Chile’s First Hybrid-Electric Antarctic Cruise Ship Construction Underway

Construction has begun in Chile on a new exploration cruise ship, the Magellan Discoverer, which is set to be the first hybrid-electric propulsion cruise ship with Azipods to be built in the Americas. The ship is specifically designed to operate in Antarctica and is expected to be delivered in 2026. The steel cutting ceremony for the ship took place on February 8 at the ASENAV shipyard in Valdivia, Chile, with the shipyard highlighting the vessel’s reduced emissions and improved energy conditions.

The Magellan Discoverer is being built by ASENAV, the same shipyard that delivered the Magellan Explorer in 2019. Both ships are marketed by Antarctica21, a tour company in Chile, and are designed for Antarctic exploration. The new ship will feature a hybrid-electric propulsion system with Azipod units and an energy storage system with a battery bank developed by Corvus Energy.

The 6,700 gross ton Magellan Discoverer will have a maximum capacity of 96 passengers and will comply with Polar PC6 ice class specifications and Tier III emission standards. The ship will also feature luxury amenities such as passenger cabins with private balconies, dining areas, meeting rooms, observation bars, and a science lab. The ship’s first Antarctic program is scheduled to start in December 2026.

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