- Velarca launched the Velarca Explorer concept on 19 June 2026.
- The vessel accommodates up to 32 guests with a crew of 32.
- Hybrid propulsion includes electric, wind-assisted and biodiesel modes.
- The design resulted from collaboration with Beiderbeck Designs.
- The concept prioritises low-impact long-range navigation.
Velarca has unveiled the Velarca Explorer, a 32-guest, 100-metre-long luxury expedition vessel concept on 19 June 2026. The Isola Corvus company developed the design in response to market shifts. The vessel features hybrid propulsion with electric, wind-assisted and biodiesel modes.
The concept moves away from larger capacity trends and supports a crew of 32. Designers prioritised space, time and proximity to the environment. Collaboration with Tim Ulrich and Beiderbeck Designs realised the project.
Sami Lehtonen and Shalome Relander outlined the vision for remote and considered journeys. The vessel operates more like a private platform for exploration. Discussions continue with prospective owners and shipyards.
Sami Lehtonen shared “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. When we began developing the 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.”
