Fincantieri Ancona delivers Viking’s newest ocean ship, Viking Mira

Photo: Fincantieri

Viking yesterday took delivery of Viking Mira, its newest ocean ship, in a ceremony at Fincantieri’s Ancona, Italy, shipyard.

Like all Viking ocean ships, the 54,300 grt Viking Mira is classified as a small ship, with 499 staterooms accommodating 998 guests.and will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

“We are delighted to welcome the Viking Mira to our elegant fleet of small sister ships,” said Leah Talactac, president and CEO of Viking. “Our guests are curious travelers, and the arrival of a new ship allows us to offer them even more opportunities to explore the world in Viking comfort. We look forward to welcoming guests on board the Viking Mira during her inaugural season and for many years ahead.”

The delivery ceremony was attended by Jeff Dash, Viking’s executive vice president and head of business development, Giorgio Gomiero, senior vice president operations at Fincantieri and Gilberto Tobaldi, director of the Ancona Shipyard.

All Viking vessels are designed and built in accordance with the latest international safety and navigation regulations and are equipped with advanced technological solutions and highly efficient propulsion systems aimed at reducing emissions and minimizing environmental impact.

With technology from Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), Fincantieri’s subsidiary specializing in advanced fuel cell technology, Viking Libra, Viking’s next ocean ship, will feature a hybrid propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. This hybrid propulsion system will make the ship capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions, allowing it to access even the most environmentally sensitive areas.

The collaboration between Fincantieri and Viking, which began in 2012, continues to be a strong partnership in the cruise sector. Counting in ships already ordered, contracts signed and recently agreed options, the two groups’ overall portfolio is now 26 ships.

The Ancona shipyard is one of Fincantieri’s main production hubs. In recent years, the site has undergone a comprehensive development program aimed at strengthening its competitiveness through infrastructure, technological, and logistics upgrades jointly supported by the company and the public port system.

Covering an area of 360,000 square meters, the yard has a production capacity of 60,000 gross tons, lifting systems capable of handling up to 500 tons, and hull production potential of 1,200 tons per month. Since 2009, more than 20 ships have been delivered. The shipyard is also an active part of Fincantieri’s Operations Excellence program, which includes the introduction of advanced technologies, robotics, and AI to increase efficiency and improve quality of work.