Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise brand of MSC Group, has taken delivery of Explora III from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, with the vessel notable for being the first in the six-ship fleet to be powered by LNG.

The handover ceremony took place on 23 July at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, attended by regional and municipal officials alongside senior executives from both companies.

Explora III is capable of operating on bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels in addition to conventional LNG. The vessel is also fitted with a shore power connection system, which allows engines to be switched off during port calls in order to reduce emissions at berth.

The ship has been built under the class supervision of RINA and has received a 'Green Plus' notation for environmental performance, a 'Comfort Noise and Vibration' notation, and a 'Dolphin' notation — the latter recognising reduced underwater noise in ecologically sensitive marine areas. The vessel also holds a Polar Code C certification, permitting navigation in polar regions.

With Explora III now operational, three of the six planned vessels in the Explora Journeys fleet are in service. The remaining three are under construction: Explora IV and Explora V are due to enter service in 2027, followed by Explora VI in 2028. All six ships are being built exclusively by Fincantieri.

Explora V and Explora VI are set to go further on alternative energy, with both vessels planned to incorporate fuel cells — a technology Fincantieri notes will enable net-zero emissions well ahead of 2050.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and general manager of Fincantieri, stated: “Explora III demonstrates Fincantieri’s ability to lead the transformation of the shipbuilding industry through innovation, sustainability, and the evolution towards new technologies and fuels.”

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruise division, remarked: “Explora III reflects our commitment towards innovation, craftsmanship excellence and responsible growth, whilst contributing to the broader economic benefits that cruise tourism brings to destinations and coastal communities.”

The total investment by MSC in the six-ship programme exceeds €3.5 billion, according to Fincantieri, whilst the firm's Sestri Ponente shipyard, dedicated to cruise ship construction, is said to have delivered 18 vessels since 2003 and hold an order book extending to 2037.