Explora Journeys Celebrates Two Milestones With Next Two Ships

Just two months after the delivery of Explora I, Explora Journeys celebrated a double milestone on Sept. 6 – the float-out of Explora II and the steel cutting for Explora III. The luxury line, part of MSC Group, also has plans for a fourth ship in early 2027. 

The total investment for the four ships is about 2.3 billion euros and is capable of generating a spillover effect on the Italian economy of more than 10 billion euros. 

The ceremony was attended by leading Ligurian and Genoese authorities, as well as Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys, and Leonardo Massa, managing director for Italy of the new cruise brand. Doing the honors for Fincantieri were CEO and Managing Director Pierroberto Folgiero, and Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Merchant Ships Division. 

“Today’s double ceremony represents an important step forward in building and strengthening our brand, which is redefining the standards of luxury ocean travel thanks to the unparalleled experience that Explora Journeys’ ships offer our guests,” Ungerer said. “These ships, which are also at the forefront from an environmental point of view, are among the best ambassadors of ‘Made in Italy’ in the world and bear witness to both Italy’s high manufacturing and shipbuilding capacity, and to the MSC Group’s commitment to a country in which we continue to believe and invest very significant resources.”

After being launched into the water for the first time, Explora II will be delivered in summer 2024, spending her first seasons in the Mediterranean. Explora I, which is concluding its inaugural season in Europe and this winter will sail between the Caribbean and the East and West Coasts of the United States, will return to the Mediterranean in summer 2024. 

Explora III, whose construction began with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony, will enter service in the summer of 2026 and will be the first ship in the fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), billed as one of the world’s cleanest marine fuels available on a large scale -- which is destined to play a crucial role in the decarbonization path of shipping globally. Indeed, LNG is capable of substantially reducing sulfur oxide (99 percent) and nitrogen oxide (85 percent) emissions, and also plays a decisive role in climate change mitigation because it can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 percent.

In January 2024, construction will begin on Explora IV, also powered by LNG, which will be completed in early 2027. All of the Explora Journeys vessels will be equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies, including selective catalytic reduction technology, shore power plug-in connectivity, underwater noise management systems to help protect marine life, and a comprehensive range of onboard energy efficient equipment to optimize engine use to further reduce emissions.

The Cruises Division of MSC Group, the privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate, has two distinct brands -- the contemporary and luxury brands, MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, respectively. 

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