Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has classified the Douglas Mawson, a 200-passenger expedition cruise ship designed for polar exploration and built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (CMHI) for SunStone Maritime Group A/S (SunStone).
It is the seventh vessel in SunStone’s Infinity-Class series.
The ship, 100.4 meters long and 18 meters wide, accommodates 200 passengers and 100 crew members. Equipped with two electric motor–driven propellers, it can operate safely with one propeller in case of failure, in accordance with the Safe Return to Port (SRtP) requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
In line with SunStone’s low-carbon strategy, the vessel features an electric propulsion system and a Tier III-compliant design under MARPOL Annex VI standards. Bureau Veritas supported the ship’s compliance with international safety regulations, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Initial Certificate of Compliance examination and the issuance of the SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety Certificate.
Bureau Veritas also carried out plan approval and survey services during design and construction to verify SRtP compliance. The application of these standards to a vessel under 120 meters demonstrates an extended approach to safety.
The Douglas Mawson incorporates Ulstein Design & Solutions’ patented X-BOW® hull, which reduces wave resistance and vessel motion for greater efficiency in rough seas.
Built to Polar Class 6 standards, the ship offers 80 guest cabins, all with private bathrooms and balconies, along with a restaurant, lounge, and 180-degree indoor observation deck.
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore is a division of Bureau Veritas S.A., a France-based international group specializing in testing, inspection, and certification services. The division provides classification, certification, and technical consulting for ships and offshore structures, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations.
