Sydney - Australia
APT Travel Group announced an exceptional ten-year operational agreement to operate its newest oceangoing ship, which is scheduled to enter service in 2029. The ship will operate according to a dual model that moves between two different tourism functions throughout the year to cover destinations in the Mediterranean and Antarctica.

An operating partnership between two companies

Under the agreement, the group's subsidiary, Travelmarvel, will manage and operate the ship during the summer season in the Mediterranean, while full operating duties will be transferred to Quark Expeditions, a company specializing in polar expeditions for use in Antarctica during the polar season extending between 2029 and 2030, allowing the nature of the tourism experience and the management crew to change according to the season and destination.

Technical specifications suitable for contrasting environments
The new ship includes 99 hotel suites, and has an external hull designed according to the PC6 class designated for sailing on ice, in addition to being equipped with logistical facilities to accommodate fast exploration boats. Its compact size also allows it to reach small ports and coastal towns in the Mediterranean that are difficult for giant ships to anchor in.

Sector vision to maximize asset efficiency

Commenting on this step, the CEO of “Quark Expeditions” said: “This innovative cooperation allows us to deploy a modern expedition ship designed to the highest standards of polar sailing in Antarctica, relying on our three decades of experience, without the need to bear the burden of investing in full ownership throughout the year.”

A return on investment and a vision of interest to the Arab sector
This agreement reflects a recent trend in the maritime transport and luxury tourism industry that focuses on increasing the efficiency of operating high-cost assets and rotating them between multiple markets instead of linking them to a single destination. This model gives Arab investors in the yachting and cruise sectors viable options to maximize operational returns by exploiting the variation in tourist seasons between the region and the world, in addition to providing various travel options that meet the aspirations of Arab tourists in different seasons of the year.