Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc., the US based expedition cruise specialist, said it has signed an agreement with Norwegian shipbuilder and ship designer Ulstein in Norway to build a polar vessel. “The new ship is scheduled for delivery from Ulstein Verft in Q3 2021. The vessel is sister ship to National Geographic Endurance, which is under construction,” Lindblad said in a statement.

The order will expand the line’s National Geographic polar fleet to four ships. National Geographic Quest was introduced in July 2017, National Geographic Venture followed in December 2018 and the scheduled delivery of National Geographic Endurance in Q1 2020.

“Sister ship to National Geographic Endurance, the polar vessel will be fully stabilized with the highest ice class (PC5 Category A) of any purpose-built passenger vessel, and will feature Ulstein’s signature X-BOW®, a unique design that affords the smoothest, most comfortable ride imaginable, in all sea behavior, which results in greater fuel efficiency and fewer emissions, for reduced environmental impact,” Lindblad said.