Viking Announces Float Out of the World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ship

Viking has reached a historic milestone with the float out of the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen‑powered cruise ship.

Float out ceremony:
Held at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard in Italy, the event marked the first time the ship touched water, moving into its final construction phase.

Debut timeline:
Scheduled for delivery in November 2026, the Viking Libra will sail its inaugural season in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Capacity & design:
A small ship by classification, it has 499 staterooms for 998 guests, with a gross tonnage of ~54,300.

Zero‑emission propulsion:
Powered by a hybrid system using liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells, capable of producing up to six megawatts of power. This allows the ship to operate with true zero emissions, even in environmentally sensitive areas.

Partnerships:
Developed with Fincantieri and enabled by Isotta Fraschini Motori’s advanced fuel cell technology.

Future fleet:
Viking’s next ocean ship, the Viking Astrea, scheduled for 2027, will also be hydrogen‑powered.

Recognition:
Viking continues to lead in sustainability and guest experience, having been rated #1 for both rivers and oceans by Condé Nast Traveler for five consecutive years.

Torstein Hagen, Viking’s Chairman and CEO, described the Libra as the company’s most environmentally friendly vessel yet, underscoring Viking’s principled choice to invest in hydrogen as a true zero‑emission solution.