Florida-based expedition cruise ship owner SunStone Ships has laid the keel of the Ocean Albatros, the sixth out of seven next-generation Infinity-class vessels.
The keel-laying ceremony for the 104-metre expedition cruise vessel took place at China Merchant Heavy Industries (CMHI) in Haimen while the delivery is expected in March 2023.
As disclosed, the Ocean Albatros will be on a year-round charter to the Danish travel company Albatros Expeditions, who is also the charterer of SunStone’s Ocean Victory and Ocean Atlantic.
The Infinity-class vessels are 18 metres wide and have a draft of 5.1 metres with a passenger capacity between 130 and 200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115.
The vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and feature mechanisms for safe return to port, dynamic positioning and zero speed stabilizers as well as Ulstein’s X-Bow concept.
“We are very pleased that even with the very difficult situation with the COVID Pandemic, our Infinity new building series is moving forward at a satisfactory pace. Having three Infinity vessels in operation, taking delivery of the next two Infinity vessels in spring of 2022, and now the keel laying of the sixth vessel, is a very satisfactory accomplishment” , said SunStone’s chairman, Niels-Erik Lund .
The Infinity-class vessels that had been delivered and are in operation include the Greg Mortimer, the Ocean Explorer and the Ocean Victory . SunStone expects to take delivery of the Sylvia Earle in March 2022 and the Ocean Odyssey in April 2022. All vessels ordered have long-term charter agreements in place.
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