Brodosplit launches Oceanwide Expeditions' Janssonius

The 170-passenger vessel went down the slip Thursday in Split, Croatia.

Follows 2019's Hondius

'We are very pleased to welcome a vessel similar to Hondius,' Oceanwide CEO Michel van Gessel said. 'Hondius has performed outstandingly in the polar regions, and we are looking forward to offering identical services and quality exploratory voyages with Janssonius in the Arctic and Antarctica.'

Janssonius is being built to Polar Class 6.

Environmental features include LED lighting, biodegradable paints and lubricants and steam heat, while flexible power management systems minimize fuel consumption and, therefore, carbon dioxide emissions.

Bolstered by Bolster

Oceanwide said Janssonius shows the company is still 'robust and optimistic about the future of polar cruising.' Thanks in part to a recent investment from Bolster Investment Partners, Oceanwide continues to plan itineraries, book trips and build vessels.

Janssonius is named after 17th-century Dutch cartographer Jan Janssonius, son-in-law of Flemish cartographer Jodocus Hondius, the namesake for sister ship Hondius. The new vessel is scheduled to be completed and ready to begin its first Antarctic season in November.