Steel Cut for Quark Polar Expedition Ship

Croatia's Brodosplit shipyard today cut steel for Quark Expeditions' first newbuild, a 200-passenger vessel scheduled for 2020 launch.

The ceremony took place at the shipyard and museum of Brodosplit, and was attended by senior executives from both companies, including President of Quark Expeditions Andrew White, CEO of DIV Group Tomislav Debeljak and CEO of Brodosplit Zoran Kunkera.

The new ship from Quark Expeditions is the first of its kind, combining leading-edge technology, long-range operational capability and advanced safety systems to reach new frontiers in polar exploration, said a press release from the provider of polar adventure travel for three decades.

“Every aspect of the ship has been built with one thing in mind: continuing to redefine what is possible in polar adventure,” said Andrew White. “We’ve created a ship unsurpassed in its class not only by partnering with industry leaders like Brodosplit and LMG Marin, who are as committed as we are to pushing the boundaries, but also by consulting with our own polar experts and Expedition Leaders, who know better than anyone else what guests want out of their polar experience.”

The vessel, at 128 meters long, with a beam of 21.5 meters and at 13,500 Gross Tons which will set sail in 2020, will accommodate up to 200 passengers in spacious cabins and public areas and feature an unparalleled array of adventure options, allowing guests to maximize opportunities for spontaneous adventure off the ship while enjoying superior comfort on it.

“This ship will be more than just a ship,” added White. “It will be an unrivalled operational base for polar adventures. Our guests travel with Quark to maximize their expedition experience, push their boundaries and revel in the magic of the polar regions. With this new ship, in the hands of the most experienced expedition team in the industry, we will get our guests further into the polar regions, seeing and doing more of what the they have to offer, in a vessel of exceptional comfort.”

Featuring an interior Zodiac hangar and four embarkation points, state-of-the-art dual helicopters with simultaneously operable helidecks, a best-in-class 70-day operational range, and an array of cutting-edge safety features, the vessel will help Quark Expeditions deliver the thrill of polar adventure in new and unmatched ways while ensuring its guests’ comfort, enjoyment and safety.

Passengers will benefit from eleven different cabin styles, modern spa and fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor dining options, and a rapid Zodiac and helicopter deployment system that allows for safe and efficient movement on and off the ship, it said.

The new vessel will go on sale in Spring 2019, with the launch of its inaugural Antarctic 2020-2021 season.