SH Minerva was expelled from the Helsinki shipyard (Swan Hellenic).

Published June 25, 2021 6:03 PM by


The maritime executive

While the cruise industry is only just beginning to recover from the extended break in operations as a result of the pandemic, new construction of cruise ships continues. One of the segments that is expecting the strongest growth is the expedition market with smaller ships heading for remote destinations.

Helsinki Shipyard launched the first of a new class of expedition cruise lines this week. The SH Minerva is the first of three ships to be built at the shipyard as part of the revival of one of the most historic brand names for educational and expedition cruises. The original Swan Hellenic started out as a British tour operator in the 1950s and later evolved into chartering smaller cruise lines. The brand was taken over by P&O, but ceased operations 20 years later a few years after the merger with Carnival Corporation. Swan Hellenic was briefly reviewed by All Leisure Group before being sold when the company went out of business. Last year, a group of investors announced plans to restart the brand as an upscale, luxury expedition cruise line.

The company’s first cruise ship, the SH Minerva, was washed out of dry dock on June 23. In a complicated operation, the SH Minerva was brought from the dry dock to an equipment berth. Her sister ship, SH Vega, has also been floating and repositioned in dry dock.

Minerva float out

Are you staying in #Helsinki? Take a stroll through Bulevardi to Hietalahti Bay. There you can see our NB 516 / SH Minerva, which ran out yesterday, at the equipment quay of the #HelsinkiShipyard. HH Minerva only touched water on Wednesday when she was launched at the shipyard. The ship will be delivered to #SwanHellenic in autumn 2021. Check out the float-out video below.

Written by Helsinki Shipyard Oy on Friday, June 25, 2021

“SH Minerva is a next generation expedition ship and we are very proud of our contribution to all that it represents,” said Esko Karvonen, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard, during the float-out ceremony. “The construction of their ice-reinforced hull, for example, benefits from the solid experience of Helsinki Shipyard in building ice-class ships.”

The 10,500 GT ship is designed for 152 passengers in 76 cabins and suites and with a crew of 120 people. The cruise ship is scheduled to go into service in November 2021, followed by the SH Vega in spring 2022 and a third, larger cruise ship in autumn 2022.

All three ships are designed for minimal environmental pollution and meet the latest emissions standards, but are also battery-powered for future emission-free, quiet sailing in ports as well as wildlife and marine protected areas.

The SH Minerva has a 5 megawatt diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction and an ice-reinforced PC5 hull that is fully certified for safe return to port. At 377 feet in length, the cruise ship was designed for worldwide cruises to explore inaccessible places.

Designed to provide immersive experiences for its passengers, SH Minerva will have an expedition laboratory, a marine life library and an observation lounge for lectures. Expedition day trips by zodiac, kayaking, trekking and other activities are planned for the cruises. On-board amenities include a fitness room, spa, sauna, panorama restaurant and club lounge, as well as a pool deck with a bar.