By
Alex Smith |
Swan Hellenic has ordered a third Vega-class expedition cruise ship to be built at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland.
The new vessel will be larger than her sister ships, accommodating 192 guests in 96 cabins and suites. She will be a Polar Class 6 vessel, able to operate in medium first-year ice during the summer and autumn.
The third Vega-class ship will also feature a 4.6-megawatt diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with a 3-megawatt battery package, allowing her to sail completely under battery power for brief periods.
"The new order is significant for Helsinki Shipyard,” said Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch, CEO of the yard. “It shows our customers' confidence in our operations and is a strong signal of the long-term nature of our operations.”
Procurement of equipment for the ship has begun, with construction following a fast-track schedule. The ship is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2022. She will follow her two sister ships, SH Minerva and Vega 2, which will be delivered in November 2021 and April 2022 respectively. A keel-laying ceremony was held for SH Minerva in September.
“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,” said Andrea Zito, CEO of Swan Hellenic.