Swan Hellenic’s SH Minerva Returns to Service After Sanctions-Related Halt

Swan Hellenic’s SH Minerva is officially back with the Swan Hellenic fleet.

The ship will resume sailing in November 2025, joining SH Vega and SH Diana in Ushuaia, Argentina, which will serve as the homeport for the ship’s 2025–2026 Antarctic winter season.

In March 2026, SH Minerva will embark on the brand’s first Asia-Pacific season, with itineraries including Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan.

“We’re delighted to welcome back our flagship SH Minerva,” says Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito. “A symbol of Swan Hellenic’s rebirth, her inaugural Asia-Pacific Season will take us to fly our flag across the globe, reaching every ocean and continent. It’s a moment of immense pride for us.”

SH Minerva was built in Helsinki Shipyard OY in 2021 and was leased to Swan Hellenic by STLC Europe Nine Leasing Ltd., an Irish company.

The ship had been idle at Fray Bentos, Uruguay, since April 2022 because of international sanctions imposed in April-August 2022 by the European Union, United States, and United Kingdom on PAO GTLK, a Russian leasing company. PAO GTLK was the ultimate parent of GTLK Europe DAC, which was the parent company of STLC Europe Nine Leasing Ltd.

PAO GTLK lost control of the ship’s ultimate ownership when GTLK Europe DAC went into liquidation in May 2023. Subsequently, after lengthy negotiations with the appointed liquidators, Swan Hellenic reacquired the SH Minerva on July 25, 2025, using shareholders’ funds and in accordance with all applicable sanctions, the company said.