The largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, SunStone Ships, announced the successful Steel Cutting Ceremony of their 4th next-generation, Infinity-class ship (CMHI 196-4).
Aiming to combine Chinese ship-building efficiency with European design and quality, the Infinity-class delivers innovations like the trademarked X-bow hull design.
The official steel cutting ceremony of Ocean Explorer took place at China Merchant Heavy Industries (Haimen, China). The event included several hundred guests. Explorer's keel laying is scheduled for April 2020. The vessel is due to be delivered in January 2021 and will start sailing in March 2021.
Ocean Explorer will be time-chartered by Vantage Travel Service Inc (via company's brand "Vantage Cruise Line") on a year-round long-term charter.