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Brodosplit is building the largest sailing ship in the world

Brodosplit announced on Tuesday that steel processing for newbuilding 483 has begun at the shipyard, the future largest sailing ship in the world, contracted with Star Clippers Ltd. from Monaco.

The ship will be 162 meters long and 18.5 meters wide, with a capacity of 2000 tons, featuring five masts and sails with a total area of 6,347 square meters, according to Brodosplit, adding that the ship will have a steel structure, while the deck will be completely covered with the highest quality teak. The statement also includes a quote from the CEO of Brodosplit, Tomislav Debeljak, stating that due to increased global demand for cruising, especially on sailing ships, the client Star Clippers Ltd. will expand its existing fleet, which currently consists of three such ships with the new vessel.

– The successful realization of this contract, with the support of HBOR, will contribute to the sustainable operation of the Brodosplit group and the preservation of its core activities, and will ensure Brodosplit’s entry into the growing sailing market and obtaining significant references, emphasizes Debeljak.

According to Brodosplit, the ship will have five decks, accommodating 450 people, of which 300 passengers will be housed in 150 luxury cabins, and up to 150 crew members in 74 cabins.

The ship is exclusively intended for sailing, although it will have two completely independent electric motors. The design and construction will respect the concept of “safe return to port.” This system actually means that all key equipment on the ship will be duplicated, which is why the construction of two engine rooms with devices for producing electricity and water, all fuel and lubricant systems, and an additional command bridge is planned. Practically everything on the ship will be double, so in the event of any failure, fire, or flooding of any space or zone on the ship, it will be able to return to port from a distance of nearly 2000 nautical miles, which is otherwise the farthest point from land at sea, explain Brodosplit.

It is planned to sail in all the seas of the world, even in the Arctic and Antarctic, which is why it will be built in accordance with ice class requirements. The speed of the sailing ship will be around 16 knots, and it will be able to sail at a speed of 20 knots under the right weather conditions and crew training. With the propulsion of two engines, it will be able to sail at 16 knots.

At the beginning of July, the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) announced that by issuing an insurance policy for the return of part of the loan, they supported the Brodosplit group in the project of building the sailing ship for the Monegasque client. Namely, the purchase of the ship is financed by the German KfW Ipex Bank together with another commercial bank, and one of the prerequisites for fulfilling the loan agreement was the issuance of an insurance policy under which HBOR assumes the risk of returning part of the loan that KfW Ipex approved for the ship’s client.

The launch is expected in the summer of 2016, and the handover at the end of 2017.