Quark Expeditions announces hybrid expedition vessel

The ice-strengthened 9,300gt vessel, with capacity for 200 passengers and a crew of 110, will have a speed of 16 knots and is due for delivery in October 2018.  
The 126m-long World Explorer is likely to be the first in a series of ocean-going expedition cruise ships built for Mystic Cruises, a company within the Mystic Invest group that also controls river cruise operator DouroAzul and Germany’s Nicko Cruises. The vessel will feature luxury suites, an outdoor running track, a dedicated spa area, lecture theatre, library, and outdoor deck space for sight-seeing across the polar landscape.
On delivery, the ship is due to embark on an inaugural Antarctic season from November 2018 to March 2019, chartered to Quark Expeditions, a polar cruise specialist. From then on, until the next Antarctic season when it is understood the vessel is chartered again to Quark, the World Explorer will be deployed on itineraries that include visits to small and exclusive ports around the world which are not accessible to larger cruise ships.
The vessel is to be fitted with a range of eco-friendly equipment supplied by Rolls-Royce. The package will include two Bergen C25:33L8P main engines and a Bergen C25:33L6P auxiliary dual generator. These connect to a low voltage AFE “SAVeCUBE” electrical system which allows the engines to operate at variable speeds and optimal efficiency for the power required. The company will also provide an automation and control system, a Promas propulsion system with controllable pitch propellers integrated with two flap rudders, steering gears and tunnel thrusters.