Explora Journeys, the luxury travel brand of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, has confirmed the order for the construction of two LNG-fuelled luxury cruise ships featuring hydrogen-powered solid oxide fuel cells with Fincantieri.

The Motorship previously reported that the Explora V and VI will also be equipped with a containment system for liquid hydrogen that will power a 6MW fuel cell to produce emissions-free power for hotel operations. It will also allow the vessels to operate in port with zero emissions.

The two newbuilds will come into service in 2027 and 2028, respectively. The ships will also feature a new generation of LNG engines that will further tackle the issue of methane slip with the use of unspecified containment systems.

Explora V and VI will have new state-of-the-art energy efficiency measures and will also be capable of using alternative fuels such as bio and synthetic gas, as well as methanol.

The Cruise Division also announced that it will work in the future with Fincantieri to equip the ships with future technologies including carbon capture, and more advanced waste management systems.