St Helena (the ship) going arctic

St Helena in arctic setting (AI generated?)

by Terra Nova Expeditions

Recently came across this LinkedIn posting where it appears that St Helena may be soon to change hands again, this time to a new cruise ship operator, Terra Nova Expeditions, for Arctic waters in the southern seas. Equasis at least has not yet picked up on any  changes in ownership and management but they could be out of date.

Their founder elaborates on the website the following: "RMS St Helena represents the kind of thinking we admire: reuse over replace, purpose over polish. She’s a rare breed—a vessel capable of reaching the world’s most remote places while carrying both guests and gear with self-sufficiency and grace. With her onboard cranes, robust build, and unique mix of cargo and passenger capabilities, she’s perfectly suited to the expeditionary model we believe in. Her extended range allows us to take her further a true expedition vessel modified for the modern traveller. With all the buzz about sustainable shipping, repurposing an older vessel actually is up to 10 x more efficient than a new build in terms of carbon footprint.

By bringing St Helena into the Terra Nova fleet, we’re not just acquiring a ship—we’re continuing a story of thoughtful innovation and environmental responsibility. She aligns with our mission to operate consciously, travel deeper, and offer experiences that matter.

“There’s something special about a ship with history, character, and a renewed sense of purpose. St Helena embodies what Terra Nova is all about—going further with less, and doing it with meaning.”

— Greg Carter, Founder, Terra Nova Expeditions"

Cruise Arabia, Latte luxury news and The Maritime Executive also carried stories about this development with more or less same content.

In broad strokes it seems to be the intention to depart from Ushuaia in Chile to the southern continent starting in 2026 offering 98 berths for passengers to circumvent some polar requirement that applies for larger passenger numbers.

It is a bit confusing reading about her as the RMS when she has not been in that capacity for many years, they also talk about retaining the British flag when she in fact currently flies the Djibouti ensign. 

She's also not anymore under Lloyd's classification either so in case an IACS class would be reassigned there will be that exercise to go through too (I did that the last time). 

I am also a bit concerned going south with ice class 1C that is meant that she only goes in first year ice with ice breaker assistance. 

Not to mention the old wheezing Mirrless Blackstone engines with very hard to get spare parts. 

It also might be cold there so possibly they need to look a bit at the insulation among many other things as she was not built for polar waters and the temperatures there. 

Mr. Carter at Terra Nova still has time to do some due diligence and put her up to standard although time is ticking.

Anyway, there is a lot of other dubious tonnage plying around the southern seas and I think St Helena is not one of the worst one's but still to be well prepared is half the voyage done. 

I wish them best of luck and fair winds if and when the cruises start.

Terra Nova on LinkedIn