INFINITY CLASS

Miami, Florida - SunStone Ships, Inc. announced an aggressive delivery schedule for their highly sought-after new-build, INFINITY-class vessels. During the Steel Cutting Ceremony of the GREG MORTIMER, the First expedition vessel in the SunStone’s INFINITY Series, the second shipbuilding contract was signed between China Merchant Heavy Industries (CMHI) and SunStone Ships. This Vessel, INFINITY II (tbr), scheduled for delivery in August 2020, is essentially a sister vessel to the GREG MORTIMER, with a capacity of 160 passengers. The INFINITY II will have a number of different features from the GREG MORTIMER, but otherwise will be a sister ship from a capacity and technical aspect.
SunStone’s President & CEO, Niels-Erik Lund stated, “While we aren’t yet ready to announce the long-term charterer of the second vessel, we are happy to report that long-term charter contracts have already been signed for the INFINITY III and INFINITY IV.” As a result of the enthusiasm for the vessel, the company says it is pursuing an accelerated development of the fleet.
The INFINITY II contract was signed by David Zhu, Director of CMHI, and SunStone Ship’s President, Niels-Erik Lund. INFINITY II is the second vessel in a series of expedition cruise vessels being built by CMHI for SunStone; as part of a Firm contract for four vessels with options for an additional six. The Vessels are 104 meters long, 18 meters wide having a draft of 5.1 meters, a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The Vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and Zero Speed Stabilizers. The First ship, named the GREG MORTIMER is scheduled for delivery August 2019 and goes on charter to Aurora Cruises, Australia.
ABOUT SUNSTONE
SunStone Ships, Inc. operates a fleet of eleven vessels available for long-term charter, mainly for the small-ship/expedition ship market. SunStone’s expertise helps cruise lines and ship owners maximize their results through improved commercial ship management. Learn more about SunStone at http://www.sunstoneships.com/ 

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Miami, Florida - SunStone Ships, Inc. announced the steel-cutting ceremony for the first of their new Infinity-class vessels. The new Infinity-class cruise ships are the first to feature European design, technology and oversight to be built in a Chinese shipyard. Niels-Erik Lund, President & CEO of SunStone, commented, “We believe this is the perfect marriage of European cruising expertise with efficient and capable production in China. Our Norwegian technical design, and our Finnish interior design will be brought to life by the oldest, most respected ship builder in China. Take into account delivery of our first vessel to an Australian customer, and we have a well-rounded global team making this dream a reality.”

The steel-cutting ceremony for the first SunStone Infinity new-build took place at China Merchant Heavy Industries in Haimen, China. This event included several hundred invited guests, as it was not only the first cruise ship being built at CMHI but actually the first cruise ship built in China for the international cruise market. It was also the first of the SunStone Infinity series of what is expected to be ten ships.
This first vessel will be on a long-term time charter to Aurora Cruises, Australia, who have named the vessel Greg Mortimer, after the respected explorer and founder of Aurora Cruises.

Notable figures attending the ceremony included the Mayor of Haimen Municipal People’s Government, Ministers and representatives from many government authorities. CMHI was represented by a large delegation of the top management from the China Merchants Group of companies. The China Merchants Group was formed in 1872 and is one of the largest industrial groups of companies in China. The Group also includes financial institutions such as China Merchants Bank, one of the top 20 largest banks in the world, as well as China Merchants Leasing, a very active company in the leasing of commercial vessels.

Representatives from INFINITY Project partners included Claude Maillot, Senior Vice President Bureau Veritas and Lars Ståle Skoge, Commercial Director, Ulstein Design & Solution, as well as a number of his colleagues. Ulstein Design & Solution is responsible for the hull design and technical layout of the vessel, including the entire equipment package purchase in Europe and the supervision of the installation. Sameli Lahdesmaki, CEO, Makinen, Finland attended with a number of colleagues, and this company is responsible for all the vessel’s interior, i.e., passenger and crew cabins, as well as all public areas.

Aurora Cruises, charterers of the first vessel was represented by one of the owners, board member Glenn Haifer and by Robert Halfpenny, President.

Rodolfo Spinelli, SunStone Marine Advisors’ President and several of his colleagues were also present. SunStone Marine Advisors is the supervising company for the entire series of the SunStone new-builds, and have opened offices in China, operating with eight employees and expansion plans for up to 25 persons during the construction of the ships.

SunStone, which has ordered four vessels with options for an additional six vessels, was represented by CEO & President, Niels-Erik Lund; and the project attorneys, Stephenson Harwood was represented by Alain Gautron, Partner.

During the ceremony, speeches were delivered by the various partners, the shipyard and political figures, and a model of the Greg Mortimer was presented.

ABOUT SUNSTONE
SunStone Ships, Inc. operates a fleet of eleven vessels available for long-term charter, mainly for the small-ship/expedition ship market. SunStone’s expertise helps cruise lines and ship owners maximize their results through improved commercial ship management. Learn more about SunStone at http://www.sunstoneships.com/

SunStone Conservation
Advancing Greener Cruising
The highlight of INFINITY class is, of course, the One of SunStone’s key areas of focus over the past year has been the development of initiatives to save fuel and reduce pollution. One significant area SunStone is evaluating is the development of new propellers/propeller hub rudders on vessels. This one change can reduce fuel usage by between 6-9%. 

Another initiative to significantly reduce fuel consumption is being reviewed that includes a list of more than 60 items compiled for review – from the ballasting of the ship, to turning off pumps and equipment not in use, changing light bulbs to LED bulbs, etc., which can result in savings in excess of 4% on an annualized basis.