Helsinki Shipyard, where the ship is currently under construction, on Monday (12 December) confirmed Swan Hellenic as the winning bidder after the auction closed at midnight on Friday (9 December).

The shipyard said the two parties would now enter into "a new agreement for completion of the vessel", which Swan Hellenic declared would be named SH Diana back in April, ahead of delivery in March 2023, with the ship due to enter service in April sailing cultural expedition cruises in the Mediterranean.

SH Diana will be built to polar expedition standard like its sister ships SH Minerva and SH Vega, featuring a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system. It will be the line’s largest ship at 125 metres in length, capable of accommodating 192 guests and a crew of 141.

Andrea Zito, Swan Hellenic chief executive, said: "We are happy to have secured SH Diana, a Polar Class PC6 vessel with state-of-the-art ship technology and sustainability that will enter service as planned in April.

"We look forward to welcoming our guests aboard SH Diana to experience our cultural expedition cruises in the historic regions for which they were first conceived."

Kim Salmi, Helsinki Shipyard chief executive, added: “The shipyard is satisfied with multiple inquiries and received bids. We are also happy to announce Swan Hellenic as winner of the tender, as it naturally helps next step, the fast agreement and continuation of works for completion of the vessel according to the plan in March."