The Vigo estuary is experiencing an unprecedented moment in its long history of shipbuilding. Following the construction of the Azora, a luxury cruise megayacht for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, work has now begun on the Sea Cloud Spirit for the German company Sea Cloud, owner of two sailing ships for exotic luxury cruises, which will finally see its aspirations of having a third vessel fulfilled.
Behind this vessel lies a long story. In 2008, Hansa Treuhand (Sea Cloud) commissioned the construction of the Sea Cloud Hussar from Factoría Naval de Marín, a shipyard in the Pontevedra estuary, with naval engineer Iñigo Echenique responsible for the design. Financial difficulties led to the shipyard's bankruptcy, and the unfinished hull remained on the slipway for five years. The creditor, Bankia, sold the hull to Nodosa in 2014, and it has been afloat in the Vigo estuary since mid-2015. Finally, Sea Cloud resumed the project under the name Sea Cloud Spirit.
DNV GL has been awarded the contract for its classification, and representatives from both companies met in Vigo this week to sign the agreement. The three-masted sailing ship, scheduled for delivery in 2020, will be equipped with 69 outside cabins, 25 of which will have a private balcony, and will accommodate 136 passengers and 85 crew members. It will also feature a spa and gym.
“Sea Cloud Spirit will offer a new level of comfort to cruise passengers. In addition to beautiful views from private balconies, it will have the first elevator ever installed on a large sailing ship, connecting its five different decks,” explained Alberto Iglesias, Managing Director of Metalships & Docks.
