SunStone Ships takes delivery of the second infinity-class vessel

July 21 2021 Print This Article

SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, announced the successful delivery of their second next-generation, INFINITY-class vessel.

With a goal of marrying European design and quality with Chinese ship-building efficiency, the INFINITYclass delivers cutting-edge design, innovations like X-bow technology, and significant operating efficiencies.

SunStone CEO, Niels-Erik Lund, commented, “We are very pleased with the quality and high building standards of China Merchants Heavy Industry, which are fully at the level of European Shipyards. We are looking forward to continuing our relationships with all our partners in the Infinity-class project and we, even considering the COVID-19 world crisis, are moving fast forward as planned at very satisfactory speed, safety and quality level.”

The Vessel will do Worldwide year-round expedition cruises for Vantage Travel

The vessel will depart China Merchants Heavy Industry, Haimen, shortly after delivery and be on its way to Manilla to pick up crew, then a short stop in Malta to get the remaining hotel crew and supplies onboard, and from there to Poole in the UK where cruising will begin in late August.

INFINITY Class Vessels are 104 meterslong, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The Vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and Zero Speed Stabilizers. The Vessels are featuring the X-Bow® by Ulstein Design & Solutions. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym and spa.

Current INFINITY Class new-builds under way after the delivery of GREG MORTIMER and OCEAN EXPLORER are; the OCEAN VICTORY the SYLVIA EARLE with delivery in 2021, the OCEAN ODYSSEY and OCEAN ALBATROS with delivery in 2022 and the OCEAN DISCOVERER with delivery in 2023. All vessels ordered have long-term charter agreements in place.