Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard has celebrated the launching of ‘Explora III’, the coin ceremony for ‘Explora IV’, and the steel cutting for ‘Explora V’.
The aim is for the six-vessel luxury fleet for MSC’s Explora Journeys luxury brand, built by Fincantieri, to be fully operational within three years. The first two ships are already in service. Explora III is due to be christened in 2026, while Explora IV and Explora V are scheduled for delivery in 2027, and Explora VI will launch in 2028.
MSC has invested €3.5bn in the project, generating significant economic, technological, and employment benefits in Italy, estimated at over €15 billion. The onboard environmental technology has been significantly advanced to include cold ironing systems, LNG propulsion, selective catalytic reduction units, and the use of fuel cells that convert LNG into hydrogen.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Group Passenger Division, said: “Today we are celebrating a triple milestone in the growth journey of Explora Journeys, our brand dedicated to the luxury segment, whose fleet will be fully operational within three years with all six vessels. We are turning our vision into reality — and we are doing so quickly. We are very pleased with the results Explora Journeys has already achieved globally, and with the positive feedback from our guests. Sustainability remains a top priority for our company, and these ships — thanks to the innovative solutions and technologies implemented on board — play a crucial role in our decarbonisation journey.”
Luigi Matarazzo, GM Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division, added: “We are proud to support the MSC Group on this journey, which demonstrates Fincantieri’s ability to interpret and anticipate developments in the cruise market, where we hold a global share of over 45%. The Explora Journeys fleet is a concrete example of how collaboration with the shipowner can translate into outstanding results, combining innovation, sustainability, and quality. Five of the six ships in the class are being built here in Sestri Ponente, a strategic asset in our production system and a symbol of an industrial vision focused on modern shipyards, green technologies, and highly complex processes.”
The Explora Journeys ships are thought to represent the best of ‘Made in Italy,’ serving as ambassadors at sea. In line with Fincantieri’s innovation and sustainability standards, the onboard environmental technology is highly advanced. All vessels are equipped with cold ironing systems, allowing them to connect to power on shore and eliminate emissions while docked, as well as advanced selective catalytic reduction systems, underwater noise management devices to protect marine life, and a full range of high-efficiency onboard equipment designed to optimise engine performance. The last four ships will be powered by LNG, seen as a transitional fuel that significantly reduces emissions compared to traditional marine fuels, and will be equipped to use renewable fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. Explora V and Explora VI will offer the possibility of using more innovative technologies such as fuel cells, to convert LNG into hydrogen, further reducing emissions.
Image: Explora Journeys cruise ship (source: MSC Cruises)
