Viking’s new cruise ship, measuring 239 meters long with a gross tonnage of 54,300 and 499 staterooms accommodating 998 guests, will be propelled about one-third by liquid hydrogen fuel cells rated up to six megawatts, or roughly 8,000 horsepower. The remaining propulsion relies on conventional power systems. The fuel cells were constructed by Isotta Fraschini Motori, a Fincantieri subsidiary in Bari.
This vessel will carry its liquefied hydrogen fuel in containers loaded aboard at port calls because no cruise port worldwide currently has infrastructure to pump liquid hydrogen directly. This containerized refueling approach is a pioneering solution developed by Fincantieri
to address the absence of liquid hydrogen bunker facilities in major ports such as Bergen and Barcelona.
The ship was floated out at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard on March 19, 2026, and is expected to join Viking’s fleet in November 2026. Its initial deployment will include Mediterranean and Northern European routes, including Norwegian fjords.
Norway’s zero-emission regulations mandate that passenger ships over 10,000 gross tons emit no direct CO2 or methane while operating inside specific fjords starting January 1, 2032. Ships under 10,000 GT have been subject to similar mandates since January 1, 2026. Viking’s 54,300 GT ship arrives six years
ahead of the requirement for its size.
Hydrogen fuel cells emit only water vapor at the point of use; however, emissions depend on hydrogen’s production method. Viking has not disclosed any agreements with suppliers or specified the hydrogen’s production type, which affects the ship’s overall lifecycle emissions. Viking’s chairman, Torstein Hagen, acknowledged on a May 14 earnings call that hydrogen remains costly and not easily sourced. The ship can operate zero-emission propulsion for certain stretches but defaults to conventional fuel as needed. Closed-loop scrubbers installed on every Viking ocean fleet ship, including this one, enable operation on heavy fuel oil
as a backup.
Other industry developments include Fincantieri’s Isotta Fraschini Motori firing the first 100% hydrogen-fueled single-cylinder engine on July 22, 2026, developed in partnership with UK consultancy Ricardo. MSC’s World Europa ship has operated a 150-kilowatt LNG fuel cell demonstrator since 2022, while MSC’s Explora V and VI with liquid hydrogen fuel cells of up to six megawatts for hotel loads are slated for 2027 and 2028 delivery. Viking plans to launch another hydrogen-powered ship, Astrea, in 2027. Overall, hydrogen propulsion technology hardware is emerging faster than the supply of hydrogen fuel itself.
Viking’s chairman Torstein Hagen described the
propulsion system as providing roughly one-third of the ship’s power and stated the project is “setting a direction of travel for the future of shipping.” Viking’s corporate communications said the propulsion is “based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells,” emphasizing capability for zero emissions during some operational phases rather than continuous zero-emission operation.
