6 9 sense for the company. It also makes a lot of sense for us, because we now have the power of the Anglo-Eastern name behind us, as well as the extensive infrastructure of academies and offices it has around the world. I think it’s a very positive development for both partners, and one that will increase the quality of ship management that we have today.” SunStone has also been moving forward with its plans for a new class of ships, the Boundless series. “We have a full specification for the ship, so we now know exactly what we’re looking to have built,” says Lund. “We’ve been talking with a number of shipyards, and we’re hoping to make a decision on construction very soon. It would be a very significant contract, with options for up to 10 vessels.” The design of the ships will feature elements of the Infinity class, along with new onboard amenities. “We’ve taken the very best parts of the Infinity class, including technical aspects such as dynamic positioning, zero-speed stabilisers, Safe Return to Port and an ice-strengthened hull designed to Polar Code 6 standards,” says Lund. “To that strong foundation, we’ve added some important features. These include a large marina area which can store equipment including Zodiacs, jet skis, windsurfs, and even a water plane for much quicker deployment and embarkation. “Another major addition is a large pool deck in the centre of the ship with a retractable glass dome. In polar waters, we deploy the glass cover to allow guests to enjoy a heated pool, while in the summertime we can offer a large open space.” The added outdoor space offered by the pool deck is indicative of a change of design philosophy for the new vessels, which will also feature balconies in all its suites. “In general, the ships will offer more outdoor space than the Infinity series did,” explains Lund. “That’s because while the Infinity series was very much designed for polar exploration, the Boundless series will be equally focused on sailing in warm and cold waters. The ships will be scaled up in both size and functionality.” As the shipowner continues to bounce back, Lund is clear that its strategy will remain squarely focused on expanding its presence in the expedition sector. “We see growth across nationalities and demographics, expanding outside of the traditional American market, as people from all over the world want to go on an expedition,” he says. “We expect to see that expansion continue, and as an expert in the sector, we will continue to do what we do best to meet that demand.” CFR The new Boundless series of ships has been designed for both warm- and cold-water sailing
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