Newbuild for Orion Expedition Cruises?

**Ally** · 06-02-2008, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Sarina Bratton, md of Orion Expedition Cruises, told Seatrade Insider today the company that was recently acquired by KSL Capital Partners has ‘no specific plans for a new build at this stage.’

Bratton, who retains her title and ‘a significant’ shareholding in OEC, was commenting on a report in the weekend edition of The Sydney Morning Herald that ‘the new owners are already moving ahead with plans to have a purpose-built vessel in service by 2011.’

Bratton said she had told the writer of the SMH story that ‘if’ OEC ordered a ship now, it would not receive delivery until 2011. However, she reiterated, no order has yet been placed although the company has been looking at a number of shipyards.

She said OEC would become a two-ship company with either a new build or the purchase of an existing vessel.

She said it will retain the 4,000gt Orion that was launched at the Cassens Shipyard at Emden in 2003 and was originally managed by US- based cruise operator Travel Dynamics International.

The 106-passenger Orion, that was brought to Sydney in April 2005 by OEC which manages and operates the purpose-built vessel under a long-term lease agreement with Explorer Maritime, has been ranked second best expedition ship in the world in the Berlitz guide to cruising and cruise ships.

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