It appears, according to the Financial Times, that one of the issues impacting the delivery of Explora 1’s delay, could be that its fire resistant panels are defective.

Manufactured by Paroc, a Finnish insulation company, the panels, which had been certified with a safety rating, failed when being tested for safety classification even though the original certificate should have been valid until 2025.

Even more disruptive is the fact that, in addition to Explora, similar fire resistant panels made by Paroc are in use aboard some 45 passenger ships that are currently in service. These include, according to the report in the FT, recently delivered MSC Euribia.

Paroc was acquired by U.S. company Owens Corning in 2018. It is currently working with its customers and regulatory authorities to find out the possible risks caused by using the products, according to FT.

We’ll continue to update this story as we learn new details.

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The delivery ceremony of Explora I that was scheduled for today, July 6, at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, has been cancelled, it has been reported. The 461-suite, 63,900 gross ton luxury ship, the first in the fleet of MSC Group’s nascent Explora Journeys brand is under construction at Fincantieri, in Italy.

The cause of the delay, according to a statement from MSC Cruises, is supply line issues that resulted in Explora I not being finished to the satisfication of its owners. "Unfortunately, the time required for the work will extend the vessel’s stay at the shipyard by a few weeks," MSC Cruises said in a statement Tuesday.

At the moment we’re still waiting on word about whether or not the christening, when the christening, which was due to take place on Saturday, July 8, will occur. As well, the company has not yet announced if Explora I will depart from Southampton on Monday, July 17. Interestingly, accommodations on the all-suite ship were still available for the maiden voyage, starting from $3,950 for a five day voyage.

We’ll provide updates as the story warrants.