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.’
Representatives from the owner, charterers - American Queen Steamboat Company and Albatros Expeditions - participated in the Ocean Victory keel laying event.
Antarctica in winter, Alaska in summer
The 104mtr long ship is due to be launched in April 2020 and to be delivered in October 2020 and commence Antarctica cruises from December 22, 2020 for Albatros Expeditions and for the summer season American Queen Steamboat Company will operate the vessel in Alaska.
The Infinity-class ships 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 Ulstein’s patented X-Bow design.
One delivered, six to go
The first Infinity-class ship, Greg Mortimer, was delivered earlier this month with Ocean Victory coming in next October. Ocean Explorer follows in January 2021 with a seventh vessel (to be named) delivering in September 2021. Ocean Odyssey is due for delivery in March 2022, Ocean Discoverer in September 2022 and Ocean Albatros in 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.
