Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise brand of MSC Group, marked a major step in its fleet expansion with three key milestones celebrated simultaneously at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente.
The shipbuilder held the technical launch of Explora III, the coin ceremony for Explora IV, and steel cutting for Explora V, all in one day demonstrating the momentum behind MSC’s €3.5 billion investment into its growing luxury cruise division.
Fleet Expansion Through 2028
By 2028, Explora Journeys will operate a six-ship fleet. Explora I and II are already in service, with Explora VI set to be the final addition. All vessels are being constructed in Italy by Fincantieri, showcasing the strength and craftsmanship of the Italian shipbuilding industry.
Each ship generates over 7 million man-hours of work and supports more than 2,500 workers, contributing to a wider economic impact estimated at over €15 billion across the Italian supply chain.
Focus on Sustainability and Innovation
Explora’s ships are designed with sustainability at their core. They will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and equipped to use bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. Key environmental features include:
- Hydrogen fuel cell technology
- Cold ironing capabilities for zero emissions in port
- Selective catalytic reduction systems
- Advanced marine ecosystem protection systems
