Viking Unveils World’s First Hydrogen-Powered, Zero-Emission Cruise Ship

In what may signal a transformative leap for maritime sustainability, Italian shipbuilding titan Fincantieri and Swiss luxury cruise operator Viking have announced the construction of the world’s first cruise ship equipped to generate propulsion and electricity using hydrogen stored directly onboard.

Dubbed the Viking Libra, this revolutionary vessel is taking shape at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, with delivery slated for late 2026. But make no mistake—this is more than just another ship. It's a floating prototype of a cleaner future that may help rewrite the playbook for large-scale, zero-emission marine travel.

Stretching an impressive 239 meters and weighing 54,300 gross tons, the Viking Libra has been engineered with one goal: emissions-free operation. It will harness a cutting-edge hydrogen propulsion system—complemented by fuel cell technology—capable of generating up to 6 megawatts of power. That’s enough juice to support propulsion and onboard electrical systems without emitting a single puff of carbon.

The key to this transformation is Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), a Fincantieri subsidiary known for its pioneering work in advanced fuel cell technology. IFM is providing a custom-designed polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell system, purpose-built for cruise operations and fine-tuned to work seamlessly with Viking Libra’s onboard hydrogen storage setup.

Storing hydrogen on a moving vessel has long posed formidable engineering and safety hurdles, but this ship takes a different approach. Rather than relying on complex infrastructure or port-side logistics, Viking Libra will utilize a modular, containerized hydrogen system, allowing the vessel to load, store, and access hydrogen directly onboard. This “first-of-a-kind” approach tackles one of the most persistent bottlenecks in hydrogen transport: the global supply chain.

But this isn’t a one-off science experiment. The Viking Astrea, a sister ship also under construction in Ancona and scheduled for delivery in 2027, will carry the same hydrogen DNA. And that’s just the beginning. Fincantieri and Viking recently inked a deal to expand their partnership. They agreed to build two additional cruise ships in 2031 with options for two more, all modelled after the current hydrogen-powered designs.

“From the outset, we have designed our river and ocean ships thoughtfully to reduce their fuel consumption, and we are very proud that the Viking Libra and the Viking Astrea will be even more environmentally friendly,” said 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.”

While these vessels will remain in the small cruise ship segment, their specifications are anything but modest: around 54,300 gross tons, 499 cabins, and room for 998 passengers. Each one promises compliance with the latest environmental and navigational regulations, wrapped in luxury and fortified by next-gen safety systems.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri commented: “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.”

Earlier, Fincantieri handed over the Viking Vela—the first in a line of eco-conscious vessels. While Viking Vela currently uses a traditional propulsion system, it has been certified as "hydrogen-ready," meaning it can be retrofitted to operate on cleaner fuel in the future. That’s not merely a nod to innovation—it’s a clear signal that the industry is hedging on hydrogen as a long-term propulsion solution.

The collaboration between Fincantieri and Viking isn’t just about building ships; it’s about reimagining maritime travel. With construction orders rapidly stacking up—two confirmed vessels in July 2024, followed by an expanded two-plus-four option in October—the momentum is undeniable.