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Velarca has unveiled the Velarca Explorer, a 100-metre luxury expedition concept designed for 32 passengers that prioritises environmental considerations and intimate exploration.
Velarca unveiled Velarca Explorer, a 100-metre luxury expedition concept accommodating 32 passengers with a crew of 32. The design approach reflects what the company identifies as tighter environmental expectations, evolving passenger behaviour and increasing demand for less congested exploration experiences.
The vessel concept centres on a hybrid propulsion architecture incorporating three operating modes: electric propulsion, wind-assisted propulsion through the Velarca Rig system and biodiesel-powered operation.
The project emerged from Velarca's research into expedition travel futures and long-range, low-impact navigation requirements. Velarca developed the design brief in collaboration with Tim Ulrich and Beiderbeck Designs.
Shalome Relander, Creative & Marketing Director at Velarca, said: "When we began developing Velarca Explorer, we were less interested in scale and more interested in clarity. What does expedition travel look like when you remove the pressure to carry more people, more amenities, more noise? The answer led us to something quieter and more deliberate."
Sami Lehtonen, CEO of Isola Corvus, added: "The guests we are designing for have already experienced comfort. What they are looking for now is something less familiar – journeys that feel remote, considered and difficult to replicate. That requires a different kind of vessel, not just a larger one."
The 103-metre ship concept has a 3,100 gt with four masts providing 2,040 sq m of sail area. The vessel incorporates ice-class capabilities for high-latitude exploration and remote destination access.
Velarca Explorer is currently progressing through discussions with prospective owners, shipyards and specialist technical partners. The company plans to release further updates as the programme develops.
Velarca operates as the maritime concept and vessel development platform of Isola Corvus, a Finnish maritime venture based on Kråkö Island in Porvoo, Finland. The company develops vessel architecture, propulsion concepts and guest experience programmes for high-value maritime projects.
The Velarca Explorer follows the Velarca 135, a 41-metre sail-assisted motor yacht that explored wind-assisted propulsion within the luxury yacht sector.
Beiderbeck Designs, the German yacht design and naval architecture studio that collaborated on the project, has contributed to nearly 250 international yacht builds and refits across sailing yachts, superyachts and explorer vessels.
Fuente: sea-trade cruise
