Star Clippers Tight-lipped on Newbuild

After announcing plans last September to build the largest and most expensive sailing vessel ever, Star Clippers is still in discussions with various shipyards and “working on purchasing agreements” for its fourth yet-to-be-named ship, said Mark Carlson, director of marketing, last week.

“I haven’t heard much on anything at all as of late; it’s all very hush,” Carlson said. However, he did reveal that the five-masted vessel will be 7,400 tons, 518 feet in length, have a beam of 61 feet, and a 20-foot draft.

The ship will also have an “Ice-Class C” hull, extra-heavy anchor gear, a davit-dampening system, and specially modified tenders –allowing her to sail virtually anywhere in the world. Currently, Star Clippers operates three sailing ships in the Caribbean, Far East, Mediterranean and Tahiti.