SunStone Ships oversaw the steel cutting of Ocean Explorer, the fourth Infinity-class vessel in the class, at China Merchants Heavy Industry yard in Haimen.
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, said a press release form the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market.
SunStone President and CEO, Niels-Erik Lund, said: “We are very pleased with the quality and 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 Steel Cutting Ceremony of the Ocean Explorer included several hundred invited guests. The Keel Laying is scheduled for April 2020.
This vessel will be delivered in January 2021 and will begin Cruises in March 2021. The vessel is chartered to Vantage Travel on a year-round long-term charter.
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.
In addition to the seven vessels already ordered, SunStone has options to build another three Infinity-class vessels.
