The classic Marco Polo is heading to the scrapyard in Alang, India, according to a source familiar with the ship.
“The Marco Polo is headed for the beach,” they said.
Other sources said potential charter deals included using the ship as a floating accommodation vessel and even converting it to a permanent hotel. None of the deals materialized, however.
Following the demise of Cruise & Maritime Voyages earlier this year, the classic, 1965-built vessel sold at auction for just $2,770,000.
A former ocean liner, the Marco Polo was built in 1965 as the Aleksandr Pushkin for the Leningrad/Montreal route.
After serving its original purpose until the 1970s, the vessel started to sail as a cruise ship under charter agreements.
In 1991, it was sold to Orient Lines and renamed Marco Polo. In Greece, the vessel was rebuilt as a true cruise ship, also receiving new engines.
With COVID-19 taking its toll on the industry and with some ships and brands still out of service, the lack of income has claimed a handful of smaller cruise brands since the global pandemic started.
At the time, Pullmantur’s board of directors claimed that the unprecedented impact of the pandemic made the action necessary. While the website of the Spanish cruise line is still online, two of its ships are being scrapped in Turkey. The third was withdrawn from DNV GL’s database in August and is anchored off Greece, awaiting its fate.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) July 20
In the United Kingdom, Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) was placed into administration on July 20. On the same day, all future cruises were cancelled, including those of the sister-brand TransOcean Tours, which was also placed into administration in Germany.
In the weeks prior to the announcement, CMV was reportedly negotiating a rescue financing deal, which did not pan out. The Essex-based brand operated a fleet of six vessels, which were returned to its owners or auctioned off over the last weeks.
Operating for FTI since 2012, the 420-guest Berlin used to offer cruises in the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. In September, the FTI Group sold the vessel to new owners, who plan to convert it into a private yacht.
Blount Small Ship Adventures August 24
Blount Small Ship Adventures ceased operations in late August. The US-based cruise line operated a fleet of two small 100-passenger coastal ships and was a subsidiary of the shipbuilder Blount Boats.
While a message on the cruise line’s website says it “hopes to be sailing again in 2021,” all future cruises were cancelled, and its two vessels were spotted on Blount Boat’s website as available for sale.
Jalesh Cruises October 9
Jalesh Cruises announced its shut down on October 9. The brand had started operations in 2019, operating the 1,590-guest Karnika. With ambitions to grow, Jalesh targeted the Indian source market, sailing around the country and also in the Middle East.
In a statement, it blamed the future uncertainty for the situation, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “The owners of MV Karnika states that it is not in a position to start the operation as the ports in India has not given the date by which cruise ships can start its operations”, Jalesh said.
CMV Vasco da Gama built originally for Holland America Line.
Five ships from Cruise & Maritime Voyages will be auctioned off via CW Kellock & Co in October as five separate lots.
Up for Auction
– 1993-built Vasco Da Gama (Bid Deadline October 8)
– 1989-built Columbus (Bid Deadline October 12)
– 1985-built Magellan (Bid Deadline October 19)
– 1987-built Astor (Bid Deadline October 15)
– 1965-built Marco Polo (Bid Deadline October 22)
All ships are in Tilbury and can be inspected by arrangement, with the exception of the Marco Polo, which is tied up in Avonmouth and can also be inspected.
In accordance with various court orders following the insolvency of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, each vessel is to be sold by separate sealed tender, “as is where is” at the time of sale, on the Admiralty Marshal’s Conditions of Sale, with a clean title and free of encumbrances.
“Offers may be submitted in sealed envelopes marked with vessel’s name, or by email, and should be received by the EXCLUSIVE BROKERS, CW Kellock & Co Ltd, latest by 1200 hours midday on the dates indicated above,” said a statement from CW Kellock & Co.
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