Ocean Explorer, the second polar cruise liner built by the Haimen shipping center of China Merchants Industry Holdings Co, is delivered to the United Kingdom on July 18. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

The second polar cruise liner built by the Haimen shipbuilding center of China Merchants Industry Holdings Co was delivered to the United Kingdom on July 18, according to local media reports.

Called Ocean Explorer, the ship is 104.4 meters long and has 131 cabins that can house 254 passengers and crew. 

It is equipped with the latest navigation technologies that allow it to undetake a voyage of up to 1,500 nautical miles even under rough sea conditions.

The ship combines the qualities of expedition ships and ordinary cruise ships such as high safety requirements, high standards of comfort and environmental friendliness.

The ship is a significant improvement over Greg Mortimer, the first polar cruise liner that the Haimen shipyard built. According to the company, Ocean Explorer has a more independent design, was built using more domestically produced materials, and has more areas that allow passengers to take in the surrounding views. It also has an outdoor swimming pool.

China Merchants Industry Holdings Co said that its capabilities have been steadily improving since building the No 1 (Greg Mortimer) and No 4 (Ocean Explorer) vessels. Construction on the No 2, No 3 and No 5 polar cruise ship is also progressing smoothly.