By
Alex Smith |
Helsinki Shipyard has held a keel laying ceremony for Vega, the second of three expedition cruise ships it is building for Swan Hellenic at its yard in Helsinki, Finland.
The keel was laid immediately following the delivery of the outfitted and painted block 302. Helsinki Shipyard’s project manager Jonas Packalén and chairman Victor Olersky were joined by Lloyd’s Register representative Jukka Hujanen to carry out the traditional placement of coins.
Vega is named after the first vessel to navigate the Arctic Northeast Passage. She will accommodate 152 guests in 76 staterooms and suites, as well as a crew of 120 people. The vessel will feature a five-megawatt diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction and a three-megawatt battery package. Her hull has been designed to meet Polar Class 5 regulations to allow for year-round operation in medium first-year ice.
“Newbuilds Minerva and Vega are designed for extreme weather conditions, from the heavy ice of the polar regions to the heat and humidity of the tropics,” said Packalén. “They’re naturally designed to respect the sensitive ecosystems of the unspoilt regions they explore.”
Minerva, the first ship in the series, will be delivered in November 2021, while Vega is due in early 2022. The third, currently unnamed vessel is scheduled for delivery towards the end of 2022.
“Delivering to such a demanding schedule while maintaining the highest quality standards is a fantastic achievement,” said Andrea Zito, Swan Hellenic’s CEO. “We’re honoured and thrilled to take Swan Hellenic into its next chapter with such fine ships.”