The Viking Libra, a new cruise ship under construction for Viking, was launched on 19 March at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. It will be the world’s first cruise ship powered by hydrogen. The vessel is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2026.
The cruise ship has a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tonnes, a length of 239 metres, and can accommodate up to 998 passengers in 499 staterooms. The Viking Libra will have a propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. The ship will be capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions, allowing it to access even the most environmentally sensitive areas. Enabled by Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), Fincantieri’s subsidiary specialising in fuel cell technology, the propulsion system will be capable of producing up to 6 MW of power.
The collaboration between Fincantieri and Viking began in 2012. Considering the ships already ordered, the contracts signed and the options agreed in recent months, the overall portfolio between the two groups now reaches 26 units. A sister ship of the Viking Libra, the Viking Astrea, is currently under construction. This cruise ship will also be hydrogen-powered and is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
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Float out
TThe float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard. It began when a ceremonial cord was cut that signaled water to flow into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that set the Viking Libra afloat, the vessel was moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.
Scheduled for delivery in November 2026, the Viking Libra will spend its inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
Robotics and AI at Ancona shipyard
Covering an area of approximately 360,000 m2, the Ancona shipyard has a production capacity of 60,000 GT, lifting systems of up to 500 tonnes, and hull construction capability of about 1200 tonnes. Further investments are also planned to increase the site’s production capacity. Since 2009, more than twenty ships have already been delivered.
The site plays a strategic role within Fincantieri’s industrial network and is involved in the Operations Excellence programme, which entails the introduction of advanced technologies, robotics, and AI to increase efficiency and improve work quality.
Picture: The Viking Libra was launched on the 19th of March at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard (photo by Fincantieri).
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