Viking Libra, the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of zero-emissions operation, has touched the water for the first time. Scheduled for delivery in November 2026, Viking Libra will sail its inaugural season on itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
“The launch of the Viking Libra represents another milestone for Viking and our ongoing partnership with Fincantieri,” said Torstein Hagen, Viking’s president and CEO. “From the outset, our ship design approach has focused on reducing fuel consumption, and the Viking Libra is our most environmentally friendly vessel to date. Investing in hydrogen was a principled decision for Viking, as it offers a true zero-emissions solution, and we look forward to welcoming the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship to our fleet.”.
The launching ceremony took place at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard and is significant because it marks the ship entering its final phase of construction. The Viking Libra's launch began with the cutting of a ceremonial rope, allowing water to enter the construction dock. After a two-day process to bring the Viking Libra afloat, it will be moved to a nearby dock for final construction and interior outfitting. The ceremony was attended by Gilberto Tobaldi, director of Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard, as well as members of the Viking team, including Karine Hagen, executive vice president of Product, and Enrico Prunotto, senior vice president of Ocean Passenger Operations, who thanked the shipyard on behalf of Viking.
Classified as a small ship, like all Viking ocean-going vessels, the Viking Libra has a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons, with 499 cabins accommodating up to 998 guests. While considered a sister ship within Viking’s award-winning ocean-going fleet, the Viking Libra will feature a propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. This hybrid system will allow it to sail and operate with zero emissions, enabling access to even the most environmentally sensitive areas. Thanks to Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), a Fincantieri subsidiary specializing in advanced fuel cell technology, the ship’s state-of-the-art propulsion system will be capable of generating up to six megawatts of power. The company’s next ocean-going vessel, the Viking Astrea®, currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2027, will also be hydrogen-powered and capable of zero-emission operation.
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