Viking & Fincantieri unveil world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship
The Viking Libra is expected to look like its sister fleet. Image courtesy of Viking
Italian shipbuilding company, Fincantieri, has announced the launch of the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, the Viking Libra, in partnership with Viking.
Currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, the Viking Libra cruise ship will utilise onboard-stored hydrogen for both propulsion and electricity generation. The 998-passenger vessel is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2026.
Its sister ship, the Viking Astrea, will also be powered by hydrogen and is under construction at the Ancona shipyard and scheduled for delivery in 2027.
In March 2025, Fincantieri, which is based in Trieste, reported a net profit of €27m, compared to a net loss of €53m in 2023.
Hydrogen cruise ship: Viking Libra
The Viking Libra will have a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons, a length of 239 metres, and will be home to 499 staterooms. The ship will operate with zero emissions, enabling access to even the most environmentally sensitive areas.
The vessel’s state-of-the-art hydrogen propulsion system, combined with advanced fuel cell technology, will generate up to six megawatts of power.
The vessel features the first-of-its-kind solutions to load and store hydrogen onboard.
A containerised system will help overcome supply chain constraints related to hydrogen storage.
Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), a Fincantieri subsidiary specialising in fuel cell technologies, is working on the project and will provide tailored solutions for the Viking Libra.
“From the outset, we have designed our river and ocean ships thoughtfully to reduce their fuel consumption, and we are very proud the Viking Libra and the Viking Astrea will be even more environmentally friendly,” says Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “Viking made the principled decision to invest in hydrogen, which offers a true zero-emission solution. We look forward to welcoming the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship to our fleet in 2026.”
Fincantieri and Viking sign partnership
Fincantieri and Viking have also signed an agreement for the construction of two new cruise ships, with delivery slated for 2031.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri, says: “With the Viking Libra, we are not only delivering the world’s first cruise ship powered by hydrogen stored on board, but we are also reinforcing our commitment to shaping the future of sustainable maritime transportation. Furthermore, we are thrilled about Viking’s decision to expand its fleet with the order of two additional ships, which reaffirms the strength of our partnership, and the trust placed in our expertise. This new order is a testament to our shared vision for a more sustainable cruise industry, as together we continue to set new standards for innovation and responsible shipbuilding.”
Hydrogen-powered RIBS
In the leisure marine sector, MIN has recently reported on Fabrum and King Watercraft, both based in Christchurch, New Zealand. The companies have collaborated on the build of a zero-emission hydrogen-powered RIB. The H2Ocean rigid inflatable kicked off sea trials in January 2025.
