Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has held a keel-laying ceremony for Viking Astrea at its Ancona yard, with delivery planned for 2027.

Viking Astrea is the sister ship to Viking Libra, which Fincantieri has described as the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship. According to the company, the new vessel will also feature a propulsion system based in part on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells.

Fincantieri noted that the ship has been designed with sustainability as a core focus and will be capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions.

The company also said the project marks an important step for its Ancona shipyard, which it sees as playing a strategic role in future construction programmes through the use of increasingly advanced technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence.