The Viking Astrea, Viking’s second hydrogen-powered cruise ship designed to operate with zero emissions, has touched water for the first time following her float-out, marking a key milestone in the construction process. The ship is scheduled for delivery in May 2027, when the Viking Astrea will enter service with her inaugural season featuring itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
The float-out ceremony took place at the Fincantieri Ancona Shipyard, marking the Viking Astrea’s transition into the final stage of construction. Operations began with the traditional cutting of a ceremonial cord, allowing water to flow into the ship’s building dock. Over the following two days, the ship was gradually brought fully afloat before being transferred to a nearby outfitting dock, where construction and interior fit-out work will continue.
Leah Talactac, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viking, described the float-out of the Viking Astrea as “another important milestone for Viking.” She noted that, from the outset, the company has focused on developing increasingly efficient ships, highlighting the Viking Astrea as another significant step forward in this ongoing effort.
Like all of Viking’s ocean ships, the Viking Astrea is classified as a small ship. She will have a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons, with 499 staterooms accommodating up to 998 guests. A sister ship to the vessels in Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet, she will be equipped with an innovative hybrid propulsion system combining liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells, enabling her to operate with zero emissions and access areas with particularly sensitive environments.
The propulsion system, developed with the contribution of Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), a Fincantieri Group company specializing in advanced fuel cell technologies, will be capable of generating up to six megawatts of power. The Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship designed to operate with zero emissions, is scheduled for delivery in November 2026.
With the Viking Astrea, Viking is further advancing its journey toward a new generation of more efficient ocean ships with a lower environmental impact. The float-out in Ancona represents not only an important milestone in the ship’s construction, but also another step forward in the company’s strategy focused on hydrogen-powered propulsion.
Giorgia Lombardo
