The 100-passenger Magellan Discoverer has finished sea trials in the South Atlantic, putting the vessel on track for delivery from Chilean shipbuilder ASENAV later this year and a December debut in Antarctica under a fly-cruise model run by Antarctica21.

The 5,900-ton expedition ship is, per ASENAV, the first hybrid-electric expedition vessel built at a shipyard in the Americas. Antarctica21 placed the order in early 2024, and final construction is underway at the builder's Valdivia yard.

Why does the hybrid-electric build matter for expedition selling?

ASENAV describes the Discoverer as the first hybrid-electric expedition ship built at a shipyard in the Americas. The package includes a Corvus battery system, and the vessel carries a PC6 ice-class hull rated for polar cruising.

For sellers, the positioning gives Antarctica21 a verifiable sustainability story at a moment when polar expedition buyers compare operators on emissions, fuel sourcing and shore-impact disclosures. The Corvus battery detail matters because it is a named, orderable component rather than a generic efficiency claim.

What is the commercial scale of the ship?

The Discoverer carries 100 passengers, matching the size of Antarctica21's existing Magellan Explorer, which entered service in 2023 and recently opened its 2026-27 season with a Puerto Montt departure. With two like-sized vessels, the operator effectively doubles berth capacity inside its polar fleet.

Every cabin on the new build offers a private balcony, and a wraparound walking deck delivers 360-degree views of the polar landscapes. Larger guest accommodations sit at the center of the design pitch for travel sellers positioning premium Antarctica inventory.

How does the fly-cruise product work?

During most of the inaugural season, Antarctica21 will run its signature fly-cruise package. Guests start in Chile, transfer to chartered flights to King George Island, then board the Discoverer for Antarctic expedition cruising. The model eliminates the Drake Passage crossing and lets the operator sell a shorter, higher-priced journey than round-trip Ushuaia sailings.

Doubling that capacity on a near-identical hull gives trade partners a steadier product to merchandise, with two ships rotating through the same itinerary rather than a single vessel absorbing all demand. For agents, that opens more departure dates and a wider booking window across the 2026-27 and 2027-28 polar seasons.

Who else has a stake in the launch?

Chilean President José Antonio Kast Rist visited the ASENAV yard and inspected the Discoverer. He said the country is "working to incentivize shipbuilding," casting the vessel as part of a national industrial policy.

That political visibility carries practical weight for expedition sellers pricing long-lead 2026 and 2027 Antarctica inventory. Sovereign support can translate into port-call reliability, charter-air access at Puerto Montt, and infrastructure investment at embarkation hubs that feed Antarctica21's fly-cruise flow.

What did the trials cover?

ASENAV said representatives from several organizations boarded the Discoverer for the trials, which tested navigational, safety and technical systems. Completion of those trials moves the vessel into the delivery phase later this year.

What happens next?

ASENAV expects to hand the ship over before year-end, with first guests boarding in December for the maiden Antarctic season. The Magellan Explorer will continue to operate alongside the new vessel on Patagonia, Chilean Fjords and Antarctica itineraries, leaving Antarctica21 with two 100-passenger polar platforms heading into its next booking cycle.