GENOA, Italy – Another major milestone for Italian shipbuilding and ocean-going luxury travel. At the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, the official delivery ceremony took place for Explora III, the third ship in the fleet of Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of the MSC Group.
The event marks a decisive moment for the company’s industrial plan: with the addition of Explora III, the fleet reaches exactly the midpoint of its scheduled program, bringing the number of operational ships to three out of a total of six units planned by 2028.
Explora III is not only a new expression of high-end tourism, but a true powerhouse of technological and ecological innovation.
She is the first ship in the Explora class powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG allows for a significant reduction in environmental impact, drastically cutting emissions of sulfur oxides (-99%), nitrogen oxides (-85%), particulate matter (-98%), and up to 20% of greenhouse gases compared to traditional marine fuels.
The ship is also equipped for the future use of synthetic and biological fuels (bio-LNG) and features a cold ironing setup, allowing connection to the onshore power grid during port stays to eliminate emissions while docked.
Among the main environmental and comfort recognitions awarded under RINA supervision:
* “Green Plus” Class: for top performance in terms of environmental sustainability.
* “Dolphin” Notation: certification attesting to the minimization of underwater acoustic noise to protect marine wildlife and sensitive ocean areas.
* “Comfort Noise and Vibration” Notation: to ensure guests experience near-total absence of noise and vibrations on board.
Authorities and Industrial Leadership in Sestri Ponente
The delivery ceremony was attended by top institutional officials and corporate executives. Guests included the President of the Liguria Region, Marco Bucci, the Mayor of Genoa, Silvia Salis, Inspector Admiral Antonio Ranieri, and the President of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, Matteo Paroli.
Welcoming the attendees were Fincantieri’s top management, led by Chairman Biagio Mazzotta and CEO Pierroberto Folgiero, alongside leaders of the MSC Group, including Chairman Diego Aponte, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division Pierfrancesco Vago, President of Explora Journeys Anna Nash, and the ship’s godmother, Maya Aponte.
Explora III is a symbol of a growing Liguria that continues to lead as a protagonist in the blue economy», emphasized the President of the Liguria Region, Marco Bucci, highlighting the strategic value of investments in the Sestri Ponente shipyard.
The Future of the Explora Journeys Fleet
The entire project of six elite units for Explora Journeys represents an overall investment by the MSC Group exceeding €3.5 billion, generating an estimated economic impact on the Italian economy of over €15 billion.
| Ship | Status / Expected Delivery | Fuel Type |
|—|—|—|
| Explora I | Operational (2023) | Advanced Traditional |
| Explora II | Operational (2024) | Advanced Traditional |
| Explora III | Delivered | LNG / Bio-LNG |
| Explora IV | Under construction (2027) | LNG / Hydrogen ready |
| Explora V | Under construction (2027) | LNG / Hydrogen ready |
| Explora VI | Under construction (2028) | LNG / Hydrogen ready |
With final testing completed and the handover ceremony concluded, Explora III is now preparing to set sail for her maiden voyage, carrying Italian style, elegance, and naval engineering to seas across the globe.
