China Merchants floats out 7th SunStone ship, Douglas Mawson

China Merchants Heavy Industry in Haimen floated out expedition cruise ship Douglas Mawson, seventh in the SunStone Maritime Group's Infinity class.

Douglas Mawson, set for delivery next year, will go on long-term charter to Australia's Aurora Expeditions.

X-BOW design by Ulstein

This completes the Infinity series of Class 1A/Polar Code 6 vessels with their distinctive X-BOW by Ulstein Design and capacity for up to 170 passengers and 102 crew.

Facilities include lounges, restaurants, a bar, library, gym, spa and swimming pool.

Antarctica debut

Douglas Mawson is scheduled to enter service for Aurora Expeditions in late 2025 in Antarctica. Aurora also charters the sister ships Sylvia Earle and Greg Mortimer.

Douglas Mawson follows Ocean Albatros (2023), Ocean Odyssey and Sylvia Earle (2022), Ocean Victory and Ocean Explorer (2021) and Greg Mortimer (2019).