Swan Hellenic takes delivery of hybrid diesel-electric expedition ship

British cruise line Swan Hellenic has welcomed into the fleet its third and largest vessel, SH Diana.

The hybrid diesel-electric expedition ship has a polar Class 6 ice-strengthened hull and it has been constructed by the Finnish Helsinki Shipyard.

The vessel delivery ceremony took place at the shipyard on March 31 and SH Diana is now en-route in the Baltic, on her way to the Mediterranean, where cultural expedition cruising is set to begin.

The delivery is being reported just as SH Diana returns from sea trials.

The vessel will leave for its maiden cruise, leaving Palermo in Italy for Lisbon in Portugal on 15 April. Upon completion of her inaugural cruising expedition, SH Diana is scheduled to be christened on May 4, after which it will head to cruises of the Scandinavian fjords and a full Arctic season.

“We’re delighted to have taken delivery of this exceptionally beautiful and versatile new 5-star vessel,” said Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito.

“As the largest ship in our fleet, she is the first to be outfitted with large tender boats as well as expedition zodiacs, offering guests a wide variety of extraordinary in-depth experiences seeing what others don’t.”

The Panama-flagged polar ice-class expedition ship is classed by Lloyd’s Register. The vessel features hybrid diesel-electric engines and has a capacity for 192 guests and 141 staff. At 12,100 gross tonnage, the ship spans a length of 125 metres, a beam of 23 metres, and a maximum draft of 5.45 metres.

It can achieve a maximum speed of 15.5 knots and a cruising speed of 14.5 knots. Its endurance is 8,000 nautical miles/40 days. The order for the hybrid vessel was placed in 2020.

Swan Hellenic was relaunched in July 2020, and with SH Diana the company now has three expedition cruise ships in its fleet, including SH Minerva and SH Vega.