Cruise ship Ocean Diamond being converted into a Floatel in Gibraltar
The small cruise ship Ocean Diamond is currently being converted into a Floatel in Gibraltar (Source: SunStone Ships)
The ageing cruise ship Ocean Diamond is currently in drydock at Gibraltar’s Gibdock undergoing conversion into a Floatel for British Columbia-based Bridgemans Services Group. Following completion of the work for the Vancouver-based Floatel specialist, the vessel will be renamed Diamond XI.
The 150-cabin vessel arrived in Gibraltar on March 18th. Currently, work being carried out on the vessel includes fitting a newly renovated dining room, a 200-seat auditorium, fitness facilities and offices with 45 workstations. The vessel is also being fitted with a new boat landing facility, for crew and cargo transfers.
The newly converted Floatel will be used by Bridgemans for workers engaged in LNG, mining and renewable energy sectors construction projects, and is expected to be ready for her new career this summer.
Originally built in 1974 in Norway as the freight RoRo Bergonia, the 8,282gt Ocean Diamond was converted into a cruise vessel by Bremerhaven’s Lloyd Werft in 1986 and has operated as a cruise vessel under the names of Song of Flower, Explorer Starship and La Diamant.
Ocean Diamond, which has been in lay-up for the past year or so, was previously owned by Miami-based SunStone Ships and managed by International Shipping Partners.
