AE Expeditions has announced the successful completion of sea trials for its newest purpose-built vessel, Douglas Mawson.
*All details correct at time of publish (18 July 2025)
Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, the ship is the latest addition to the AE fleet and will soon embark on her highly anticipated inaugural voyages.
Conducted from June 26 to July 2, 2025, this critical phase in the construction and delivery timeline tested key systems, including propulsion, navigation, and safety, confirming the vessel’s readiness to explore some of the most remote and challenging environments on Earth.
The Douglas Mawson is scheduled for delivery in September 2025 ahead of the inaugural voyage in December. The ship will first explore Tasmania’s rugged coastline on its shakedown cruise, followed by the inaugural Antarctic season with Mawson’s Antarctica, tracing the footsteps of its namesake.
From there, Douglas Mawson will continue into a full 2025/26 Antarctica season, including the rarely operated Epic Antarctica: Crossing the 7th Continent.
Carrying a maximum of 130 for polar expeditioners and 154 passengers maximum for Small Ship cruises, the Douglas Mawson offers an intimate, welcoming experience with stylish, state-of-the-art amenities.
Onboard features include a lecture theatre, science centre, heated outdoor pool, multiple dining venues, and dedicated mudroom facilities. Purpose-built for low-impact exploration, the ship will also support AE’s growing sustainability and citizen science programmes.
The Douglas Mawson will join the company’s fleet of small expedition ships, all purpose-built to access wild and remote coastlines while delivering an exceptional onboard experience and expert-led exploration.
In addition to polar voyages, AE’s small ships explore some of the world’s most remarkable and culturally rich regions, including the Mediterranean, Scotland, Ireland, Latin America, and beyond, offering travellers immersive adventures far from the crowds.
“Sea trials are one of the most important steps in bringing a ship to life,” said Michael Heath, CEO of AE Expeditions. “We’re thrilled with the results and can’t wait to welcome our expeditioners aboard ‘Douglas Mawson’ for her inaugural voyages later this year.”
The Douglas Mawson is the seventh and final Infinity Class vessel constructed by SunStone Maritime Group, and the third in AE’s fleet.
Featuring the distinctive Ulstein X-BOW® and a suite of sustainable features designed for maximum efficiency and minimal impact, the Douglas Mawson reflects the latest in responsible ship design.
AE Expeditions also operates two other Infinity Class vessels, the 2019-built Greg Mortimer and the 2022-built Sylvia Earle.
For more information, visit www.aexpeditions.co.uk
Visit the Travel Pursuit News Hub for more exciting updates.
