Thursday 15 February 2018 saw the start-up of Ulstein Verft's next shipbuilding project for Acta Marine. The steelcutting ceremony was held at Crist at 10 a.m., a ceremony which marks the beginning of a newbuild project. The vessel is sister vessel to Acta Auriga, which is currently under construction at Ulstein Verft.
The contract of the shipbuilding project was announced at the OSJ offshore wind conference in London, one week prior to the steel cutting ceremony.
This SX195 design is a DP2 Walk to Work Construction Support Vessel (CSV) for the offshore industry. These ship designs are flexible and attractive for work within areas such as O&M (Operation and Maintenance) or construction support, especially in challenging weather and sea conditions.
Aurora Expeditions welcomed its third X-BOW cruise vessel, Douglas Mawson, in September 2025. “Many of our guests have travelled on other expedition ships before and immediately notice the difference. Whether it’s sleeping better at night, feeling less vibration during lectures, or spending more time in observation areas, the design truly enhances the experience,” says Katie Malone, Chief Marketing Officer at Aurora Expeditions, when commenting on the X-BOW design feature.
Ulstein Group received the 'Teamwork of the Year 2025 Award' at the IDC conference in Ålesund on 16 October 2025. The jury stated that: "Ulstein Group has built a culture where all disciplines are equally valued. The results speak for themselves: forward-looking vessels that meet both commercial and societal goals. Ulstein demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to groundbreaking solutions in the maritime sector, showcasing a strong ability to bring together designers, engineers, and key personnel in developing holistic concepts that combine technology, function, and aesthetics. Collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders – from local partners to international clients – drives innovation with global impact."
In October 2025, Edda Freya called at Ulstein Verft for a mobilisation on very short notice. In addition to several minor tasks, the vessel's crane, weighing 350 tonnes, needed to be relocated.
Ulstein Verft AS