Ulstein Verft, which is part of the Norwegian privately owned Ulstein Group, said it has won an order to carry out an extensive two month upgrade of an expedition cruise vessel owned by Adventurers Partners Ltd.
This means that the yard has taken the first successful step to enter the expedition cruise vessel market. It has also produced a portfolio of expedition cruise vessel concept designs of its own.
Information on the Internet says the Bahamas based Adventurers Partner owns the 1976 built Sea Adventuer. Meanwhile, Quark Expeditions that operates the vessel said on its website: “The nimble, ice-strengthened Sea Adventurer is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation."This would include renovations to the interior of the ship including outside cabins with ensuites, spacious forward lounge and bar, and other amenities, the addition of new passenger cabins and new bathrooms in every cabin. In addition, there would be upgrades to the main lounge and main dining room, gym, and select suites
“Significant technical enhancements – including two new engines, generators, gear boxes, drive systems, and re-bladed propellers,” Quark said, adding that this would result in increased fuel efficiency, and a minimized carbon footprint.
Sea Adventurer was built in Yugoslavia in 1976, refurbished in 1999 and had further upgrades in 2002. The ice-strengthened ship, which carries up to 117 passengers and features a spacious forward lounge and bar, window-lined dining room and promenades, it added
"This is an important contract for us within a new segment," says Ulstein Verft's managing director Kristian Sætre in a statement. The work in the yard’s engineering and design department has already started. The ship will most likely come to Ulstein Verft early April 2017 and the job is to be completed by mid-June 2017. "The ship owner wanted a quality partner, and even if it’s a demanding project with short delivery time, we will deliver on-time with quality as always," said Sætre.
