Oceanwide Expeditions, a long-established operator in polar cruising, has completed two major technical projects aboard m/v Ortelius aimed at improving propulsion efficiency and operational performance. The work, part of the company’s continued investment in its fleet and broader environmental sustainability objectives, focused on propeller replacement and hull maintenance.
During a scheduled drydocking in September 2025, four new bronze propeller blades were manufactured and installed by Dutch Propeller Repairs BV, replacing stainless-steel blades that had been in service for several decades. The new components are designed to enhance propulsion efficiency, and early operational data from a subsequent voyage to Puerto Madryn, Argentina, indicated improved and more consistent vessel speeds.
This upgrade followed an earlier project completed in May 2025, in which the vessel’s hull underwent blasting to remove accumulated paint and restore a smoother surface. The procedure reduced hull resistance and improved fuel efficiency, contributing to lower emissions and supporting Oceanwide Expeditions’ environmental goals.
According to the company’s technical department, the completion of these works ensures Ortelius is optimally prepared for operations in challenging polar conditions. The upgrades reinforce the vessel’s capacity for efficient navigation in ice-laden waters while maintaining the comfort and reliability required for expedition cruising.
Constructed originally as a research vessel, Ortelius remains a key asset within Oceanwide’s fleet, accommodating up to 108 passengers on itineraries across some of the most remote regions of the Antarctic and Arctic. The vessel, capable of carrying helicopters and providing extensive observation areas, continues to serve as a versatile platform for exploration.
Both maintenance and upgrade projects were carried out at Shipyard Reimerswaal in the Netherlands, a long-term service partner of Oceanwide Expeditions, which regularly oversees docking, refit, and supply operations for the company’s fleet.