Fincantieri and Viking have marked the delivery of Viking Mira at the Italian builder’s Ancona shipyard, continuing a long-standing partnership between the two companies in the small-ship cruise sector. The handover ceremony was attended by Viking Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development Jeff Dash, Fincantieri Senior Vice President Operations Giorgio Gomiero and Ancona shipyard director Gilberto Tobaldi.
The vessel, measuring approximately 54,300 gross tons, accommodates up to 998 passengers in 499 staterooms and will operate itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe as part of Viking’s ocean fleet, all of which have been constructed by Fincantieri.
Fincantieri stated that the ship had been built in accordance with the latest international safety and navigation regulations and equipped with advanced propulsion and environmental technologies intended to reduce emissions and limit operational impact. The delivery also reflects the continued expansion of the relationship between Viking and Fincantieri, which began in 2012 and now encompasses a combined portfolio of 26 vessels, including ordered ships, signed contracts and option agreements still subject to financing conditions.
The Ancona yard remains one of Fincantieri’s principal production centres and has undergone a broad programme of infrastructure, logistics and technological upgrades in recent years. Covering approximately 360,000 square metres, the facility maintains a production capacity of 60,000 gross tons, lifting systems capable of handling up to 500 tons and monthly hull construction capacity of around 1,200 tons. Since 2009, the yard has delivered more than 20 vessels through a workforce of approximately 3,700 employees representing multiple nationalities and technical disciplines.
Fincantieri also noted that the shipyard continues to participate in the group’s Operations Excellence programme, which incorporates robotics, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing technologies intended to improve productivity and working conditions across its shipbuilding network.