed, these will generate significant economic and employment benefits for the entire region. It is essential for all the institutions to work together towards this shared goal. This investment - worth more than €450 million - will deliver a milestone achievement for Sestri Ponente, for Fincantieri, for the city of Genoa and for our entire community.”

Silvia Salis, Mayor Genoa, said: “Here in Sestri Ponente, industrial expertise, technological capability and a maritime heritage deeply rooted in Genoa’s identity come together. Each ship built in this shipyard represents the work of thousands of people and the strength of a supply chain that continues to position our city as a leader in international shipbuilding.
The Explora Journeys program demonstrates how collaboration between major industrial players such as Fincantieri and the MSC Group can generate innovation, highly skilled employment and new development opportunities. Investments of this scale reinforce Genoa’s role as a place where industry, research and training can grow together.
As a city administration, we strongly believe in strengthening the link between the city and the maritime economy, and we are working to reinforce training pathways connected to the Blue Economy—such as the School for Maritime Professions—with the goal of providing young people with concrete skills and opportunities in a strategic sector for our region. Today’s launch is an important signal for the future of the industry and for the role Genoa aims to continue playing within the international maritime system.”

Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented: “We are pleased to contribute to the success of Italian luxury at sea alongside MSC and Explora. This triple ceremony also demonstrates Fincantieri’s ability to carry forward complex industrial programs with continuity, quality and strong technological vision — a capability that will lead, for example, to the adoption of a highly innovative fuel‑cell propulsion system on Explora VI. The cruise ship segment is one of the pillars of our Group’s Industrial Plan and continues to offer solid long‑term structural growth prospects. In this context, the Sestri Ponente shipyard plays a strategic role in advancing our industrial capabilities in the cruise sector and in strengthening Fincantieri’s global leadership in a technologically sophisticated and rapidly growing industry."

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, stated:
“Today we celebrate a very important milestone in the growth journey of Explora Journeys, our brand dedicated to luxury ocean travel. With two vessels already in operation, a third arriving in early August and the remaining three under construction simultaneously, the entire Explora fleet is, for the first time, already “present” with the industrial plan well on track to be fully realized in a short timeframe. We are proud, that, in just a few yearsand starting from scratch, we have succeeded in building a successful new brand that is profoundly innovating the concept of luxury thanks to an exclusive platform of state-of-the-art ships, refined onboard services and global itineraries offering a sea and hospitality experience unlike any other holiday model.”

For the construction of the six Explora Journeys ships, the MSC Group invested approximately €3.5 billion, generating significant economic and employment benefits for the country. Taking into account the four ships previously ordered and delivered by Fincantieri -  MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape - the MSC Group’s total investment rises to around €7 billion.

At the forefront of design, naval technology and sustainability, all ships currently under construction will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a fuel capable of significantly reducing emissions compared with traditional marine fuels. The use of LNG substantially reduces emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide. Explora VI will additionally be equipped with fuel cells, an innovative technology enabling even more efficient energy production by converting LNG into hydrogen, and allowing the use of LNG from renewable sources.

All vessels are also equipped with a “cold ironing” system, allowing them to connect to the shore power grid while in port and eliminate emissions during port stays.

The construction of these ships reflects Fincantieri’s role as a system integrator of a broad and highly specialized industrial supply chain. In Italy, the Group works with around 6,500 suppliers — most of them small and medium-sized enterprises — enabling them to participate in projects with high technological content and strong international reach. In Liguria alone, roughly 800 suppliers are part of Fincantieri’s supply chain, while the Group directly employs more than 3,600  people locally and contributes to generating over 70,000 jobs across the entire national supply chain. This confirms the shipbuilding sector’s role as a key industrial and employment driver for the country.