SH Minerva Returns to Swan Hellenic Fleet Just in Time for Antarctic and Asia-Pacific Seasons

The next-generation expedition ship, SH Minerva, has rejoined the Swan Hellenic fleet, marking the company’s return to full global service. After a period of inactivity due to sanctions and legal issues, the vessel was reacquired by Swan Hellenic on July 25, 2025, utilizing shareholders’ funds after negotiations with liquidators.

Following some routine maintenance and preparations to align with the line’s high standards, SH Minerva is slated to embark in November 2025 from Ushuaia to kick off its 2025–2026 Antarctic winter season, alongside its sister ships SH Vega and SH Diana.

After the polar season, the SH Minerva will participate in Swan Hellenic’s inaugural Asia-Pacific program commencing in March 2026. This voyage will take guests to destinations such as the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan. These itineraries will emphasize immersive experiences with cultural encounters, WWII heritage sites, and opportunities for wildlife observation and watersports.

Andrea Zito, CEO of Swan Hellenic, highlighted the reestablishment of SH Minerva as a significant milestone and a symbol of the cruise line’s revival. The Asia-Pacific season will enable Swan Hellenic to cruise on all oceans and continents, reflecting the company’s renewal and ambition on a global scale.

SH Minerva was constructed at the Helsinki Shipyard and initially launched in late 2021 but had been inactive since April 2022 due to sanctions against its parent company, GTLK Europe DAC, which entered liquidation in May 2023. After extensive legal processes, the ship was reacquired by Swan Hellenic in July 2025.

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