Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

SunStone contracts third China newbuild, Ocean Victory

edab3114cc3049900d6d18bd5547a77e
Facilities for Zodiac excursions and space for 20 Zodiacs
SunStone Ships firmed an agreement with China Merchants Industry Holdings Co. Ltd. to build a third Infinity-class expedition ship, to be named Ocean Victory.

This newbuild will be delivered by China Merchant Heavy Industries in March 2021, and SunStone has signed a long-term charter contract for the ship with an undisclosed party.

X-Bow design, Polar Code 6

The vessel has Ulstein's patented X-Bow design, zero-speed stabilizers and dynamic positioning, and will be buillt to Polar Code 6 (Ice Class 1A).

The order follows one firmed in April and an earlier deal for a ship to be called Greg Mortimer, chartered to Australia's Aurora Expeditions.

'We are pleased with the rapid adoption of the Infinity-class vessels. It seems our European design and technology, combined with lower overall operating costs, ticks all the boxes for the small and expedition ship market,' SunStone president and CEO Niels-Erik Lund said.

Miami-based Cruise Management International will handle Ocean Victory's technical management, while sister company CMI Leisure will provide hotel operations.

The shipbuilding contract was signed at the offices of Stephenson Harwood, SunStone’s legal advisers for the Infinity-class ships. The three-day meeting in Paris included 20 representatives from CMI, China Merchants Heavy Industry, SunStone, SunStone Marine Advisors, Ulstein Design and Solution (designer and provider of the technical equipment package and supervisor of the technical construction), Mäkinen (responsible for the interior spaces) and Tillberg Design USA (interior design).

200-passenger capacity, multiple restaurants and lounges

The 104.4-meter Ocean Victory will have capacity for 200 passengers in 93 suites, 68 with balconies, nine with French balconies and 16 with panoramic windows.

Public rooms include a trio of restaurants and an open deck dining facility, an observation lounge, a lounge for lectures, piano bar, gym and spa facilities, library, shops, changing facilities for Zodiac excursions, 20 Zodiacs, swimming pool, Jacuzzis and a pool bar.