Pandaw Expeditions, the Singapore-Scottish river cruise company, said it would introduce its third ship in Laos, on the Mekong River in September 2019.

“The double decked vessel to be named RV Sabei Pandaw is designed to meet the navigational challenges of shooting the rapids in the Laos gorges with its shallow draft and powerful engines to ensure year-round passage,” the company said in a newsletter.

The ship will have just 12 staterooms; eight on the main deck and four on the upper deck as well as an open plan saloon with flexible indoor or outdoor dining. “The Sabei will be handcrafted to our usual level of excellence in teak and brass and provide all the comforts of the personalised service our guests expect,” the company said.

Pandaw's headquarters are in Singapore and the company is legally domiciled in Scotland.