New Ship to Join Antarctica21 Fleet!

It’s with great excitement that we announce the addition of MV Magellan Explorer, a brand new expedition vessel to the Antarctica21 fleet and the first small-ship built specifically for Antarctic expedition travel since 2003!

MV Magellan Explorer features 50 passenger cabins in five categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. Reinforcing our commitment to the small-ship model, our Antarctic air-cruises will continue to be limited to a maximum of 70 passengers per departure, with each departure fed by a single flight.

The cabins are very spacious, ranging in size from 40 m2 (440 sq. ft.) to 20 m2 (220 sq. ft.). All double cabins have two twin beds that can be configured as one queen-size bed, offering great flexibility to our guests. 42 cabins feature a large window and a private balcony, while 8 cabins feature a porthole. 16 adjoining cabins can be configured as 8 two-room suites to offer guest the most spacious accommodation. All cabins feature a private bathroom and a sitting area.

Public areas include a large, forward-facing observation lounge suitable for briefings and presentations, an observation deck, a dining room that accommodates all guests and expedition staff in a single sitting, two meeting rooms, a gift shop, a protected outdoor barbecue area, a gym, and a sauna. The bow of the ship is accessible to guests to offer expansive views during exploration. Adventure activities, such as kayaking and snowshoeing, will be available to guests.

MV Magellan Explorer has been planned specifically for Antarctica21 air-cruises beginning with the 2019-20 season, with many technical features to support long periods of time away from port. Extended fuel range, comfortable crew quarters, spacious storage areas for provisions and supplies, and a workshop for equipment maintenance are just some of the features that make MV Magellan Explorer the perfect platform for our unique fly and cruise operation.

The ship is being built to the latest Polar Code specifications established by the International Maritime Organization and carries a Polar Class 6 ice-class (Lloyd’s Register PC6). For comfortable navigation, the ship features stabilizers; for maneuverability it features bow and stern thrusters.

Specific measures have been taken to minimize MV Magellan Explorer’s carbon footprint as well, including state-of-the-art engines that meet MARPOL’s stringent Tier III emission standards. To minimize fuel consumption, a waste heat recovery system recycles the heat produced by the ship’s engines and repurposes it to power the ship’s heating system and to warm the water used on board.

MV Magellan Explorer is being built in Valdivia, Chile, by ASENAV shipyard with interiors designed by renowned Chilean studio Enrique Concha & Co. Join us in celebrating this important announcement and stay tuned for regular updates on the construction process!

SPECIFICATIONS
Passengers: 96 maximum
Staff and crew: 60
Length: 90.7 m (298 ft.)
Breadth: 16.2 m (53 ft.)
Draft: 4.3 m (14 ft.)
Gross tonnage: 4,900
Ice-class: LR PC6
Propulsion: 2x MAN main engines, total 3,440 kW
Speed: 14 knots
Flag: Bahamas

For this project, Antarctica21 created an alliance with two strategic partners that bring extensive shipbuilding and ship management expertise to the venture. In partnership with those two companies, we have created a new entity, Minke Shipping Company Ltd., owner of the ship. Minke, in turn, provides the ship on an exclusive, long-term charter to Antarctica21.

QUICK FACTS
• With a shipbuilding history that spans over 42 years, ASENAV (Astilleros y Servicios Navales S. A.) has built over 180 ships, including expedition ships such as Stella Australis and Nomads of the Sea. ASENAV is also currently building the 200-passenger Ventus Australis.
• Enrique Concha & Co. is a renowned Chilean design and architectural studio. Among the many projects completed are the Stella Australis, Nomads of the Sea, the Singular Patagonia hotel, and the Alto Atacama Desert Lodge and Spa.