Explora Journeys Celebrates Key Milestones for EXPLORA IV, EXPLORA V, and EXPLORA VI at Fincantieri Shipyard

Explora Journeys recently celebrated significant milestones for its upcoming fleet at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Sestri Ponente/Genoa on March 9th. During this event, key representatives from Explora Journeys and the shipbuilding company commemorated crucial developments for three upcoming vessels: the technical launch of EXPLORA IV, the coin/keel-laying ceremony for EXPLORA V, and the steel-cutting ceremony for EXPLORA VI.

This event marked the third occasion within a year and a half that Explora Journeys has celebrated multiple shipbuilding milestones, underscoring the swift progress of its ambitious plan to establish a fleet of six ships by 2028. Notable attendees included Pierfrancesco Vago and Anna Nash of Explora Journeys and Luigi Matarazzo of Fincantieri, along with local officials and shipyard workers.

Currently, the fleet includes two operational ships, with EXPLORA III set to be delivered in July 2026. The construction at Sestri Ponente includes four vessels, aiming to achieve a fully operational six-ship fleet by the end of the decade. The traditional maritime practice of appointing godmothers was honored during the ceremonies, with Captain Serena Melani, who has overseen previous vessels, and Alice Gallo from Fincantieri playing significant roles.

This ongoing development is part of MSC Group’s broader investment in the Italian shipbuilding industry, totaling approximately EUR 3.5 billion for the six vessels in progress. When factoring in previous projects with MSC Cruises, the combined investment exceeds EUR 7 billion.

Following the delivery of EXPLORA III, the ship will embark on an introductory voyage in the Mediterranean, leading to a naming ceremony planned for August 1 at MSC’s new cruise terminal in Barcelona. Service introductions for EXPLORA IV and EXPLORA V are scheduled for 2027, with EXPLORA VI following in 2028.

A notable aspect of the fleet’s design is its commitment to environmental sustainability. The vessels will implement various technologies to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This includes the ability to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the option of retrofitting fuel-cell systems that convert LNG into hydrogen for further emission reductions. The ships are also equipped with shore-power connectivity to eliminate emissions while docked.

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