Explora Journeys, the luxury segment unit in the cruise division of Geneva based MSC group, said it has increased the number of newbuildings by two to six and that its third to sixth newbuildings would use LNG and that they would have a 6MW hydrogen fuel cell.

The fuel cell would allow the ships to generate power emission free for the hotel load when in port.

Explora III and Explora IV will be 19 metres longer than the  first two 243 metre, 64,000 gross ton ships the line has on order at Fincantieri. The extra length is needed to accommodate the systems needed for the LNG and hydrogen fuels that were not included in the design when they were ordered

Explora V and Explora VI that the company has decided to add to its order book with Fincantieri, will feature new type of LNG engines that will tackle the issue of methane slip, Explora Journeys said in a statement.

A firm order for the ships five and six is subject to financing, it added.

Photo: Explora I