Viking's new hydrogen powered ship promises zero-emission cruises
Viking is set to launch the first cruise ship capable of sailing with zero emissions.
The brand is working with shipyard Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, to build the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship called Viking Libra.
The ship, set for delivery in late 2026, will have a hybrid propulsion system that uses liquified hydrogen to power a PEM, or polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system.
Viking and Fincantieri said this technology will produce up to six megawatts of power – enough to typically power smaller ships – and give it the capability to navigate with zero emissions, plus access to more environmentally sensitive areas.
Viking Libra will have a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300. It will feature 499 cabins and space for 998 passengers, meaning it's classed as a small ship.
The cruise line's next ocean ship, Viking Astrea, which is currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2027, will also be hydrogen-powered.
Torstein Hagen, chief executive of Viking, said: 'From the outset, we have designed our river and ocean ships thoughtfully to reduce their fuel consumption, and we are very proud the Viking Libra and the Viking Astrea will be even more environmentally friendly.
'Viking made the principled decision to invest in hydrogen, which offers a true zero-emission solution. We look forward to welcoming the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship to our fleet in 2026.'
Other cruise lines are also taking steps to make their ships more environmentally friendly.
MSC Cruises' two newest ships, World Europa and World America, are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a greener form of fuel.
Havila Voyages ships are also powered by LNG but have battery packs that mean they can sail for four hours around Norway with zero emissions.
Expedition cruise brand Hurtigruten is currently working on a zero-emission cruise ship to launch in 2030, which will be powered by a 60-megawatt battery pack.
This will give it a range of 300–350 nautical miles per charge, and it would need to recharge seven or eight times during an 11-day round trip.
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Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Simon Reeve picks his best city on the planet having explored 130 countries
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Times
9 hours ago
- Times
17 of the best river cruises in Europe for 2025
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This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Best for romanceWith big cruise ships now banned from the heart of Venice, an unobtrusive luxury river cruise boat is the best way to explore the city and the islands of the misty lagoon. You'll dock at San Basilio on the Giudecca Canaland usually spend three or four nights here, with plenty of time to lose yourself among Venice's greeny-blue waters, marble palaces and sunlit squares. There'll be forays into the lagoon and, water levels permitting, along the River Po. Here you can take in islands including Burano, famed for its brightly painted houses, Murano, the centre of Venice's glassblowing industry, and sleepy Torcello. 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There's time in Prague itself too, to see the Charles Bridge, the castle and the atmospheric old town. • Read our full guide to Prague Best for hunting for the Loch Ness MonsterThe Caledonian Canal follows the natural fault line of the Great Glen, which slices through northern Scotland. A cruise along it means sailing over silent lochs, framed by brooding mountains, forest and heather-clad hillsides, on a voyage that takes you between Oban, on Scotland's west coast, and Inverness in the northeast. You'll explore the sea lochs of the west, stopping at Loch Leven and the Highlands village of Glencoe, before sailing the length of Loch Linnhe and into the canal itself. One of the highlights here is Neptune's Staircase, an extraordinary flight of eight locks. You'll also sail the length of narrow Loch Ness, sheer-sided mountains plunging into the deep, dark, peaty waters that conceal the secret of 'Nessie'. • Discover our full guide to Scotland Best for impressive architecture The very name Andalusia conjures up images of flamenco and sherry, of narrow winding streets through historic old towns. It's not normally associated with cruising, but it is possible to experience the charms of southern Spain and see some of its greatest classical cities on a river cruise. You'll typically wander the elaborate Alcazar and beautiful gardens of Seville, discover the sherry bodegas of Jerez, spend time in the coastal city of Cadiz, and discover Cordoba's celebrated mosque-cathedral. • Discover our full guide to Andalusia Best for la dolce vitaThere's no better way to explore the world's most famous city on water than from a cruise between Venice and Mantua, or vice versa, on the Po River. You'll glide to some of Italy's prettiest towns including Chioggia, with its winding canals and gelato-coloured buildings, and Adria, an Etruscan town known for its archaeological museum. Excursions included along the way will see you snooping around the gothic Doge's Palace in Venice, enjoying a private wine tasting in the cellars of the Bagnoli Estate and dining ashore at the 17th-century villa Ca'Zen, where Byron wrote some of his best poetry. Best for history lovers Flowing through nine counties, the Thames is England's longest river and passes some of the country's most fascinating historical sites. After meeting fellow guests over (what else?) a traditional afternoon tea in central London, you'll transfer to an eight-passenger barge and sail to Hampton Court Palace to tour Henry VIII's apartments, cruising onwards through Runnymede to Windsor Castle. 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Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK seaside town with world's shortest street that only has room for one address
Measuring in at just 6ft and nine inches in length (2.06m), the world's shortest street is actually located in a UK seaside town known for its beautiful scenery, rich wildlife, and ubiquitous history A quaint coastal town dripping with natural beauty and maritime history has one bizarre fame to claim - it is home to the world's shortest street. Situated in the far north of Scotland, in Caithness, lies the former Viking settlement of Wick. Once the busiest herring port in Europe, the tiny seaside town now attracts tourists from all over the globe thanks to its intricate castle ruins, rugged cliffs, and rich wildlife. "Around three miles north from Wick the dramatic 15th to 17th century ruins of Sinclair and Girnigoe castles rise steeply from a needle-thin promontory," hails Visit Scotland, the area's official tourist board. "There is a good clifftop walk to the castle via Noss Head Lighthouse from the tiny fishing village of Staxigoe. Visitors will encounter a wide selection of wildlife along the way including various species of seabirds and puffins and a beautiful scenic beach, popular for windsurfing and sand-yachting, awaits them at the end of Sinclair Bay." For tourists wanting to visit something a little more unusual, head over to Ebenezer Place, the world's shortest street. Measuring in at just 6ft and nine inches in length (2.06m) - the street is so tiny it can only fit one address, Mackay's Hotel's No. 1 Bistro. The eatery, idyllically set next to the Wick River, serves up mouth-watering dishes based on local produce - as well as afternoon tea, cocktail masterclasses, and (of course) whisky. In 2006, the street - which is maintained by Highland Council as road authority - scooped a Guinness World Record on October 28, 2006, officially crowning it the shortest street on the planet. "When Alexander Sinclair returned from America in 1883, after making his fortune, he built Mackays Hotel on the corner of Union Street and River Street," Mackay's Hotel's website states. "The council instructed him to put a name on the short end of the building, as they deemed it a separate street. Ebenezer Place then appeared in the town's records from 1887." Located more than 670 miles from central London, driving to Wick from the Big Smoke will take you almost 13 hours. If you're not prepared for such a gruelling car journey, you can fly to Inverness, and then drive two and a half hours down to the town. Flights to Inverness take just one and a half hours, and depart from both London Luton and Heathrow Airport. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £44 in July. Do you have a story to share? Email us at yourmirror@ for a chance to be featured.
