Swan Hellenic welcomes flagship Minerva back into fleet

Swan Hellenic has welcomed flagship Minerva back into its fleet following three years of the vessel sitting idle in Fray Bentos, Uruguay.

Minerva was constructed in Helsinki Shipyard OY at the end of 2021 and then chartered to Swan Hellenic by STLC Europe Nine Leasing.

Its parent company, GTLK Europe DAC, was then sanctioned by the EU, US and UK in 2022 due to its owner, PAO GTLK, being designated as a Russian leasing company.

GTLK Europe DAC went into liquidation in May 2023 and following “lengthy negotiations” with joint liquidators, Swan Hellenic reacquired Minerva in accordance with all applicable sanctions on July 25 using shareholders’ funds.

Minerva will now join sister ships Vega and Diana in Ushuaia in November to start the 2025-26 Antarctic winter season.

In March 2026, it will embark on the line’s first Asia-Pacific season which will include the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan.

Swan Hellenic chief executive Andrea Zito said: “We’re delighted to welcome back our flagship SH Minerva.

“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.”