As Novac/Jozo Vrdoljak writes on the 2nd of June, 2020, following last year’s delivery of its first polar cruiser Hondius, which completed its first Arctic and Antarctic season, it’s time for newbuild (novogradnja) 485 at the Croatian shipyard Brodosplit. Namely, the famous shipyard is working on yet another passenger ship for cruising the polar regions which will be named Janssonius.
Janssonius is Hondius’ twin ship, and according to Brodosplit’s main man Tomislav Debeljak, it is among the rare ships designed for polar expeditions in the world. Like Hondius, Janssonius has been contracted by Oceanwide Expeditions, which specialises in expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic. It is 108.6 metres long, 17.6 metres wide, and its speed of fifteen knots is provided by two main engines with a total power of 4260 kW.
It will be able to accommodate 194 passengers housed in 81 cabins, and cared for by 78 crew members. According to Brodosplit, they will offer their passengers a high hotel standard as well as various categories of cabins, from spacious apartments to two-bedroom and four-bedroom cabins, where they will be provided with a safe and comfortable stay with multiple secured systems.
“After the first ship was delivered on time and after it was built with a profit for Brodosplit, and the state even made money on it, the Dutch shipowner ordered the construction of another ship which is almost the same. So, the buyer didn’t immediately order the construction of two ships, but after he was convinced that the first one was built with quality, he ordered another one. With some minor modifications, the ship is identical to the first one that is already sailing. It is being built in the LR PC6 class, which meets the latest requirements of the Lloyd’s Register for Polar Class 6 vessels. The planned completion of construction is the end of next summer. This is a popular class of cruisers in recent times, which we believe won’t be affected by the coronavirus crisis like other segments of cruising have been,” said Tomislav Debeljak.
Debeljak revealed that Brodosplit was not hit so hard by the recent economic crisis as some other segments of the economy have been.
“We had, admittedly, experienced some delays in the delivery of materials, but that problem is now behind us. If there is a second wave of the epidemic to come, we’ll adapt to the situation. Given the situation in Brodosplit, it shouldn’t be affected by any long-term crisis,” assured Tomislav Debeljak.
Regarding the measures introduced to try to cub the epidemic in Croatia, Debeljak said he welcomed them. He is of the opinion that it would not be good for a European country to support its shipyards without Croatia doing the same.
Wijnand van Gessel, owner of the Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions, pointed out that he wouldn’t have contacted Brodosplit for another vessel if he wasn’t satisfied with the first one, Hondius, and the hard work of Brodosplit.
“They wouldn’t have ordered the construction of another ship if it were not so. We solved all the problems that arose during the construction together with Brodosplit. Hondius has fully met our expectations,” said Wijnand van Gessel.
Assistant Minister of Economy, Zvonimir Novak, pointed out that if the deadlines for the construction of the ship are met, then the Government of the Republic of Croatia has no problems regarding the issued guarantees for construction.
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