The ship, which represented an investment of US$50 million, has a double hull with Ice Class PC6 classification, which allows it to sail in frozen seas, breaking the ice as it does so. Its technology also means that it can operate for 60 days without needing to refuel.
The “Magellan Explorer”, the first Antarctic tourism ship to be built in Chile, by the Asenav shipyard, will begin its season at the end of October, with a program of 14 cruises over a period of 120 days, each lasting between six and 16 days, according to the El Mercurio newspaper.
The ship, which measures 91 meters in length and weighs 3,000 tonnes, has a capacity for 100 people. The project was developed by Sociedad Armadora Minke, a Chilean-owned company, and the Antarctica21 company.
Astilleros Asenav is currently running technical and mechanical tests on the ship on the Calle Calle River in Valdivia in southern Chile. It will be delivered on October 23 for the crew to take over its operation.
The president of the board of Antarctica21, Jaime Vásquez, indicated that the “Magellan Explorer will have 60 crew members of whom 15 correspond to the tourism staff.”
Implementation of the ship’s accommodation facilities has been completed with the equipment of its cabins. All the furniture, which was imported, is also on board, Vásquez added.
The ship, which represented an investment of US$50 million, has a double hull with Ice Class PC6 classification, which allows it to sail in frozen seas, breaking the ice as it does so. Its technology also means that it can operate for 60 days without needing to refuel.
It is expected to sail from Valdivia to Punta Arenas in the far south of Chile at the end of the month, with the launch ceremony to be held on November 8.
Its first cruise will begin on November 27, sailing from Punta Arenas to Antarctica where it will stay for 60 days before returning to refuel.
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Source: Mundo Marítimo / Photos: Antarctica 21.