Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions, is set to launch this year.
Scheduled for November 2026, the Viking Libra will sail itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe for its first season.
Classified as a small ship, the Viking Libra has 499 staterooms that can host up to 998 guests.
The new ship was ‘floated out’ last week, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water.
The Viking Libra will have a propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells.
This hybrid system will make the ship capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions.
As such, the Viking Libra will be able to to access even the most environmentally sensitive areas.
Tthe ship’s state-of-the-art propulsion system will also be capable of producing up to six megawatts of power.
It comes as part of a movement to increase the sustainability of cruises.
The Viking Astrea, which is also under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2027, will also be hydrogen-powered and capable of operating with zero emissions.
Torstein Hagen, chairman and CEO of Viking, said: ‘The float out of the Viking Libra represents another milestone for Viking and our continued partnership with Fincantieri.
‘From the beginning, our approach to ship design has focused on reducing fuel consumption, and the Viking Libra is our most environmentally friendly vessel yet.
‘Investing in hydrogen was a principled choice for Viking, offering a true zero?emission solution, and we look forward to welcoming the world’s first hydrogen?powered cruise ship to our fleet.’
The float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard. This is a ceremony that takes place when a new vessel is first touched by water.
The float out of the Viking Libra began when a ceremonial cord was cut that signalled water to flow into the ship’s building dock.
It comes after Viking Ocean Cruises and Viking Expedition Operations were ranked as two of the world’s cleanest cruise lines, earlier this month.
Viking Ocean Cruises sails from ports around the world, including popular UK departure points Greenwich, Portsmouth and Tilbury, London.
From here, passengers can travel to destinations such as Venice, Hong Kong, Montenegro and Sydney.
Meanwhile, Viking Expedition Operations focuses on smaller, more adventure-led cruises to desinations such as Antarctica.
It primarily departs from Greenwich and Tilbury, with additional stops often including Lerwick (Shetland Islands) and Aberdeen, Scotland.
Meanwhile, the cruise corporations operating the cleanest ships in 2025 included Viking.