Chilean shipbuilder ASENAV has sent the new expedition cruise ship Magellan Discoverer from its shipyard in Corral (near Valdivia) for final sea trials ahead of delivery and entry into service on December 15th, 2026. The 5,258-GT vessel took ~33 months to build, involving 500+ employees, contractors and suppliers. Designed and constructed for expedition operator Antarctica21, it is described as the first hybrid-electric expedition cruise ship built in the Americas.
The 94-metre vessel was developed for long-range polar voyages, with a focus on energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Its hybrid-electric propulsion system uses ABB’s Onboard DC Grid platform to integrate generator power with a Corvus Energy battery storage system. Two MAN main engines and generator sets provide a combined 4,800 ekW to power two ABB Azipod propulsion units, supporting a service speed of 14 knots in open water. The hybrid configuration is also designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and underwater noise, while enabling operations for up to 60 days without refuelling.
Additional efficiency measures include a heat recovery system that reuses exhaust-gas heat for water heating and elevator technology that converts braking energy into electricity to recharge the batteries. A Vessel Performance Management System uses approximately 100 sensors to monitor energy consumption, generator performance and navigation speed.
Magellan Discoverer can accommodate up to 96 passengers, although capacity is limited to 88 for Antarctica21’s Antarctic fly-cruise operations. The ship will carry 67 crew and staff members. Its reinforced hull and robust bow are designed to break through ice up to 80 centimetres thick. The vessel has received a Polar Class PC6 rating and IMO Tier III certification.
Onboard facilities include a large lounge and dining room, an observation deck, a library and a dedicated expedition preparation area. The design combines a boutique, yacht-style atmosphere with capabilities for operating in demanding polar conditions.
ASENAV General Manager Fernando Rodríguez said the project represented a significant advance in sustainable marine engineering and reinforced the shipyard’s position in Chile’s maritime industry. Antarctica21 President Jaime Vásquez also highlighted the combination of advanced engineering and a more responsible approach to tourism in remote environments.
The order was placed in 2023, following ASENAV’s earlier construction of Magellan Explorer, delivered to Antarctica21 in 2019. The new vessel reportedly cost ~US$90 million to build. Steel cutting began in February 2024, and the hull was launched in October 2025. Earlier in 2026, the ship was moved along the Calle Calle River from the shipyard in Valdivia to Corral in preparation for sea trials.
Departing on October 26th, Magellan Discoverer is undergoing assessments of its operational performance, manoeuvrability and onboard systems. It is scheduled to sail to Punta Arenas before entering service. During its first months, the vessel will operate in Antarctica under Antarctica21’s fly-cruise programme, with passengers flying to King George Island to join the ship and avoid the Drake Passage crossing.
Antarctica21 expects the ship’s design to improve operational flexibility and efficiency while limiting its impact on wildlife and the surrounding environment.