SunStone Ships has declared option number two for another Infinity class expedition cruise ship at Ulstein, bringing the total on order up to three.
The company originally placed one firm contract and nine options on the Ulstein designed and equipped cruise vessel in 2017.
With the declaration of this option, the China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) yard in China will be constructing three expedition cruise vessels based on the Ulstein design.
SunStone Ships has signed a long term charter contract with Victory Cruise Lines for the latest vessel, which will be named ‘Ocean Victory’. She will be delivered in March, 2021.
SunStone’s President & CEO, Niels-Erik Lund, commented, “We are pleased with the rapid adoption of the Infinity-class vessels. It seems our European design & technology, combined with lower overall operating costs ticks all the boxes for the small and expedition ship market.”
“We are pleased with the work laid down by SunStone Ships in finding charterers for these vessels, and firmly believe that they will realise all 10 vessels in the series,” said Tore Ulstein, deputy CEO, Ulstein Group and COO Design & Solutions. “We have a very good co-operation with the involved parties, and look forward to a continuous and fruitful collaboration on the next vessel.”
Ulstein Design & Solutions designed the series, while Ulstein is also responsible for the delivery of the equipment package, with all main equipment provided by well-known European manufacturers, as well as supervising the technical construction of the vessel. Tillberg Design USA is responsible for the interior design, and Makinen for the construction of all interior spaces.
The first in the series, named ‘Greg Mortimer’, is scheduled for delivery in August, 2019 and will go on charter to Aurora Cruises, Australia.
They measure 104.3 m in length and 18.4 m in the beam.
The ‘Ocean Victory’ will have accommodation for 100 crew members and 200 passengers. The hull will be built according to Polar class 6, Polar code Cat B, with dynamic positioning system and zero-speed stabilisers fitted.
