Explora Journeys Names Explora III, Its First LNG-Fuelled Cruise Ship, in Barcelona
Key Takeaways
- •Explora III is the third vessel in the Explora Journeys fleet and the brand's first ship equipped to run on liquefied natural gas.
- •The vessel's dual-fuel LNG engines provide flexibility to switch to bio-LNG or synthetic LNG once those fuels become commercially available.
- •DNV data indicates that the global LNG-fuelled fleet currently totals 929 ships, of which 35 are cruise vessels.
- •MSC Group launched the Explora Journeys brand in 2021 as part of its strategy to expand into the luxury cruise market.
- •Methane slip from LNG combustion remains a known limitation that partially offsets the fuel's greenhouse gas reduction benefits compared to conventional marine fuels.
MSC Group's luxury cruise brand Explora Journeys has officially named its new cruise ship, Explora III, at a ceremony held in Barcelona. The company announced the naming in a LinkedIn post on Monday.
Explora III, the third vessel to join the Explora Journeys fleet, is the brand's first ship capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG), marking a notable step in its efforts to adopt cleaner marine fuels. The ship's dual-fuel LNG engines also position it to use bio-LNG or synthetic LNG if those fuels become commercially available, giving the vessel a degree of forward flexibility as shipping's energy transition progresses.
The addition comes as the shipping industry works toward the International Maritime Organization's greenhouse gas reduction strategy, which targets net-zero emissions by or around 2050. Cruise operators have faced particular scrutiny on emissions because of the visibility of their vessels and their frequent operation near populated port areas.
According to data from classification society DNV, the global LNG-fuelled fleet currently comprises 929 ships, of which 35 are LNG-fuelled cruise vessels. LNG is widely regarded as a more mature and readily available alternative marine fuel compared with other options such as methanol.
While LNG combustion emits less CO2 than conventional marine fuels, the phenomenon known as methane slip — the release of unburned methane, a potent greenhouse gas — has been identified as a factor that diminishes some of the fuel's environmental advantages. In response, some shipowners are exploring bio-LNG, which can be used in existing LNG-fuelled vessels and is associated with higher net greenhouse gas reductions.
MSC Group launched the Explora Journeys brand in 2021 as part of its expansion into the luxury cruise segment.
The original news article was published by Ship & Bunker.