Swan Hellenic has successfully acquired its soon-to-launch Vega ship from Helsinki Shipyard after the original buyer was sanctioned and failed to take delivery of the ship.

The 152-passenger vessel was going to be owned by Russian firm GTLK and chartered to Swan Hellenic but the company defaulted on its payments when it was sanctioned.

As a result, the shipyard exercised its right to sell the ship by tender. The auction ended last week, and after bids were analysed, Swan Hellenic was declared the winner.

Vega will be delivered to Swan Hellenic “as soon as all the registry formalities in The Bahamas have been completed”, the line said.

The ship will start operating in the Arctic as scheduled from July 20.

Chief executive Andrea Zito said: “We are happy to have secured Vega, a Polar Class PC5 vessel with state-of-the-art ship technology and sustainability that will enter service as planned in July.

“We look forward to welcoming our guests on board Vega to experience our cultural expedition cruises in sophisticated elegance, commencing on July 20 from Tromsø, Norway.”