Niels-Erik Lund-led SunStone Ships has reached a framework agreement with China Merchant Industry Holdings to build up to 10 ice-class expedition cruiseships.
The deal involves four firm vessels and options for six more. The ships will have 80 to 95 passenger cabins, which will accommodate 160 to 200 passengers depending on configuration.
Miami-based SunStone, which is a tonnage provider with a fleet of 10 vessels operated by various cruise lines, says it will charter the newbuildings to new and existing customers.
Newbuilding snapshot
| Passenger cabins | 80 to 95 |
| Length | 104 metres |
| Width | 18.2 metres |
| Draught | 5.1 metres |
| Speed | 15 knots |
| Ice Class | 1A |
| Polar Code | PC 6 |
| Classification Society | Bureau Veritas |
| Flag | Bahamas |
"This new order positions the company as the leading tonnage provider in this segment of the industry," the company said.
No price tag was revealed.
Lund tells TradeWinds that the deal is subject to final documentation. The first vessel will be delivered in August 2019, with subsequent vessels to follow in roughly six-month intervals.
The project brings together a team of companies together for what will likely be a pioneering effort for a Chinese yard.
Ulstein ship design
CMIH has hired Norway's Ulstein Design & Solutions to supply the ships' design and equipment package, as well as supervise construction.
The shipbuilder has also hired Finland's Makinen to provide the interior spaces. The company will build a cabin assembly plant and interiors workshop at the CMIH's facilities.
Tillberg & Reyes Group, made up of Tomas Tillberg and Carlos Reyes, brokered the deal. And their Florida-based Tomas Tillberg Design is designing the hotel portion of the vessels.
Years in the making
The announcement of the order comes more than four years after TradeWinds reported that SunStone was close to inking an order for two firm high ice-class expedition cruiseships at a European yard.
That order would have included options for six more of the 200-passenger vessels.
