Aranui Cruises will add a second ship to its fleet which will sail the South Pacific from 2027.
The 198-passenger Aranoa is currently under construction at a shipyard in China and will be a mixed passenger and freighter vessel.
Reservations for sailings will open from June.
Aranoa will be designed to “minimise its environmental impact” with a diesel-electric propulsion system, environmentally friendly antifouling coating and propeller design to reduce acoustic impact and preserve marine life.
The ship will have 93 cabins, of which 62 will have a private balcony, two restaurants, two bars, two whirlpools, one boutique, a spa, a fitness centre and a tattoo salon.
In addition, all of Aranoa’s crew members will be Polynesian.
Romina Wong, director of marketing, communications and operations, said: “Aranui Cruises has a proud heritage of helping in the development of the economies of remote Tahitian Islands by supplying the islanders of the Marquesas, and we are delighted that through the launch of Aranoa in 2027, we will be able to continue this tradition by supplying the remote Austral Islands and their residents with the provisions they require the most.”
She added: “This is the first cruise of its kind to bring tourist exploration to the Australs on a regular basis.
“In addition to contributing to the development of tourism in the Austral archipelago, we hope to provide new economic opportunities for the islanders by showcasing to our passengers these magnificent and untouched islands, vibrant landscapes, and rich culture, as well as promoting important inter-island exchanges.”