Fincantieri has received an order from Viking for the construction of two new expedition vessels. In addition, the two companies have signed an agreement that includes an option for the construction of two more ocean-going ships, marking a new milestone in their collaboration.
The two expedition vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031, will be sister ships to the “Viking Octantis” and “Viking Polaris,” built by Fincantieri’s Norwegian subsidiary, Vard, and delivered in 2021 and 2022 respectively. The new vessels will be built at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard, supporting Viking’s expansion in the polar and remote exploration market.
Each vessel will have a capacity for 378 passengers in 189 cabins and will be “Polar Class 6” certified for safe operation in polar regions. Designed for navigating remote areas and the St. Lawrence River, they will offer excellent maneuverability and stability in rough seas. Key features include straight bows, extended hulls, and state-of-the-art stabilizers, as well as ice-strengthened structures that will ensure safe navigation in extreme environments. The U-tank stabilizers will significantly reduce rolling when the vessel is stationary.
The design will be handled by the same naval architects and engineers responsible for Viking's ocean fleet, combining elegant Scandinavian aesthetics, intimate public spaces, and areas specially designed for expedition operations.
The two additional ocean-going cruise ship options, scheduled for delivery in 2034, will be positioned in the upper premium segment and will follow the same design philosophy and technical standards as the vessels already built or under construction by Fincantieri at its Italian shipyards. With an approximate gross tonnage of 54,300 tons and a capacity for 998 passengers in 499 cabins, they will comply with the latest environmental and navigation regulations and incorporate state-of-the-art safety systems.
This new order reinforces a strong alliance that dates back to 2012 and now includes a total of 26 ships built or ordered.
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