Douglas Mawson Expedition Ship Delivered In China: Aurora Expeditions Expands Polar Tourism Fleet

Published on September 9, 2025

The Douglas Mawson, nan last Infinity-class alloy built for SunStone Maritime Group and chartered to Aurora Expeditions, was officially delivered astatine China Merchants Heavy Industry shipyard successful Haimen connected September 9, 2025. Measuring 104.4 metres successful length, pinch precocious Polar Class 6 certification, nan vessel enhances Aurora’s capacity for expedition cruising to distant destinations, including East Antarctica. Its introduction into work is expected to fortify Australia’s domiciled arsenic a cardinal departure hub for polar tourism while completing SunStone’s first bid of Infinity-class newbuilds.

Completion of nan Infinity-Class Program

The Douglas Mawson represents nan completion of SunStone Maritime Group’s Infinity-class program, becoming nan seventh and last alloy successful nan series. Delivered astatine China Merchants Heavy Industry successful Haimen, nan vessel concludes a multi-year building inaugural that mixed Chinese shipbuilding capacity pinch world expertise successful creation and outfitting. The Infinity-class bid has been recognized for its precocious expedition technology, rider comfort, and polar readiness. With this delivery, Aurora Expeditions adds a 3rd Infinity-class vessel to its fleet, joining nan Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle, further strengthening its position successful nan small-ship expedition cruise sector.

Vessel Design and International Collaboration

The Douglas Mawson was designed by Norway’s Ulstein, renowned for its innovative X-Bow hull that enhances ratio and stableness successful polar seas. Interiors were created by Tomas Tillberg Design and outfitted by Finland’s Makinen, ensuring modern comfortableness and functionality. Built astatine China Merchants Heavy Industry, nan alloy reflects a collaboration that merges European expertise successful creation and outfitting pinch Chinese shipbuilding capabilities, resulting successful a purpose-built expedition vessel balancing rider comfortableness and polar endurance.

Technical Specifications and Polar Readiness

The vessel’s specifications underscore its readiness for polar service:

• Length: 104.40 metres
• Beam: 18.40 metres
• Draft: 5.30 metres
• Passenger Capacity: 170
• Crew Capacity: 102
• Ice Class 1A and Polar Class 6 certifications

These ratings alteration cognition successful some icy and unfastened waters, ensuring compliance pinch world information and biology standards for polar navigation.

Safety, Technology and Stability Systems

The Douglas Mawson incorporates precocious maritime technologies to guarantee safety, efficiency, and comfortableness during polar expeditions. Its Ulstein X-Bow hull creation reduces substance depletion and enhances stableness erstwhile navigating unsmooth seas, providing smoother voyages for passengers. The alloy is equipped pinch a Safe Return to Port system, offering accrued resilience successful nan arena of emergencies. Additional features specified arsenic virtual anchoring and zero-speed stabilizers amended precision successful positioning and support comfortableness erstwhile stationary. Together, these innovations support reliable operations connected extended journeys done distant and challenging environments, reinforcing nan ship’s capacity arsenic a modern expedition cruise vessel.

Passenger Amenities and Expedition Features

Beyond engineering, nan Douglas Mawson integrates amenities tailored for some leisure and exploration. Facilities include:

• Swimming pool
• Restaurants and lounges
• Bar and boutique
• Gym, spa and sauna

The vessel is besides fitted for expedition operations, pinch retention for mini trade and instrumentality supporting landings, wildlife viewing, and investigation activity emblematic of polar itineraries.

Tourism Impact: Strengthening Antarctic Access

The Douglas Mawson importantly enhances Aurora Expeditions’ capacity to meet rising request successful nan world polar tourism sector. By being deployed from Australia, nan alloy reopens nonstop entree to East Antarctica, a region acold little frequented than nan heavy visited Antarctic Peninsula. This strategical attraction positions Hobart, Tasmania arsenic a captious departure point, reinforcing its domiciled arsenic a confederate gateway to nan polar regions. The accrued activity is expected to make economical benefits for section industries, including tourism, hospitality, and larboard services, while simultaneously expanding world liking successful Antarctic voyages and diversifying Australia’s expedition recreation offerings.

Environmental Compliance and Sustainable Operations

A New Chapter successful Polar Cruising

At Haimen’s shipyard, nan Douglas Mawson delivered an awesome presence that wraps up nan full Infinity-class programme for SunStone, simultaneously enlarging nan Aurora Expeditions fleet. Fusing cutting-edge polar capabilities pinch uncompromising traveller comfort, nan alloy enhances greenish entree to nan planet’s past frontiers, reinforcing nan Australian people connected nan increasing Antarctic exploration market. Her maiden sunlight alongside nan berth not only seals nan books connected a notable shipbuilding chronicle but besides turns nan page to caller possibilities crossed nan polar-experience calendar.