Swan Hellenic Welcomes SH Minerva Back to Its Cruise Fleet

Swan Hellenic has officially welcomed SH Minerva back to its fleet after years of legal uncertainty. The expedition vessel will return to service in November, joining sister ships SH Vega and SH Diana in Ushuaia, Argentina, for the 2025-26 Antarctic season. In March 2026, SH Minerva will embark on the company’s first Asia-Pacific season, offering itineraries to destinations such as the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan.

“We’re delighted to welcome back our flagship SH Minerva,” said Andrea Zito, CEO of Swan Hellenic. “Her return marks a new chapter for the company as we expand globally, reaching every ocean and continent. This milestone brings immense pride to our team.”

Built at Helsinki Shipyard in late 2021, SH Minerva was originally chartered to Swan Hellenic by STLC Europe Nine Leasing Ltd. However, its parent company, GTLK Europe DAC, was sanctioned by the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom in 2022 due to ties with Russia’s PAO GTLK. As a result, the ship was laid up in Uruguay from April 2022.

Following the liquidation of GTLK Europe DAC in 2023, Joint Liquidators assumed control of its subsidiaries, including STLC Europe Nine Leasing Ltd. After securing full compliance with international sanctions, Swan Hellenic successfully reacquired SH Minerva in July 2025 using shareholder funds.

With its return, the vessel is set to enhance Swan Hellenic’s global expedition offering, strengthening the line’s presence in both polar and tropical regions.

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