Viking Astrea Floats Out as Line’s Second Hydrogen-Powered Ship
Its fuel-cell installation, supplied by Isotta Fraschini Motori, is designed to provide up to six megawatts for zero exhaust-emission operation on portions of a sailing.
Fincantieri floated out Viking Astrea at its Ancona shipyard in Italy on September 11, putting the vessel in the water for the first time. Viking’s second hydrogen-powered ocean ship is scheduled for delivery in May 2027, followed by an inaugural season in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
The vessel’s hybrid propulsion plant will use liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells to support operation without exhaust emissions during parts of a voyage.
“The float out of the Viking Astrea represents another important milestone for Viking,” said Leah Talactac, Viking’s president and chief executive officer. Talactac said the vessel continues the company’s work on more efficient ship designs.
Fuel cells to provide up to six megawatts
Viking Astrea’s propulsion system will combine conventional machinery with hydrogen-powered polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The installation, supplied by Fincantieri subsidiary Isotta Fraschini Motori, will be capable of producing up to six megawatts of power.
The hydrogen system is not intended to power an entire itinerary. It will support zero exhaust-emission operation for portions of a sailing, including access to environmentally sensitive destinations.
Viking has not specified the source or production pathway for the liquefied hydrogen that the ship will carry.
The 239-meter vessel is approximately 54,300 GT and will have 499 all-veranda staterooms for 998 guests. Its crew complement is listed at between 465 and 470, and its planned cruising speed is 20 knots.
Inside the Ancona build
The float-out began with a ceremonial cord cutting that allowed water into the building dock. After a two-day flooding operation, the ship is due to move to a nearby outfitting berth for the remaining construction and interior installation work.
Francesca Baldinelli, who works in production control at the Ancona yard, served as the vessel’s godmother. Gilberto Tobaldi, director of the Ancona shipyard, and Ghislain Lemarie, Viking’s vice president of ship development and construction, also attended the ceremony.
Viking Astrea will carry the Scandinavian-influenced interiors used across Viking’s ocean fleet, along with multiple dining venues and public areas.
Fincantieri and Viking began their shipbuilding relationship in 2012. Contracts for two additional 998-passenger ships scheduled for delivery in 2032 bring the relationship to 28 vessels, subject to financing and other customary conditions.
Viking Libra, the first ship in the pair to use the hydrogen and fuel-cell arrangement, was floated out at Ancona in March. Viking Libra is scheduled for delivery in November 2026 and will put the system into service before Viking Astrea joins the fleet the following spring.
See current Viking Astrea fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.
