Swiss Shipping Group Acquires 300-Passenger Golden Horizon Sailing Ship from Brodosplit for €110 Million in Croatia

Croatian shipbuilder Brodosplit Shipyard has agreed to sell the 8,770-gross-ton sailing cruise ship Golden Horizon to an undisclosed Swiss shipping company for €110 million. The transaction marks a turning point for the 300-passenger five-masted vessel, which had remained in extended layup in Croatia following a brief operating period with Tradewind Voyages.

Croatian Shipyard Concludes €110 Million Sale of 8,770-Ton Tall Ship

Reports from Split, Croatia, confirm that Brodosplit and its parent company, DIV Group, reached a formal sale agreement valued at €110 million with a Swiss maritime group operating a global fleet of approximately 100 vessels. Contractual confidentiality clauses temporarily prevent the public disclosure of the buyer's identity. DIV Group CEO Tomislav Debeljak stated that proceeds from the acquisition represent a vital first step toward restoring financial stability and resuming active shipbuilding operations at Brodosplit.

The vessel has a complex construction and operational history. Originally ordered by Star Clippers under the project name Flying Clipper in 2019, the ship was built at Brodosplit's facility in Split as a modern interpretation of a classic 19th-century square-rigged tall ship. Ownership disputes prevented delivery to Star Clippers, leading to the vessel's renaming as Golden Horizon. After a brief charter deployment under UK-based startup operator Tradewind Voyages in 2020 and 2021, the ship spent five years inactive in Croatian waters.

Alongside the Golden Horizon transaction, Brodosplit is advancing plans to resume construction on the Janssonius, a 194-guest expedition cruise ship ordered by Oceanwide Expeditions. Designed as a sister vessel to the 2019-built Hondius, the Janssonius is currently 70 per cent complete after construction paused past its original late-2021 delivery date.

Golden Horizon Vessel Specifications and Acquisition Parameters

The acquisition transfers one of the world's largest square-rigged passenger sailing vessels to a major commercial fleet operator. Key technical and transactional metrics are detailed below:

Parameter / Metric	Verified Vessel & Transaction Data	Operational Context
Vessel Name	Golden Horizon (ex-Flying Clipper)	5-Masted Square-Rigged Sailing Ship
Agreed Sale Value	€110 Million	Acquisition from Brodosplit Shipyard
Purchasing Entity	Undisclosed Swiss Shipping Group	Fleet operator managing ~100 vessels
Passenger Capacity	~300 Guests	Boutique small-ship cruise segment
Gross Tonnage	8,770 Gross Tons	Largest square-rigged vessel in service
Construction Yard	Brodosplit Shipyard (Split, Croatia)	Parent company DIV Group
Sister Expedition Ship	Janssonius (194 guests, 70% complete)	Oceanwide Expeditions project update

Traveler Logistics Guide: Booking and Navigating Boutique Tall-Ship Cruises

Travelers interested in sailing aboard boutique vessels like Golden Horizon must navigate distinct booking and operational realities compared to mainstream megaship cruising. Key logistics considerations include:

• Monitoring Operator Announcements: No commercial cruise schedules or passenger booking engines have launched following the €110 million sale. Cruise travelers should monitor official releases from international maritime bodies like the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to identify the ship's eventual commercial operator, flag registry, and brand deployment.
• Itinerary Planning & Small-Port Access: Unlike 5,000-passenger megaships, a 300-guest tall ship can access shallow anchorages, small island harbors, and historic ports across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, or South Pacific. Passengers should anticipate tender boat transfers when visiting non-deepwater ports.
• Onboard Amenities vs. Sailing Mechanics: Boutique sailing ships emphasize traditional seamanship, open-deck space, and intimate dining over massive waterparks or theater venues. Travelers should review ship specifications to understand how wind-assisted propulsion affects cruising speeds and itinerary flexibilities.
• Travel Protection and Flexible Fare Rules: Specialized luxury and sailing cruise lines often enforce strict deposit and cancellation policies. Ensure comprehensive travel insurance coverage that protects against itinerary alterations or drydock scheduling adjustments prior to re-entry into service.

Shipbuilding Recovery and Niche Luxury Cruise Industry Impact

The €110 million sale provides crucial capital for Brodosplit, enabling the shipyard to recall skilled maritime workers, stabilize vendor debt, and complete long-delayed projects like the 70 per cent finished Janssonius. Brodosplit's recovery reinforces European specialized shipbuilding capacity for expedition vessels and custom passenger ships.

Within the broader cruise sector, the acquisition highlights sustained commercial interest in small-ship, heritage sailing experiences. While mass-market cruise lines continue deploying 200,000-ton mega-vessels, boutique operators targeting affluent travelers see strong demand for eco-conscious, wind-assisted luxury voyages. The eventual return of Golden Horizon to active service will add significant berth capacity to the global tall-ship sailing market.

FAQ: Golden Horizon Cruise Ship Acquisition 2026

Who purchased the Golden Horizon cruise ship from Brodosplit? The vessel was acquired for €110 million by an undisclosed Swiss shipping company that manages a global fleet of approximately 100 vessels.

What are the key passenger and size specifications of Golden Horizon? Golden Horizon is an 8,770-gross-ton five-masted sailing cruise ship with a passenger capacity of approximately 300 guests.

Is Golden Horizon currently accepting passenger bookings? No. Following years of layup in Croatia, the ship must undergo operational reviews, potential refurbishment, and brand integration before its new owner announces official itineraries and booking dates.

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