SESTRI PONENTE, ITALY, 26 October 2026: Explora Journeys and Fincantieri have marked two construction milestones at the Italian shipbuilder’s Sestri Ponente shipyard, with the float-out of EXPLORA V and the traditional coin ceremony for EXPLORA VI.
The events mark further progress in Fincantieri’s construction of the six-vessel fleet for the MSC Group’s luxury ocean travel brand, scheduled for completion by mid-2028.
EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI Construction Advances
The ceremonies follow the delivery of EXPLORA III at the end of July 2026, with Fincantieri responsible for building all six Explora Journeys vessels.
EXPLORA IV is scheduled for delivery in spring 2027, followed by EXPLORA V towards the end of the year. EXPLORA VI is expected to enter service in time for summer 2028.
Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, and Camilla Ronco, an employee in Fincantieri’s hull pre-assembly workshop, served as godmothers for the EXPLORA VI coin ceremony. They placed two coins inside the vessel’s hull as part of the maritime tradition associated with good fortune.
Consuelo Brunelli, an employee in Fincantieri’s planning department, served as godmother for the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking EXPLORA V’s float-out.
MSC Investment Exceeds €3.5 Billion
MSC’s investment in the six Italian-built vessels exceeds €3.5 billion, generating an economic impact of more than €15 billion across Italy. The construction programme supports businesses and employment throughout the shipbuilding supply chain, particularly in Genoa and Liguria.
Each vessel requires more than seven million working hours and provides employment for an average of 2,500 people over a construction period of two to three years.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of the MSC Group, highlighted the importance of the milestones and MSC’s continuing investment in Italy. He also referenced Explora Journeys’ existing calls at 19 Italian destinations, which bring international travellers to different regions of the country.
LNG and Fuel Cell Technologies
EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI will operate using liquefied natural gas (LNG) and are designed to accommodate renewable and next-generation fuels, including bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels.
EXPLORA VI will also feature fuel cell technology, while EXPLORA V is designed to accommodate the same system. Both ships will have shore power connectivity, enabling engines to be switched off when connected to electricity supplies at equipped ports. These capabilities support Explora Journeys’ contribution to MSC Cruises’ long-term decarbonisation strategy.
Fincantieri Highlights Italian Shipbuilding Expertise
Fincantieri’s Italian supply chain comprises approximately 7,000 suppliers and supports more than 90,000 jobs. Liguria accounts for around 800 suppliers and more than 3,600 direct Fincantieri employees. The Sestri Ponente shipyard has delivered 19 vessels since 2003 and holds an order book extending to 2037.
Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri, described the company’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence, robotics and automation into shipbuilding processes. He said this transformation builds on workforce expertise and collaboration with industrial partners.
Folgiero also identified EXPLORA V as an example of combining “beauty, functionality and innovation” with advanced industrial and environmental technologies.
The first three Explora Journeys vessels are already operating, with the remaining ships scheduled to complete the fleet by mid-2028.
Source: Official Press Release published by Explora Journeys on 26 October 2026, Geneva.
