Swan Hellenic has held a keel-laying ceremony for the next ship in the fleet.

Vega, which has been named after the first vessel to navigate the Arctic Northeast Passage, is the second of three ice-class expedition ships being built for the line.

The ceremony at the Helsinki Shipyard included the customary placement of coins, with Helsinki shipyard project manager Jonas Packalén and shipyard chairman Victor Olersky doing the honours.

Minerva, the first ship in the series, will be delivered in November 2021, while Vega is due early the following year. The third vessel, which will be larger than its sister ships, is scheduled to launch towards the end of 2022.

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito said: “Delivering to such a demanding schedule while maintaining the highest quality standards is a fantastic achievement.

“We’re honoured and thrilled to take Swan Hellenic into its next chapter with such fine ships and look forward to welcoming you on board to see what others don’t.”

Helsinki shipyard project manager Jonas Packalén added: “New builds Minerva and Vega are designed for extreme weather conditions, from the heavy ice of the polar regions to the heat and humidity of the tropics. And they’re naturally designed to respect the sensitive ecosystems of the unspoilt regions they explore.”