Turning visions into reality is our slogan and driving force. It motivates us to keep pushing for progress in the maritime industry.
Through our stories, you can learn more about how we work with our customers to achieve their visions.
Aurora Expeditions' Douglas Mawson was officially named in Sydney on 27 November 2025 before embarking on her inaugural trip to Tasmania. This milestone marks history as the first expedition vessel featuring Ulstein’s X-BOW® design to operate in Australian waters. More than a striking visual signature, this pioneering hull shape represents a breakthrough in maritime engineering.
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.
The sea trial of the expedition cruise vessel, Douglas Mawson, was successfully completed on 2 July 2025. This significant milestone marks a step closer to the vessel's delivery in autumn 2025. The vessel was contracted by SunStone Ships and will be operated by Aurora Expeditions.
"When a viral Drake Passage video surfaced showing huge swells crashing over the bow of Quark Expeditions' Ocean Explorer, it wasn't just the power of the Southern Ocean that made waves.
The real star? The ship's cutting-edge X-BOW design."
This quote comes from Alex Loizou at Mundy Adventure.
With his permission, the whole story continues below.
In a landmark deal, Ulstein Design & Solutions AS has secured its largest aftermarket design contract to date for the cable-laying vessel Orient Adventurer. The contract, awarded by Dong Fang Offshore (DFO), involves both basic design and engineering provided by several of the companies in Ulstein.
On 27 November 2023, the hydrostatics and stability representatives from Ulstein Design & Solutions AS carried out the inclining test of the first offshore wind service vessel for Shanghai Electric. The vessel is an ULSTEIN SX195 design, and the first purpose-made SOV designed for the Chinese Offshore Wind industry.
The factory trawler ECOFIVE is one of the nominees for the 'Ship of the Year 2023' Award. The nomination committee states that 'This project is one of the most exciting developments done in fisheries in the last 30 years, with fuel savings of up to 40% and high quality of the catch'.
"Yesterday, in Lallemand Fjord, the fast ice edge was packed with ice. We had to go deep in for an ice landing. It felt like a 'Shackleton experience' surrounded by ice. It was probably one of the most stunning ice walk experiences in my life. After dinner, I married a couple under the bow of the ship."
In October 2019, the first ULSTEIN X-BOW® polar expedition cruise vessel, 'Greg Mortimer', left Ushuaia for her inaugural voyage. She was heading for the dreaded Drake Passage to reach Antarctica. Among those on board was Peter Szyszka, a diving instructor who “gets seasick just by looking at water.”
A vessel with the X-BOW® lines from ULSTEIN is unique, and very different from the usual cruise vessels. The seakeeping characteristics have an impact on comfort, safety, efficiency and operability. And then comes the distinctive looks!
The ULSTEIN series of cruise vessels combines the offshore tough with a luxury touch. The implementation of the X-BOW® feature, firstly used on numerous offshore vessels, contributes to a more comfortable journey in any weather. The passengers get close to nature whilst protected, on an extraordinary vessel.
An industrial design can inspire other areas, and the X-BOW has inspired various artists, from stamp and bank-note illustrators to church architects and animators.