Swan Hellenic recently received delivery of the first ship of its Vega Series, SH Minerva from Helsinki Shipyard in Finland. On board, CSI exhibitor ALMACO designed and constructed all guest and crew cabins as well as crew public areas.

Following its completion on December 27, 2021, the magnificent expedition and boutique ship SH Minerva boarded its first guests in Ushuaia and set sail for an adventurous journey to explore stunning untouched nature sceneries from north to south.    


Co-operation with Helsinki Shipyard and Swan Hellenic

ALMACO designed, procured, and constructed all of the ship’s passenger cabins, crew cabins, and crew public areas. The construction took place at Helsinki Shipyard, a valued client of ALMACO.

“It has been great to work with Helsinki Shipyard and Swan Hellenic on this project”, says Esko Ryyppö, Project Manager in charge of the Vega series project at ALMACO. He continues, “The project got off to a good start already in April 2020 and was completed in 1.5 years. We were expecting challenges due to the unstable market situation and took extra precautions to ensure the project was a success. Thanks to the great co-operation with Helsinki Shipyard and Swan Hellenic, we were able to deliver the project successfully.”

sh minerva cabin with two windows behind green curtains, a double bed, a desk and tv and grey sofa
The scope of the project included passenger cabins, crew cabins, and crew public areas

Luxury cabins for guests and crew

SH Minerva offers its guest 76 cabins, including 6 suites. The cabin types are Oceanview 19 m2, Balcony 28 m2, Suite 44 m2, and Premium Suite 49 m2. Suite or not, the cabins all offer top-class luxury standards and have all the amenities any guest could dream of. The well-planned cabins are spacious with large bathrooms. They also boast comfortable in-room dining with a spectacular view. The interiors on board have an elegant ‘Scandi-luxe’ Chic design.

With 120 crew members and 152 guests, the number of crew cabins was almost as big as the number of guest cabins in this project. SH Minerva offers its crew members beautiful surroundings and comfortable spacious cabins. Crew wellbeing and high retention are important for Swan Hellenic, who goes by the motto “happy crew, happy guests”.  


About Swan Hellenic

Swan Hellenic is an established, well-respected owner-operated heritage brand with more than 7 decades of expertise in undiscovered destinations. The company exists to provide its guests with authentic, intimate, and unforgettable moments in extraordinary locations and remote landmarks. On board, these are complemented by a sophisticated elegant atmosphere. Now, 70 years after its first pioneering cruise, Swan Hellenic is proud to return to the world’s waters with two brand new expedition ships.

About Helsinki Shipyard

Helsinki Shipyard Oy specializes in demanding marine technology and shipbuilding. The shipyard has a long history of experience in designing and building passenger and cruise vessels. The shipyard is also known for its icebreakers and other specialized vessels designed for arctic conditions.

About ALMACO Group

ALMACO Group is a full-service contractor for the new construction and modernization of Accommodation and Catering areas for the Marine and Offshore industries. ALMACO builds and refurbishes complete interiors of marine vessels and offshore units. These include cabins, wet units, public spaces, galleys, provision stores, and refrigeration machinery, as well as complete living quarters for offshore accommodations. ALMACO works with owners and builders around the world. They provide full turnkey solutions comprising design and engineering, project management, spare parts, and maintenance. Founded in 1998, ALMACO has offices in Brazil, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, and the USA.


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