Explora Journeys has taken delivery of Explora III, the third luxury cruise ship built by Fincantieri for MSC Group’s luxury travel brand. The delivery took place at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa. It marks the halfway point of Explora Journeys’ fleet expansion programme. Three of the six planned vessels are now in service, while Explora IV and Explora V are scheduled for delivery in 2027, followed by Explora VI in 2028. The six-ship programme represents an investment of more than €3.5 billion. According to the companies, it is expected to generate an economic impact of more than €15 billion in Italy while supporting thousands of jobs. Explora III is the first vessel in the fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). It can also operate on renewable fuels, including bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels. The ship is equipped with shore power connectivity, allowing it to switch off its engines while alongside and reduce emissions in port. Compared with conventional marine fuels, LNG can reduce sulphur oxide emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 85%, particulate matter by 98%, and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20%, according to Fincantieri. The vessel has also received several certifications from RINA, including Green Plus for environmental performance, Comfort Noise and Vibration, Dolphin for reduced underwater radiated noise, and Polar Code C, allowing operations in polar regions. Future vessels Explora V and Explora VI will also be equipped with fuel cells to support the cruise industry’s transition towards net-zero emissions. The post Explora Journeys takes delivery of LNG-powered Explora III appeared first on Container News .