At Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard (Cantieri Navali Di Sestri in Port Genoa) on July 14th, Explora Journeys celebrated three significant shipbuilding milestones in a single ceremony: the float-out of Explora III, the keel‑laying (assembly) of Explora IV, and the steel‑cutting (official construction) of Explora V.
These ceremonies signal continued progress on a 6‑unit fleet slated for completion by 2028, with the first two vessels (Explora I and Explora II) already in service and operating at near full capacity.
With a designed capacity for 922 guests, Explora 3 stands as the brand’s first LNG-powered ship, scheduled for launch in 2026. Explora 4 and 5 are scheduled for deliveries in 2027, while Explora 6 is slated for 2028.
Two of these vessels (4 and 5) are being outfitted to support future fuel cell technologies that can convert LNG into hydrogen, furthering Explora’s clean-energy ambition.
Anna Nash (Explora Journeys' President) emphasised that the integrated ceremonies reflect the brand’s vision to redefine ultra-elegant ocean travel, crediting collaboration between the MSC Group, Fincantieri, and leadership support from the Aponte‑Vago family
The coin ceremony for Explora IV included a traditional blessing by Caroline Cooney‑Hurrell, honoured as godmother for her instrumental role in guest experience, while Franca Parisi of Fincantieri oversaw the proceedings.
This expansion follows an EUR 3.5 billion investment by MSC Group into the fleet, bolstering Italian shipbuilding and aligning with environmental goals. All new vessels will include advanced technologies such as shore power connection, underwater noise reduction systems, and energy-efficient engines. LNG propulsion is the baseline for Explora III onward, with the capacity to transition to bio-LNG, synthetic LNG, and incorporate hydrogen fuel cells.