Explora Journeys: two more ships under construction
Explora Journeys, the luxury travel brand of the MSC Group’s Cruise Division, and Fincantieri, today announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement to build two additional hydrogen-powered luxury cruise ships, which will enter service in 2027 and 2028, bringing the total number of the fleet to six.
Explora Journeys Explora I
EXPLORA V and VI will feature a new generation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines and will also be equipped with industry-leading environmental technologies and solutions, including a liquid hydrogen collection system that will enable the use of this promising low-carbon fuel. The hydrogen fuel will power a six-megawatt fuel cell to produce emission-free power for operation from hotel areas and enable ships to operate at “zero emissions” in port, with engines off.
Explora Journeys also reported that EXPLORA III and IV, will be enlarged by 19 meters to allow for the installation of a new generation system based on LNG and hydrogen.
Explora I
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, said, “Explora Journeys is building the ships of tomorrow while remaining ready to adapt to alternative energy solutions as they become available. Today’s announcement marks another significant step toward our goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 across all cruise operations for both of our brands and provides further evidence of our commitment to invest in the most advanced environmental technologies available to develop sustainable solutions for the future. The transition to zero-emissions operations for the maritime industry is the biggest challenge we will face, and it will only be achieved if everyone does their part, with significant investment from both companies and governments.”
Logo Explora Journeys
Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys, added, “Bold initiatives such as changing the shipbuilding design, making significant additional investments regarding existing orders, and confirming orders for two more ships equipped with new technology, despite the economic situation, is something only a family business can do. Sustainability is the new craft, and we are honored to take a pioneering position in the cruise industry and the travel industry in general.”
Explora Journeys
All six ships in the Explora Journeys fleet will be equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies, and will also be fitted with the latest selective catalytic reduction systems, plug-in connectivity for shore power to reduce emissions in ports, and equipped with underwater noise management apparatus to protect marine life.
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