Aurora Expeditions announced the launch of a new world-class expedition ship, designed for operations in the polar regions and remote destinations across the globe. Completed in time for the 2019/20 Antarctica season, the vessel is the first of its kind to use Ulstein’s X-bow technology.
The ship utilises the latest advancements in naval design and technology and is built to the latest polar code specifications, to offer safety and environmental protection.
“With the development of our purpose-built expedition ship, we stay true to our small-ship philosophy where the focus is on the experience and engagement with the environment, while at the same time providing the most comfortable form of travel in these challenging environments. In the polar regions, we will have the ability to reduce passenger numbers so we can continue to visit existing landings sites as well as explore new areas where strict regulations enforce no more than 100 people ashore at any one time” said Robert Halfpenny, Managing Director of Aurora Expeditions.
Norwegian ship designer ULSTEIN redefined the world of marine engineering when it launched X-BOW in 2005. The main advantage of the ULSTEIN X-BOW® is its ability to pierce waves with much greater stability than a traditional bow. While a traditional bow vessel rises on the waves and then drops violently onto the surface of the water, an X-BOW vessel, less subject to the vertical motions induced by the waves, continues on course more smoothly, while maintaining its speed. Because it uses less fuel to get through the waves, it also improves fuel efficiency and reduces air emissions.
Aurora Expeditions will become the first expedition cruise operator to utilise the new technology within the expedition cruising industry. The X-BOW hull line design has been tried in all weather conditions and is in its element in the harsher environments such as Antarctica and the Arctic.
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