Star Clippers has begun construction on what will be the largest square-rigged sailing ship in the world.

The new vessel, the fourth ship in the Star Clippers fleet, is expected to launch mid-2017. It will supersede the line's flagship Royal Clipper, which carries 227 passengers and is currently the largest square-rigged passenger ship.

The build will be modelled on the five-masted sailing ship France II, which was commissioned in 1911 and was also the largest square-rigger in the world when it launched.

Announcing the new ship on board Star Flyer yesterday, founder and owner of Star Clippers Mikael Krafft described the build as "an ambition I have had for a long time". He added: "The ship's rig will be identical to that of France II and dimensions will be very similar, although we have added various features that will make this the most magnificent passenger sailing ship afloat."

A view of the Amalfi coast from on board Royal Clipper (Photo: Teresa Machan)

The ship will carry 300 passengers in 150 cabins, weigh 8,770 tons and be powered by 6,350 sq m of sails. Technically known as a five-mast barque, its facilities will include four bars, three swimming pools, a dining room, a library, a watersports platform and a spa and beauty centre.

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Construction started 10 months ago in Croatia's Brodosplit shipyard on the Adriatic coast. "Larger, more established shipyards are unable or unwilling to cope with the demands of hand-building a sailing ship of this size," said Krafft.aid Krafft.

Most new ships are constructed in more established shipyards in Germany and Italy. Commenting on his difficulty in finding shipyards capable of building large sailing ships – rather than the more conventional 'sail-assisted' engine-powered vessels – Krafft joked that construction of his vessel had started "100 years too late".

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Patong Beach, Phuket

The company has also announced its return to southeast Asia, where it will operate a winter season in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Star Clipper will sail in December 2016 to its new home port of Phuket, Thailand, where it will operate seven-night round-trip cruises on two different routes. This will be the first time the company has sailed to the region since March 2010.

Krafft said: "We have been waiting a long time to resume these popular itineraries and are now returning to southeast Asia to explore beaches, islands and anchorages not visited by other cruise ships."

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