PHOTOS: Croatian shipyard completes €106 million polar cruiser during pandemic

“Ultramarine” (Photo: Brodosplit)

SPLIT, 19 December 2020 – Novogradnja 487, a passenger ship for polar expeditions, which will be named “Ultramarine”, sailed from the port of Brodosplit shipyard in Split for the first time yesterday on its own to Viktor Lenac port in Rijeka.

The technologically advanced ship for polar expeditions has been built by Brodsplit for American company Quark Expeditions, who are part of the Travelopia group. 

“A large part of the ship was practically built during most of the coronavirus pandemic. It was launched into the sea in May which shows the ability of Brodosplit to complete ordered works within the agreed deadlines, even in the most difficult conditions,” Brodosplit said.

“Ultramarine” (Photo: Brodosplit)

After docking in Rijeka, the ship will return to the Split waters, where test runs and final equipping will be performed before the handover, which will take place in the first half of February.

Ultramarine is 128 meters long and 21.5 meters wide and will be able to accommodate up to 200 passengers who will be cared for by 140 crew members in 103 luxuriously decorated cabins and public spaces and will have an incredible range of adventure options for all of them.

“Ultramarine” (Photo: Brodosplit)

After the delivery of the polar cruiser ‘Hondius’ in May 2019, which, to the great satisfaction of the owners and users, successfully completed one Arctic and Antarctic season, this ship will be even more advanced and a new pride of Croatian shipbuilding.

The value of the ship is over 106 million euros. The loan for its construction was provided by HBOR, and the guarantee was given by the Government of Croatia.

With this ship, Brodosplit strengthens its position on the market of passenger ships up to 200 meters in length, where it competes in the niche of builders of the most modern polar cruisers.