Helsinki Shipyard, the company tasked with building three new ships for Swan Hellenic, is inviting tenders for the sale of the second newbuild expedition cruise ship ‘Hull No 517’ (otherwise known as SH Vega).
The Finnish shipyard delivered the first vessel, SH Minerva, to Swan Hellenic in early December 2021. That ship went into operation in late 2021 in Antarctica.
SH Vega itself, a 5-star Scandi-designed, PC5 ice-strengthened hull vessel that accommodates 152-guests, successfully completed its sea trails in late May.
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Helsinki Shipyard has taken steps to auction off the sister-ship, SH Vega, after the leasing company GTLK Europe defaulted on the payments as per its newbuild contract, as a result of sanctions being placed on the company in April.
Bids are being accepted up until 24 June 2022, with the winner expected to be announced on 1 July, and the vessel delivered on 19 July.
In a statement obtained by LATTE, Swan Hellenic said: “In view of GTLK default, Helsinki Shipyard has started the due legal process of auctioning the newbuilt, envisaged by the shipbuilding contract. Whilst the tender process is in progress and will be officially completed soon, SH [Swan Hellenic] as a priority buyer has already submitted the bid and is at advanced stage of preparing the documents for transfer of the title on SH Vega and is ready to take full control over the vessel at the completion of the tender.”
According to its website, Swan Hellenic intends to operate SH Vega on its 11-day Svalbard Encompassed voyage on 20 July 2022.
Based on the above information, Swan says “we expect there will no change of plans in the scheduled cruises on July 20th with the Arctic season from Trömso”.
No comment was provided to LATTE on the future of Swan Hellenic’s third vessel, SH Diana, which has been earmarked for delivery by Helsinki Shipyard in early 2023.