Swan Hellenic goes larger with third newbuild at Helsinki Shipyard

This Vega-class ship will measure 12,000gt, slightly larger than the first two 10,500gt vessels, with a length of 125 meters/410 feet, up from 115 meters/377 feet. It will carry 192 passengers in 96 cabins and suites, most with large balconies, compared to the 152-passenger occupancy of the first two ships. The crew number of 140 is up from 120.

The five-star vessel will be built to Polar Class 6 standard.

Late 2022 delivery

Delivery is planned for late 2022. The price was not announced. According to the Seatrade Cruise Orderbook, the first two vessels cost $100m each.

Battery package

Vega 3 will have a 4.6-megawatt diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction and 3-megawatt maximum battery package. This will enable the ship to operate with minimal disturbance to sensitive ecosystems and wildlife.

The procurement of the main equipment has already begun, with all three Vega ships being built on a fast-track schedule.

Recently the keel-laying ceremony for Vega 1 — to be named SH Minerva — took place on schedule in September despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic.

SH Minerva is on track for delivery in November 2021 with Vega 2 to come in April 2022.

Signals confidence

'The new order is significant for Helsinki Shipyard,' CEO Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch said, 'as it shows our customers' confidence in our operations and is a strong signal of the long-term nature of our operations.'

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito added: 'We see the increase in demand for experiences that are truly out of the ordinary and are confident in the bounce back of our industry.'