Douglas Mawson

The vessel has been classed by Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV). As part of SunStone’s low-carbon strategy, it features an electric propulsion system that delivers both high efficiency and strong environmental performance. Its Tier III-compliant design meets the requirements of MARPOL Annex VI, setting a new standard for environmentally responsible expedition cruising. With an overall length of 100.4 metres and a beam of 18 metres, the vessel accommodates up to 200 passengers and 100 crew. She is powered by two electric motor-driven propellers. Crucially, in line with the Safe Return to Port (SRtP) requirements under SOLAS, the vessel is capable of operating safely with a single propeller in the event of a failure.

Further, the vessel is customised to Aurora Expeditions and will accommodate 130 passengers in the polar regions and up to 154 for the operator's Small Ship Cruises (The Med, Atlantic Coast, Ireland and Scotland, Costa Rica and Panama and Borneo & Indonesia). She is ICE CLASS 1A certified for polar cruising and holds the highest comfort class.

Bureau Veritas (BV) has played a key role in ensuring the vessel’s compliance with international safety standards, including the successful completion of the US Coast Guard’s Initial Certificate of Compliance (ICOC) inspection—a mandatory requirement for any foreign-flagged passenger ship before entering a US port. Following this assessment, the SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety Certificate was also issued.

Throughout the design and construction phases, BV provided plan approval and survey services to verify compliance with Safe Return to Port (SRtP) requirements. While these standards are typically applied to vessels exceeding 120 metres in length or those with three or more main fire zones, their implementation on the Douglas Mawson reflects a forward-thinking approach to passenger safety. BV’s involvement included detailed design reviews and participation in dedicated technical workshops.

Designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS, this vessel is part of the Infinity class, which introduced the patented X-BOW design to the cruise industry. This innovative design significantly reduces wave resistance and vessel motion, enabling smoother and more efficient operations in challenging sea conditions. It also reduces noise and improves fuel efficiency, making it an excellent choice for expedition cruising.

The vessel’s interior design, crafted by Tomas Tillberg Design, prioritises bringing the outdoors inside. The two-story atrium and spectacular forward bow windows connect passengers to the natural world. It’s all about seamlessly transitioning from the ship’s cosy interiors to the awe-inspiring landscapes beyond. Public spaces include two restaurants, two bars, an outdoor heated swimming pool, a pool bar and Jacuzzis, a gym and sauna, and relaxation and wellness areas. There is also a library lounge, a citizen science centre and a lecture theatre. Observation decks offer panoramic views of wilderness and wildlife.

Although all the SunStone vessels in this class are designed on the same platform —104.4 metres long and 18.4 metres wide —they are all customised to accommodate varying numbers of passengers and crew. The public spaces are also carefully designed in accordance with the client’s request. 

SunStone's Chinese-built vessels

Ship history

2024, March: The operator Aurora Expeditions announced the vessel's name. The ship is named after the Australian geologist and explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. This will be Aurora's third X-BOW expedition cruise vessel, the other being Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle.

2024, May:Keel lay ceremony

2024, November:Launch

2025, 9 September:Delivery. After delivery, the ship will be chartered to Aurora Expeditions and embark on her inaugural voyages in autumn 2025.