Viking has exercised options for Fincantieri to build two ocean ships to be delivered in 2026 and 2027. The deal is part of a six-ship option Viking announced in 2018 — the ships are the third and fourth vessels in the agreement. Unlike the first two ships, they will be equipped with hydrogen fuel cells to produce power. A Fincantieri news release did not detail how Viking would use hydrogen power. In July, Fincantieri announced a deal with Explora Journeys, saying ships due in 2027 and 2028 will each have a six-megawatt fuel cell, producing emissions-free power for the ships’ hotel operations. The fuel cells would enable Explora’s ships to emit zero emissions in port with the engines turned off.
Viking and Fincantieri also have signed the contract for the fifth and sixth ships in the option, but both are pending access to financing. Those ships are due in 2028. The ships will…