Seventh SunStone Infinity class newbuilding launched in China

Florida-based expedition cruise ship owner SunStone Ships, part of SunStone Maritime Group, has launched the seventh and final Infinity Class series vessel—the Douglas Mawson— during a ceremony held at China Merchant’s Heavy Indstry (CMHI) in Haimen China.

Following sea trials which are projected for next year, Douglas Mawson is set to join a fleet of vessels operating on long-term charter agreements sometime during 2025. As disclosed, the 104-meter-long newbuilding will be chartered to Australia-based cruise company Aurora Expeditions, with its maiden voyage slated for the fall of that same year.

According to SunStone, the vessel—which was ordered back in 2023—is an IceClass A and Polar Class 6, which is believed to allow for “safe and efficient” operations in some of the world’s ‘most challenging environments.’

The entire series of the vessels was reportedly designed by Norway’s Ulstein Design & Solutions and was the first to reveal the patented X-BOX design in the cruise industry. All of the units in the SunStone Infinity series have Tier III engines with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to slash emissions, SunStone explained.

Moreover, it is understood that they run on low-sulfur marine gas oil (MGO), and have heat recovery systems as well as LED lights.

With a capacity of up to 170 passengers and 102 crew members, Douglas Mawson is said to feature ‘enhanced’ safety systems, energy-efficient operations and eco-friendly technologies that were engineered to lower the ships’ environmental impact.

Other features include safe return to port, dynamic positioning and zero-speed stabilizers, the company further elaborated.

To remind, the keel for the previous unit in the series, the Ocean Albatros, was laid in January 2022. SunStone took delivery of it in April 2023, after which the contract for the seventh and final unit was signed.