Indian cruise operator Assam Bengal Navigation has announced the commencement of construction in Kolkata of the company's latest ship.
Joining the company's existing fleet of the ABN 'Charaidew' and ABN 'Sukapha', the 50 metre vessel has been designed specifically for conditions on the Ganges with an extra-shallow draught and reduced air draught.
The vessel will have 22 cabins, all featuring a French balcony, and will feature a spa in addition to saloon, dining room and large sundeck. Four of the cabins will be singles.
The new ship will be taking over the company's programme of cruises on the Ganges and the Hugli and will enter service in February 2014.
"The arrival of the new ship will enable the eventual return of ABN 'Sukapha' to join ABN 'Charaidew' on the Brahmaputra, where experience this winter has shown that there is no place on this most challenging of rivers for over-large over-deep vessels," said Assam Bengal in a company statement.
"With our own two small shallow-draught ships, we will be well placed to provide much-needed extra capacity for cruises in Assam, now firmly established as an up-and-coming cruising area.
"Wildlife viewing, such an important component of the Assam experience, has now been safeguarded by the Supreme Court's recent verdict which retains as full access as before to Kaziranga and the other National Parks in the region."