THE world’s first “X-BOW” passenger cruise ship has been launched, with the milestone moment for Aurora Expeditions taking place near Shanghai, China last week. The ceremony was attended by Aurora co-founder Greg Mortimer OAM himself, who is pictured with his namesake on the dock. The Greg Mortimer’s sea launch is...
THE world’s first “X-BOW” passenger cruise ship has been launched, with the milestone moment for Aurora Expeditions taking place near Shanghai, China last week.
The ceremony was attended by Aurora co-founder Greg Mortimer OAM himself, who is pictured with his namesake on the dock.
The Greg Mortimer’s sea launch is the latest stage in Sunstone Ships’ construction of the new vessel, which is scheduled to formally debut in Oct this year.
Aurora Expeditions MD Robert Halfpenny, who also attended the event, said the launch was the “culmination of months of hard work from everyone involved, and we’re delighted the Greg Mortimer has reached its sea testing phase ahead of schedule.
“Due to set sail in Oct 2019, the final stage of work includes the interior fit-out which is due for completion in the coming months,” Halfpenny said.
Mortimer, who also is one of Australia’s pioneering mountaineers, said “to have a ship named after me is surreal, wondrous and humbling.
“Was it better than climbing Everest or K2? I would say about the same but different,” he said.
The purpose-built Greg Mortimer is the first passenger expedition vessel to use the patented Ulstein X-BOW which allows for more gentle sea crossings and faster transit speeds as well as lower fuel consumption and air emissions.
