Viking Astrea (Source: Viking)
Marking a key milestone toward zero-emission cruising, Viking floated out its second hydrogen-powered ship – the 54,000-ton Viking Astrea – at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in Italy. Scheduled for delivery to Viking in May 2027, the ship will sail the Mediterranean and Northern Europe during its inaugural season.
Float Out Marks Key Construction Milestone
“The float out of the Viking Astrea began when a ceremonial cord was cut that signaled water to flow into the ship’s building dock,” Viking said. “Following a two-day process that will set the Viking Astrea afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.”
The vessel will have 499 staterooms and is a sister ship to Viking Libra, which is slated to make its debut in November.
A Sister Ship to Viking Libra
Both ships will be equipped with “a propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells,” enabling them to operate with zero emissions to safely explore some of the most environmentally sensitive destinations around the globe, Viking said.
Designing Environmentally Efficient Ships
“The float out of the Viking Astrea represents another important milestone for Viking,” said Viking President and Chief Executive Officer Leah Talactac. “From the beginning, we have sought thoughtful ways to design more efficient ships, and the Viking Astrea is an important step forward in that ongoing effort.”
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