Sunstone - Bygg nr. CMHI-196-1/-10 ved CMHI, ULSTEIN CX103 "Greg Mortimer/Sylvia Earle/Ocean Victory/Ocean Explorer/Ocean Odyssey/Ocean Albatross"

Polarskipet Greg Mortimer klart for sjøsetting

Sjøsettingsseremonien til ‘Greg Mortimer’, det første polare ekspedisjonscruiseskipet i SunStone Ships sin INFINITY-serie, vart halde om morgonen den 12. mars på CMHI-verftet i Kina. Same morgon var det også halde brennestartseremoni på skip nummer tre i serien.

Cruisereiseoperatøren Aurora Expeditions har chartra fartøyet, og kalt det opp etter sin grunnleggar, Greg Mortimer, som også deltok på dagens seremoni.

Lars Ståle Skoge i Ulstein Design & Solutions saman med Greg Mortimer, grunnleggaren av Aurora Expeditions.
I følgje Xianpu Hu, administrerande direktør i China Merchants Industry Group, blei bygginga av fartøy nummer 1 igangsett 16. mars 2018, for mindre enn eitt år sidan. Dette har dei oppnådd på grunn av det gode samarbeidet med leverandørar og serviceindustrien.

Niels Erik Lund, president for SunStone Ships, sa i sin tale at meir enn 1,8 millionar arbeidstimar har blitt lagt ned i dette skipet. - Dette er første gong eit ekspedisjonscruiseskip vert bygd på eit kinesisk verft. Framdrifta har vore jamn og ligg på plan. Eg er overtydd om at vi kjem til å få sjå ei trygg og god levering av dette fartøyet seinare i år, slik at fartøyet kan starte turane sine til Antarktis denne vintersesongen.

Ulstein sin kontrakt er med CMHI-verftet. Fire faste kontraktar med verftet har til no blitt signert. Vidare ligg det inne seks opsjonar. Alle fartøya er i SunStone sin INFINITY-serie av polare ekspedisjonsfartøy. Desse skipa er 104,4 m lange og 18,4 m breie. Dei har ein passasjerkapasitet på 130-200, og ein mannskapskapasitet på 85-115, og er bygd etter isstandarden PC6, Cat B

Kilde: Ulstein

"Greg Mortimer"
Guests-at-the-ceremony.jpg



The-Greg-Mortimer-being-prepared-for-launch.jpg

Alle foto: via Ulstein
 
ANNOUNCING THE NEW OCEAN EXPLORER, LAUNCHING IN 2021

Experience the Future of Cruising on Vantage’s First Small Ship Ocean Cruising Expedition Vessel

Vantage is marking a major milestone with the launch of our new intimately scaled ocean cruising ship, the Ocean Explorer, scheduled to launch in March 2021 for luxury global exploration. The Ocean Explorer’s sister ship, the Ocean Odyssey, is set to launch in 2022.

For those who believe there can never be a true synergy between luxury travel and expedition cruising, we’re defying expectations. Fine dining, small passenger-to-crew ratio, spa amenities and services await on board — along with adventures like small-group wildlife viewing, biking, kayaking and paddle-boarding offshore. What’s more, the Ocean Explorer features the latest satellite and navigation technology, including ULSTEIN X-BOW® technology, allowing for smoother sailing and deeper exploration into packed ice, enhancing your comfort as you traverse the world’s seas.

Intimate in scale, the Ocean Explorer will accommodate up to 170 guests with 77 cabins and a landmark 15 solo cabins. Breathtaking views abound on the ship’s soaring multilevel observation lounge and lobby. Relax by the swimming pool, catch a movie on the outdoor movie screen, or be enraptured during curated lectures, programs, musical performances and cultural events. Vantage’s on-board concierge will cater to every guest’s every need, both pre-trip and during the cruise.

In its inaugural year, the five-star Ocean Explorer will circumnavigate the globe with itineraries exploring Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Antarctica. With our convenient back-to-back options, you can put two or three cruises together for the ultimate adventure!

Don't wait! Secure your spot on the NEW Ocean Explorer with a $500 per person refundable pre-reservation and be the first to explore the globe on this groundbreaking vessel!

Here’s what else awaits:
  • Eight stateroom configurations, most of which have full walk-out balconies, for the most flexible style of travel — plus, unique TriLuxe Suites designed for comfortable triple-occupancy as well as adjoining room options
  • A culinary program offering gourmet dining incorporating regional fare
  • All beer and wine included with dinner
  • Health and wellness options including: onboard spa, swimming pool, and gymnasium
  • Expert cultural lecturers’ and curated performances
  • Knowledgeable expedition staff by region
  • Separate, intimate space for all of your group’s private dining needs (available upon request)
  • Environmentally friendly standards with reduced emissions into air and sea and lower energy consumption
  • Dynamic positioning technology
  • State of the art safety technology, Polar Code 6 compliant, and fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements in expedition cruising
  • Rolls Royce stabilizer system “Safe Return to Port” technology
  • Multiple launching platforms to allow for easy and quick loading of expedition landing craft, kayaks, standup paddleboards
  • Small passenger-to-crew ratio
  • Onboard medical doctor
  • Boutique
Kilde: Vantage Travel

Deckplan

ocean-explorer_deckplan.ashx

Illustrasjon: via Vantage Travel
 
Ser SunStone planleggger å bestille skip nr. seks og sju innen Juni i år, og restrerende åtte til ti i slutten av 2019
 
ONE MORE NEW-BUILD FOR SUNSTONE SunStone orders sixth INFINITY Class Vessel

MIAMI, Florida, April 11, 2019 – SunStone Ships announces the signing of an agreement for INFINITY Class-vessel No. 6, continuing the European designed, Chinese built concept.

SunStone President and CEO, Niels-Erik Lund, commented, “We have worked diligently in obtaining the long term charters and shipbuilding orders for the INFINITY Class vessels and we continue to move forward with the contracts and building at a very satisfactory speed, safety and quality level”.

INFINITY Class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The Vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and Zero Speed Stabilizers. The Vessels are featuring the X-Bow® by Ulstein Design & Solutions. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym and spa.

Current INFINITY Class new-builds under way include the GREG MORTIMER, scheduled to be delivered August 2019, the OCEAN VICTORY in September 2020, the OCEAN EXPLORER in February 2021, the OCEAN ODYSSEY in March 2022 and the OCEAN DISCOVERER in September 2022. The sixth vessel now ordered already has a long-term charter agreement in place, and this vessel will be delivered September 2021.

In addition to the six vessels already ordered, SunStone is in negotiations for four additional vessels where it is expected that INFINITY Vessel No. 7 will be signed within May and the remaining three options will be signed within 2019.
 
I am getting totally confused with these Sunstone ships. The press releases of Sunstone and Ulstein are often conflicting. I thought OCEAN VICTORY was the third ship, not the 2nd?
Here, Ulstein gives a different sequence for the first four ships: https://ulstein.com/news/2019/contracted-on-fourth-expedition-cruise-vessel-for-sunstone

I think Sunstone is announcing the ships in the sequence of finding a charter. So, they found a charter for the sixth ship BEFORE they found one for the fifth. So, I think the ship just announced is in fact the fifth in the series, not the sixth. I'm not going to mess around with these in my own list anymore until we know how the yard numbers, delivery dates and names are properly matched up.
 
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Yes, struggling with the same as it seems like when contract published, hull number and delivery month/year is not in sequence, plus Ulstein is "one contract behind"

Last night I tried to figure this out and below is what I believe it might be, no guarantee that it is correct except first one :)

Sunstone.jpg
 
SJETTE CRUISESKIP FOR SUNSTONE STADFESTA - YTTERLEGARE FIRE FORVENTA INNAN ÅRSSLUTT

SunStone Ships har signert ein kontrakt med CMHI på bygging av ekspedisjonscruisefartøy nummer seks i INFINITY-serien, alle designa av Ulstein. Niels-Erik Lund, president og administrerande direktør i SunStone, reknar med at dei resterande fire opsjonane vil bli signerte innan utgangen av 2019.

I selskapet sitt magasin, 'SunStone Insider', plar Lund å framheve eitt av sine favorittsitat, blant anna dette: «Ikkje sjå deg tilbake. Det er ikkje dit vi skal!»

Niels-Erik Lund lever absolutt opp til dette sitatet. SunStone Ships skil seg ut i cruiseindustrien ved at alle skipa deira vert chartra ut til ulike operatørar. Når det gjeld tonnasje, er dermed SunStone den største leverandøren av ekspedisjonscruiseskip i verda, og gjennom tilknytta selskap tilbyr dei også tekniske tenester og hotelldrift til skipa.

– Eit spesialisert mannskap er avgjerande når det gjeld å bemanne ekspedisjonscruiseskip. Vi går til svært avsidesliggande område og må kunne fikse alt som måtte oppstå. Små operatørar i denne nisja får gjennom oss tilgang til dyktige mannskap, til dømes kapteinar med iskompetanse, eller den rette tekniske kunnskapen, seier Lund. Det er også andre fordelar:

- Vi får lavare driftskostnader på fartøya og kan drive flåten meir økonomisk ved at vi oppnår stordriftsfordelar. Eit selskap som chartrar eitt av fartøya våre vil få alle fordelane ved å vere ein del av ei flåte.

Å forme framtida

SunStone sin filosofi har vore å kjøpe eksisterande fartøy, men for nokre år sidan bestemte dei seg for at nybygging ville vere den beste måten å utvide flåten. Denne tilpassinga kom som følgje av ein nedgang i tilgjengeleg tonnasje samtidig som ekspedisjonscruisemarknaden var i rask vekst. I 2017 inngjekk SunStone og CMHI ein avtale om å bygge potensielt ti skip i INFINITY-serien, basert på Ulstein sine design.

Luksusturar

INFINITY-fartøya er baserte på CX103-designet med X-BOW® frå Ulstein Design & Solutions. X-BOW® blei opphavleg utvikla for gode sjøeigenskapar ved tøffe forhold, men har også ein fordel ved at det vert meir rom i baugområda, noko som på desse skipa vert utnytta til romslege salongar med ei eineståande utsikt.

- Dei som ynskjer å leige desse skipa av oss er ivrige etter å ta del i dei fordelane som ligg i X-BOW®-designet og driftseffektiviteten i INFINITY-klassen. Så vi handlar raskt for å få dei inn i marknaden, seier Lund.

Om fartøya

Skipa er 104,4 m lange og 18,4 m breie. Dei har ein passasjerkapasitet på 130-200, og ein mannskapskapasitet på 85-115. Skipa er små nok til å gi kjensla av eksklusivitet, og store nok til å kunne tilby alle forventa tenester og fasilitetar, som svømmebasseng, bar og restaurant, boutique, kino, treningsstudio og spa. Skipet har eit rikhaldig lager av utstyr for utandørsaktivitetar, mellom anna gummibåtar (Zodiacs), syklar, kajakkar eller padlebrett.

Skipa vert bygde i samsvar med Polarklasse 6, Polar code Cat B, med dynamisk posisjoneringssystem og stillefartsstabilisatorar, og er klassa av Bureau Veritas.

Interkontinentalt samarbeid

INFINITY-prosjektet er eit globalt samarbeid, der reiarlaget og innreiingsdesignaren held til USA, interiørleverandøren og skipsdesignaren er skandinaviske, skipsbygginga vert utført i Kina og operatørane er over heile verda. Ulstein er ansvarlege for skipsdesignet og utstyrspakken.

Realiseringa av ein draum

SunStone sine planar for INFINITY-serien av ekspedisjonscruisefartøy har modna over åra, og no er altså alle i ferd med å bli ein realitet.

- Dette er ei nisje i vekst, og vi er verdsleiande i denne. Dette er realiseringa av ein draum, oppsummerer Niels-Erik Lund, og legg til:

«Muligheiter oppstår ikkje. Du lagar dei.»

Kilde: Ulstein

ULSTEIN CX103
Sunstone-6-vessels-crop.jpg

Illustrasjon: Ulstein
 
Note they made some funny little mistakes in that photoshop! One of the ships is missing part of her funnel
 
Albatros Expeditions Confirms Second Newbuild

Albatros Expeditions has confirmed plans to add a second SunStone Infinity-class class expedition cruise vessel to its fleet in 2022.

The Ocean Albatros will operate in both Antarctica and the Arctic and on cruises between these core expedition areas, the company said.

The 186-guest Ocean Albatros will join the new Ocean Victory, that will be operated by Albatros Expeditions in Antarctica from December 2020 and is chartered to Victory Cruise Lines for operations in Alaska for the summer seasons.

Albatros has also announced the appointment of Hans Lagerweij as president of international businesses.

Lagerweij has extensive experience in the expedition and small-ship cruise industry, and in the past was responsible for managing Quark Expeditions and recently Victory Cruise Lines.

Hans Lagerweij, president of international businesses, said: “Many expedition cruise companies are focusing on features such as under water lounges, helicopters or submarines for their newbuilds. At Albatros Expeditions, we have chosen vessels that are enhancing an authentic expedition experience which customers are looking for. The proven and patented X-Bow design gives our passengers a more enjoyable sailing, by improving guest comfort and safety, and even reducing seasickness. It provides very low levels of noise and vibration and gives us the ability to better maintain speed, ensuring we keep to our expedition schedules in rougher seas."

Albatros owner Soren Rasmussen added: “Next to large cabins, most with balconies, we offer a heated infinity pool, hot tubs, library, spa, gym, three restaurants and two bars. Finally, the vessels also belong to the greenest generation of cruise ships in the world. Its tier 3 compliant engines give up to 80 percent less emissions and operate on significantly lower fuel consumption. Furthermore, we will remove single use plastics, only use bio-degradable and eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products. We will only offer sustainable seafood, reduce the use of all chemicals and implement an onboard recycling program."

Kilde: Cruise Industry News

ALBATROS_NEW_high_res-min-fill-800x430.jpeg

Illustrasjon: Ulstein
 
ANOTHER NEW-BUILD FOR SUNSTONE

We have been moving along steadily with ordering and building the INFINITY Class Vessels. SunStone Ships signed an agreement Wednesday, May 29, 2019 in Hong Kong, China for the INFINITY Class Vessel No. 7, continuing with the European designed, Chinese built concept.

The seventh vessel now ordered has a long-term charter agreement in place, this vessel will be delivered in September 2021. INFINITY Class new-builds underway include the GREG MORTIMER, scheduled to be delivered August 2019, the OCEAN VICTORY in October 2020, the OCEAN EXPLORER in January 2021, the OCEAN ODYSSEY in March 2022, the OCEAN DISCOVERER in September 2022 and the OCEAN ALBATROS in October 2022.

INFINITY Class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters; they feature a capacity between 130-200 passengers and a crew capacity between 85 and 115 members. The Vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning, and Zero Speed Stabilizers. The Vessels are featuring the X-Bow® by Ulstein Design & Solutions. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere, yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities as larger cruise ships such as a swimming pool, bar, restaurants, lounge, boutique, gym, and a spa.
 
Greg Mortimer Completes Sea Trials
July 22, 2019
Greg Mortimer
The new Greg Mortimer from SunStone Ships has completed its first set of sea trials ahead of its debut for Aurora Expeditions later this year on an Oct. 31, 2019, sailing to Antarctica.
Robert Halfpenny, Managing Director of Aurora Expeditions was delighted with the results: “We have worked in very close partnership with our expedition team to design the Greg Mortimer. Our X-Bow®means faster travel, lower fuel consumption, virtually no vibrations and disruption to wildlife, which is extremely important for the remote and wild destinations we travel to.
“We have also included some very innovative features; the ship has a Tier 3-compliant engine which is the lowest pollution marine engine in the world, giving off 80% less emissions. It is built to surpass environmental protection requirements and features unprecedented safety levels. It also features sea level zodiac and activity loading platforms, plenty of dedicated observation decks and outdoor viewing areas to allow passengers to get up close to nature.
“It also has a bio-security mudroom and virtual anchoring technology; allowing the ship to hold its position using its own propellers and thrusters, so it does not disturb the delicate marine life on the sea floor."
Tests conducted included system functionality, ship equipment, overall performance and safety performance, according to a statement.

Kilde: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/21288-greg-mortimer-completessea-trials.html
 
Det aller første X-BOW-cruiseskipet er levert

‘Greg Mortimer’ vart døypt i ein kombinert dåps- og overleveringsseremoni 6. september på verftet CMHI. Dette er det første ekspedisjonscruiseskipet i SunStone sin INFINITY-serie. Skipa er designa av Ulstein Design & Solutions i samarbeid med reiarlaget og deira kunde, Aurora Expeditions.

Skipet har fått namnet sitt etter Greg Mortimer, som er grunnleggaren av Aurora Expeditions, det australske selskapet som har chartra skipet. Fartøyet er no klar for første tur til Antarktis.

- Skipsdesignkontraktane for SunStone Ships var eit gjennombrot for Ulstein i ekspedisjonscruisemarknaden, og vi er glade for at partnaren vår, China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI), har levert det første kinesiskbygde ekspedisjonscruiseskipet. Frå Ulstein si side er det lagt ned ein stor innsats for å ivareta behova for passasjerar og mannskap. Ulstein har fokusert på å utvikle eit fartøy som skal vere ein best mogleg plattform for uforgløymelege reiser for passasjerane, seier Tore Ulstein, COO Ulstein Design & Solutions og viseadministrerande direktør i Ulstein Group.

‘Greg Mortimer’ er det første av potensielt ti polare ekspedisjonscruiseskip for det amerikanske reiarlaget SunStone Ships. Alle skal byggast ved CMHI-verftet i Kina. Fartøyet er det aller første ekspedisjonscruiseskipet der Ulstein si patenterte X-BOW®-løysing er ein del av designet. X-BOW® gir ei mjukare og meir komfortabel reiseoppleving i mote sjø. Mindre motstand i bølgene reduserer drivstoffbehovet, med det resultatet at miljøavtrykket vert lågare.

Alle skipa i INFINITY-klassen vil bli tilpassa kvar enkelt operatør, slik det også er tilfelle med ‘Greg Mortimer’. Aurora sine teamekspertar har vore tett involverte i skipsprosjektet for å sikre eit best mogleg ekspedisjonsskip for deira formål og reiseruter.

Det 104 meter lange skipet er bygd i samsvar med Polar Class 6-standardar for ekspedisjonar i kalde farvatn. Der er 80 passasjerlugarar med private bad og balkongar.

Andre fasilitetar inkluderer ein restaurant og bar, eit forelesingsrom, ein salong, eit 180-graders innandørs observasjonsdekk og utvendige utsiktsområde.

Etter ein lang dags utflukt på isen kan passasjerane velje å trekke seg tilbake til skipet sitt treningsrom, sauna og spa eller eitt av dei to boblebada.

Verdt å nemne er også ein spesialdesigna plattform for kajakkpadlarar og dykkarar, ein dedikert lasteplattform for gummibåtar på havnivå, og eit omkledingsrom/garderobe for utflukter. Sideportar mogleggjer lasting og lossing av fire gummibåtar på same tid.

Kilde samt fleire bilder på sidene til Ulstein Group

"Greg Mortimer"
Greg-Mortimer-expedition-cruise-vessel_photo-Ulstein.jpg

Foto: via Ulstein Group
 
SUNSTONE SHIPS TAKES DELIVERY OF THE FIRST INFINITY-CLASS VESSEL GREG MORTIMER WAS NAMED AND DELIVERED ON 6 SEPTEMBER 2019

Miami, Florida, September 10, 2019 - SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, announced the successful delivery of their first next-generation, INFINITY-class vessel - delivery was 24 days ahead of schedule.

With a goal of marrying European design and quality with Chinese ship-building efficiency, the INFINITY-class delivers cutting-edge design, innovations like X-bow technology, and significant operating efficiencies.

SunStone President and CEO, Niels-Erik Lund, commented, “We are very pleased with the quality and high building standards of China Merchants Heavy Industry, which are fully at the level of European Shipyards. A quality this high will not go unnoticed in the Cruise industry. We are looking forward to continuing our relationships with all our partners in the Infinity-class project and we are moving fast forward as planned at very satisfactory speed, safety and quality level”.

The vessel will be chartered out to Aurora Expeditions, a world leader in expedition cruising and has been named after Aurora Expeditions’ adventurous co-founder.

The vessel has departed China Merchants Heavy Industry, Haimen, and is on its way to Singapore for a one day stop for further supplies, then a two day stop in Cape Town to get the remaining hotel crew and supplies onboard, and from there to Ushuaia where cruising will begin in late October as planned.

INFINITY Class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The Vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and Zero Speed Stabilizers. The Vessels are featuring the X-Bow® by Ulstein Design & Solutions. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym and spa.

Current INFINITY Class new-builds under way after the delivery of GREG MORTIMER are; the OCEAN VICTORY with delivery October 2020, the OCEAN EXPLORER with delivery January 2021, the Infinity-class vessel no. 7 (TBN) with delivery September 2021, the OCEAN ODYSSEY with delivery March 2022, the OCEAN DISCOVERER with delivery September 2022 and the OCEAN ALBATROS with delivery October 2022. All vessels ordered have long-term charter agreements in place.

In addition to the seven vessels already ordered, SunStone has options to build another three Infinity-class vessels.
 
SUNSTONE SHIPS ANNOUNCED KEEL LAYING CEREMONY ON THE THIRD INFINITY-CLASS VESSEL OCEAN VICTORY HAD THE KEEL LAYING CEREMONY ON 6 SEPTEMBER 2019

Miami, Florida, September 16, 2019 - SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, announced the successful Keel Laying Ceremony of their third next-generation, INFINITY-class vessel (CMHI 196-3).

With a goal of marrying European design and quality with Chinese ship-building efficiency, the INFINITY-class delivers cutting-edge design, innovations like X-bow technology, and significant operating efficiencies.

SunStone President and CEO, Niels-Erik Lund, commented, “We are very pleased with the quality and high building standards of China Merchants Heavy Industry, which are fully at the level of European Shipyards. We are looking forward to continuing our relationships with all our partners in the Infinity-class project and we are moving fast forward as planned at very satisfactory speed, safety and quality level”.

The keel laying of the OCEAN VICTORY (CMHI 196-3) took place as per the schedule at China Merchant Heavy Industries in Haimen, China.

Representatives from the Owner, the Charterers - American Queen Steamboat Company and Albatros Expeditions - participated in the Ceremony. The OCEAN VICTORY is scheduled to be launched in April 2020 and to be delivered in October 2020. The Vessel will commence Antarctica Cruises from December 22nd, 2020 for Albatros Expeditions and for the summer season American Queen Steamboat Company will operate the vessel on Alaska Cruises.

INFINITY Class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The Vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and Zero Speed Stabilizers. The Vessels are featuring the X-Bow® by Ulstein Design & Solutions. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym and spa.

Current INFINITY Class new-builds under way after the delivery of GREG MORTIMER are; the OCEAN VICTORY with delivery October 2020, the OCEAN EXPLORER with delivery January 2021, the Infinity-class vessel no. 7 (TBN) with delivery September 2021, the OCEAN ODYSSEY with delivery March 2022, the OCEAN DISCOVERER with delivery September 2022 and the OCEAN ALBATROS with delivery October 2022. All vessels ordered have long-term charter agreements in place.

In addition to the seven vessels already ordered, SunStone has options to build another three Infinity-class vessels.

img-4856_orig.jpg

Foto: via Sunstone
 
SUNSTONE SHIPS ANNOUNCED STEEL CUTTING CEREMONY ON THE FOURTH INFINITY-CLASS VESSEL OCEAN EXPLORER HAD THE FIRST PLATE OF STEEL CUT ON 6 SEPTEMBER 2019

Miami, Florida, September 16, 2019 - SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, announced the successful Steel Cutting Ceremony of their fourth next-generation, INFINITY-class vessel (CMHI 196-4).

With a goal of marrying European design and quality with Chinese ship-building efficiency, the INFINITY-class delivers cutting-edge design, innovations like X-bow technology, and significant operating efficiencies.

SunStone President and CEO, Niels-Erik Lund, commented, “We are very pleased with the quality and high building standards of China Merchants Heavy Industry, which are fully at the level of European Shipyards. We are looking forward to continuing our relationships with all our partners in the Infinity-class project and we are moving fast forward as planned at very satisfactory speed, safety and quality level”.

The Steel Cutting Ceremony of the OCEAN EXPLORER (CMHI 196-4) took place at China Merchant Heavy Industries in Haimen, China. The event included several hundred invited guests. The Keel Laying is scheduled for April 2020. This vessel will be delivered in January 2021 and will begin Cruises in March 2021. The vessel is chartered to Vantage Travel on a year-round long-term charter.

INFINITY Class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The Vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and Zero Speed Stabilizers. The Vessels are featuring the X-Bow® by Ulstein Design & Solutions. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym and spa.

Current INFINITY Class new-builds under way after the delivery of GREG MORTIMER are; the OCEAN VICTORY with delivery October 2020, the OCEAN EXPLORER with delivery January 2021, the Infinity-class vessel no. 7 (TBN) with delivery September 2021, the OCEAN ODYSSEY with delivery March 2022, the OCEAN DISCOVERER with delivery September 2022 and the OCEAN ALBATROS with delivery October 2022. All vessels ordered have long-term charter agreements in place.

In addition to the seven vessels already ordered, SunStone has options to build another three Infinity-class vessels.

img-4868_orig.jpg

Foto: via Sunstone
 
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