SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, announced the successful keel laying ceremony of its third next-generation, Infinity-class vessel (CMHI 196-3).
With a goal of marrying European design and quality with Chinese ship-building efficiency, the Infinity-class delivers cutting-edge design, innovations like X-bow technology, and significant operating efficiencies.
SunStone President and CEO, 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 are moving fast forward as planned at very satisfactory speed, safety and quality level."
The keel laying of the Ocean Victory (CMHI 196-3) took place as per the schedule at China Merchant Heavy Industries in Haimen, China. Representatives from the Owner, the Charterers - American Queen Steamboat Company and Albatros Expeditions - participated in the Ceremony. The Ocean Victory is scheduled to be launched in April 2020 and to be delivered in October 2020. The Vessel will commence Antarctica Cruises from December 22nd, 2020 for Albatros Expeditions and for the summer season American Queen Steamboat Company will operate the vessel on Alaska cruises.
Infinity-class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The Vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and Zero Speed Stabilizers. The Vessels are featuring the X-Bow® by Ulstein Design & Solutions. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym and spa.
Current Infinity-class newbuilds under way after the delivery of Greg Mortimer are; the Ocean Victory with delivery October 2020, the Ocean Explorer with delivery January 2021, the Infinity-class vessel no. 7 (TBN) with delivery September 2021, the Ocean Odyssey with delivery March 2022, the Ocean Discoverer with delivery September 2022 and the Ocean Albatros with delivery October 2022. All vessels ordered have long-term charter agreements in place.
In addition to the seven vessels already ordered, SunStone has options to build another three Infinity-class vessels.
