While orders of new cruise ships have been in a lull recently, MSC Group is saying full speed ahead with its new Explora Journeys series of luxury ships.
Just two months after the delivery of EXPLORA I, in July, the brand celebrated milestones for two more of four planned ships during a double event at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa, Italy. In the ceremony, the brand celebrated both the float out of EXPLORA II and the steel cutting of EXPLORA III, representing the second and third ships ordered by Explora Journeys.
“The double event today marks another major step forward on our mission to redefine ocean travel for today’s discerning luxury travellers,” said Michael Ungerer, the company’s CEO. “The incredibly positive feedback from the first guests, travel advisors and media, who had a chance to experience the Ocean State of Mind, the story continues, and we are now beyond thrilled to witness the next important construction milestones for both EXPLORA II and our first LNG-powered ship EXPLORA III.”
The float out is a traditional maritime event that represents a significant moment in the construction of a new ship as it is the first time that the ship touches water. EXPLORA II will embark on her maiden journey in the summer of 2024, spending her first season in the Mediterranean discovering Italian destinations including Portofino, Rome, Sorrento, Palermo, Syracuse, Trapani, Lipari, Cagliari, Alghero, and the Emerald Coast.
With the traditional steel cutting ceremony, the brand celebrated the construction of EXPLORA III, which will enter service in summer 2026 and will be the first of the Explora fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas – the world’s cleanest maritime fuel available at scale–playing a key role towards the decarbonization of international shipping.
Running on LNG can almost eliminate emissions such as sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides. LNG also plays a key role in climate change mitigation as it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 peer cent and the technology will enable the potential to use of additional sustainable non-fossil fuels, such as bio and synthetic forms of LNG.
All the Explora Journeys vessels will be equipped with the latest environmental marine technologies, including selective catalytic reduction technology, shore power plug-in connectivity, underwater noise management systems to help protect marine life, and a comprehensive range of onboard energy efficient equipment to optimize engine use to further reduce emissions.
In January 2024, construction will begin on EXPLORA IV, also fuelled by LNG, due for completion in early 2027.
Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
