The world’s oldest operational cruise ship ‘Astoria’ has been circulated for sale.
She will be auctioned for a minimum of €10 mill, according to a report in Lloyd’s List.
The Administrator for Islands Cruises ‐ Transportes Marítimos Unipessoal, Lda – announced the sale on the basis of a ‘Closed Letter with Proposal’, of the arrested vessel.
She has been put up for sale by the Judicial Court of the District of Madeira ‐ Funchal Commerce Court – as she flies the Madeira flag, under the auspices of Portugal.
‘Astoria’ will be sold in its current physical and legal condition, that is free from all mortgages, encumbrances and maritime liens or any other debt.
The buyer will have the responsibility for all costs associated with the purchase, namely registration.
After leaving Tilbury under tow for Lisbon, following a period of layup following the demise of CMV, she was re-routed to Rotterdam, where the vessel is currently berthed.
‘Astoria’ was built in 1948 as the transatlantic liner ‘Stockholm’ for Swedish American Line and rebuilt as a cruise ship in 1993.
Her claim to fame came in 1956 when she collided with and sank the Italia Line liner ‘Andrea Doria’ near the Nantucket light in thick fog with 48 fatalities on board the Italian liner.
