While many cruise brands are chasing the luxury trend of building ships that mimic the luxury and intimacy of private superyachts, Viking is taking a bolder, more sustainable route. Viking Libra and Viking Astrea are set to become the world’s first cruise ships using hydrogen fuel cell technology for zero-emissions operations.
At the beginning of this year, Viking was updating the progress of its boldest ship yet, the hydrogen-powered Viking Libra. Now, its sister ship, Viking Astrea, has also officially entered the final stage of construction, marking another major milestone for the brand. Astrea touched water for the first time and, following this floating phase, it will move to a nearby dock for the final construction stage and interior built-out.
Viking Libra is set to be delivered in just a couple of months, while its sister ship is scheduled to be officially delivered in May 2027. Together, they will become pioneers in the luxury cruise sector, as the first ships with a propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells.
This state-of-the-art technology was developed by Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), the subsidiary specializing in fuel cell technology of Fincantieri, one of the most acclaimed shipyards in the world. Fincantieri, who has built river cruise ships and ocean cruise ships for Viking for more than decade, is also building Libra and Astrea.
Both ships are considered small cruise ships with a 54,300 GT and a 499-stateroom configuration that were better suited for a hydrogen hybrid propulsion system with an estimated output of 6 MW.
This dedicated hydrogen-powered system that allows them to navigate with zero emissions will enable Viking Libra and Viking Astrea to sail in areas where conventional cruise ships are not permitted due to the high environmental sensitivity.
Viking celebrated another milestone and industry-first this year, when it became the first river cruise line in Europe to operate an all-electric motorcoach. The 100 percent electric luxury bus will transport Viking guests in Vienna, as part of the operator’s destination-focused shore excursion program in the Austrian capital.
It will operate alongside the conventional buses in Viking’s Vienna fleet and it won’t be the only one of its kind for too long. Viking plans to add similar motorcoaches and gradually expand its fleets in other locations across Europe.
All of these environmental milestones come as a natural progression for a luxury cruise operator that has been committed to sustainable goals since the beginning. Back in 2009, it was the first river cruise line to use hybrid-electric engines, and its award-winning Viking Longships combine hybrid propulsion with onboard solar panels.
When the hydrogen-powered Viking Libra and Viking Astrea enter service before the end of the decade, things will come full circle for the European cruise operator.
