The next-generation expedition cruise ship that launched the rebirth of Swan Hellenic returns for good, with a stunning Antarctic Season followed by a first-ever Asia-Pacific Season that extends the pioneering company’s discovery choices worldwide.
SH Minerva is now back in the Swan Hellenic fleet. Following routine maintenance and preparations to Swan Hellenic’s usual high standards, she will set sail in November to join her sister ships SH Vega and SH Diana in Ushuaia, where she will begin the 2025–2026 Antarctic winter season in December.
Then, in March 2026, she will launch Swan Hellenic’s first-ever Asia-Pacific Season, taking its award-winning cultural expedition cruises to new horizons that expand its adventurous guests’ discovery opportunities worldwide.
The new in-depth explorations of the Asia-Pacific region include New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan, offering unforgettable experiences that range from primitive art, ancient rituals and anthropology to historical WWII sites, wildlife, snorkeling and watersports adventures.
“We’re delighted to welcome back our flagship SH Minerva,” says Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito “A symbol of Swan Hellenic’s rebirth, her inaugural Asia-Pacific Season will take us to fly our flag across the globe, reaching every ocean and continent. It’s a moment of immense pride for us.”
The cutting-edge expedition ship SH Minerva was built in Helsinki Shipyard OY at the end of 2021 and chartered to Swan Hellenic by the Irish owner, STLC Europe Nine Leasing Ltd.
The parent company of STLC Europe Nine Leasing Ltd, GTLK Europe DAC, was sanctioned by the EU, US and UK back in April-August 2022 due to the designation of the giant Russian leasing company PAO GTLK, which was a parent company of GTLK Europe DAC. SH Minerva has consequently been idle at Fray Bentos, Uruguay, since April 2022. In May 2023, GTLK Europe DAC went into liquidation. Joint Liquidators were appointed by the High Court of Ireland and PAO GTLK subsequently lost control of GTLK Europe DAC and all its subsidiaries, including STLC Europe Nine Leasing Ltd. The Joint Liquidators who now have control of GTLK Europe DAC and its subsidiaries obtained compliance of the sale of GTLK Europe DAC’s assets (including SH Minerva) with all the applicable sanctions.
After lengthy negotiations with the Joint Liquidators, Swan Hellenic finally reacquired SH Minerva from STLC Europe Nine Leasing Ltd in accordance with all applicable sanctions on 25 July 2025 using shareholders’ funds.
SH Minerva’s return marks an exciting new chapter for Swan Hellenic, with a three-ship fleet that takes its guests to live uniquely immersive discovery experiences in the heart of remote destinations all around the world, cruising in refined elegance to “See what others don’t”.
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