Wärtsilä’s ship design team is developing a customised luxury expedition cruise vessel capable of carrying 200 pax.
Up to six vessels will be owned and operated by Amundsen Expeditions, marketed primarily at the growing Chinese market.
Wärtsilä signed the design order in the third quarter of 2019.
“The ships are designed to operate efficiently in both tropical and Polar waters. Because of the harsh environment and often remote location of the cruise destinations, special attention has been given to ensuring the ships’ operational reliability,” said Markku Miinala, General Manager, Ship Design Sales, Wärtsilä Marine.
Wärtsilä’s team worked in close co-operation with Amundsen Expeditions to develop a concept that met the owner’s precise specifications and requirements, the company said.
The design comes with a complete Wärtsilä solutions package, including Wärtsilä 32 engines, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems for the abatement of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, electric propulsion, a Wärtsilä Nacos Platinum bridge system for navigation and communications, as well as Wärtsilä automation solutions.
This supply package will probably also be supported by a 10-year maintenance agreement, which will ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the vessels, while providing cost assurances for budgeting purposes, the company explained.
“The design emphasises Wärtsilä’s strength as a complete solutions provider. Our one-stop-shop capability, which allows the ship design to be combined with a complete package of on board solutions, enables a truly integrated design. This results in the various on board systems working seamlessly in harmony to provide the optimal level of reliability and efficiency, while keeping cost and time considerations under control,” Maikel Arts, General Manager, Cruise Business, Wärtsilä Marine, explained.
“We have great respect for Wärtsilä’s experience and broad portfolio of high quality solutions. This is important to us as these cruise ships are highly complex and require advanced design expertise. The cruise ships will feature all outside guest cabins, presidential suites, winter gardens and the latest environmental equipment. We appreciate Wärtsilä’s ongoing support in this project,” added Capt Rajko Zupan of Amundsen Expeditions, who has been actively involved in the ship’s design since the project’s inception.
Wärtsilä claimed it was a leading supplier to the cruise industry, as with a network of dedicated experts available worldwide, the company can support its cruise customers wherever they operate.
