Two Infinity-class vessels from SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, completed successful sea trials in the South China Sea
Ocean Victory and Ocean Explorer, both built by China Merchants Heavy Industry shipyard, began sea trials on 22 January 2021 which consisted of five days of intense testing of each vessel’s systems in the South China Sea.
Over 150 people were on board each vessel during the trials from the shipyard, including classification society Bureau Veritas, crew managers CMI and SunStone Marine Advisors. Both vessels completed successful sea trials just prior to the Chinese New Year.
SunStone said the Infinity-class vessels aim to marry European vessel design and quality with Chinese shipbuilding efficiency.
SunStone chief executive 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, even considering the continued Covid-19 world crisis, are moving fast forward as planned at a very satisfactory speed, safety and quality level.”
Both Inifinity-class ships are 104 m long, 18 m wide, have a draft of 5.1 m and feature Ulstein’s patented X-Bow technology. They can carry 130 to 200 passengers, 85 to 115 crew and will feature a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, a boutique, gym and spa. The vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with ‘safe return to port’, dynamic positioning and zero-speed stabilisers.
Ocean Explorer and Ocean Victory will be delivered in 2021.
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