Italy's Fincantieri launches 54,300-ton hydrogen-powered cruise ship Viking Astrea, delivery set for May 2027

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 11, Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri completed the launch of the cruise ship Viking Astrea at its Ancona shipyard. Built by Fincantieri for Viking, the ship is Viking's second cruise ship to adopt hydrogen power technology, with a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons, a length of 239 meters, 499 cabins, and a capacity of 998 passengers. Delivery is scheduled for May 2027.

This launch marks the completion of the shipyard construction phase for Viking Astrea and its first entry into the water. According to the construction schedule published by Viking, the launch process lasted two days. After the hull floats up, it will be transferred to a nearby outfitting quay to continue interior outfitting, system installation, and subsequent commissioning. After delivery, the ship's first operational season is planned to serve Mediterranean and Northern European routes.

Viking Astrea will use a hybrid propulsion system consisting in part of liquid hydrogen and fuel cells, with the capability to achieve zero-emission sailing and onboard operations under specific operating modes. The related systems are being developed with the participation of Fincantieri subsidiary Isotta Fraschini Motori, and the fuel cell system can provide up to 6 megawatts of power.

Viking's first ship to adopt the same type of hydrogen power technology, Viking Libra, was launched at the Ancona shipyard in March 2026 and is scheduled for delivery in November 2026. That ship is likewise approximately 54,300 tons, 239 meters long, with 499 cabins and 998 berths. Viking Astrea continues its technical approach, becoming the second hydrogen-powered cruise ship in the series.

Viking Libra uses onboard storage of liquid hydrogen and uses proton exchange membrane fuel cells for propulsion and onboard power generation. Fincantieri previously disclosed that the related hydrogen energy system adopts a containerized hydrogen fuel loading and storage solution, and the fuel cells are developed and produced by Isotta Fraschini Motori to meet the operational requirements of cruise ships. Viking Astrea will continue to use this hydrogen power technology system.