SunStone Ships has declared option number two at CMHI shipyard after signing a long-term charter contract with Victory Cruise Line for the vessel, with a total of three newbuilds now under construction at the Chinese yard.
The newbuild will be named Ocean Victory and delivered in March 2021.
SunStone Ships originally placed one firm contract and nine options for its Infinity-class series expedition vessels in 2017.
With the declaration of the next option, the CMHI (China Merchants Heavy Industry) yard in China will construct three expedition cruise vessels based on Norwegian company’s Ulstein Design & Solutions’ design. Ulstein’s contract is with the yard.
Ulstein is also responsible for delivering the equipment package, with all main equipment being of proven technology from well-known manufacturers in Europe, as well as supervising the technical construction of the vessel. Tillberg Design USA is responsible for the interior design, and Makinen for constructing the interior spaces.
SunStone president and chief executive Niels-Erik Lund commented “We are pleased with the rapid adoption of the Infinity-class vessels. It seems our European design and technology, combined with lower overall operating costs ticks all the boxes for the small and expedition-ship market.”
“We are pleased with the work laid down by SunStone Ships in finding charterers for these vessels, and firmly believe that they will realise all 10 vessels in the series”, said Ulstein Group deputy chief operating officer Tore Ulstein. “We have a very good co-operation with the involved parties and look forward to a continuous and fruitful collaboration on the next vessel.”
The first Infinity-class ship, named Greg Mortimer, is scheduled for delivery August 2019 and goes on charter to Aurora Cruises, Australia.
The Infinity-class expedition cruise ships measure 104.3 m in length and 18.4 m in the beam. Ocean Victory will have accommodation for 100 crew members and 200 passengers. The hull will be built according to Polar class 6, Polar code Cat B, with dynamic positioning system and zero-speed stabilisers.
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