Quark Expeditions has signed an agreement with Brodosplit shipyard in Croatia to build a new 200-passenger ship.
The 13,000 gross tonnes ship, set to launch in 2020, will have 20 Zodiacs to give passengers more landing opportunities across four embarkation points.
The vessel has been designed by naval architect LMG Marin in cooperation with Quark Expeditions.
Quark’s new ship will have a 40-day operational capability will allow the line to safely reach the Ross Sea and the “Phantom Coast”, both in Antarctica.
Andrew White, the line’s president, said: “This ship will be more than just a ship – it will be an unrivalled operational base for polar expeditions.
“Our guests travel with Quark to maximize their expedition experience, push their boundaries and experience the magic of the polar regions.
“With this new ship, in the hands of the most experienced expedition team in the industry, we will get you off the ship and into nature further, faster and safer than ever before.”
The vessel will be the eighth in Quark’s fleet when it launches in two years’ time.
Luxury ship World Explorer, Quark’s seventh vessel, will launch at the end of this year.