Many ships have been converted into luxurious hotels and resorts. The latest ship to be transformed into a profit-making commercial venture is no modern-day creation but the world’s oldest ship! The MV Doulos, aged 96, is all set to be turned into a hotel with restaurants and a bookshop. According to The Straits Times, Singapore businessman Eric Saw said he would invest 7.5 million Singapore dollars ($5.33 million) to upgrade this old ship and convert it into a luxury hotel. Saw, director of BizNaz Resources International, bought the ship for an undisclosed amount from the German Christian charity GBA Ships, which operated Doulos as a floating bookshop from 1977 before decommissioning it in Singapore last year.
Built-in 1914, the Doulos was on its way to the scrapyard before Saw intervened and expressed his desire to buy this ship. From being operated as a supply vessel to a cruise liner, the Duolos has undergone various name changes over the years. Saw will refurbish this old ship and turn its cabins into luxury hotel rooms, restaurants, banquet rooms, maritime museums, and offices.
The ship will be renamed Duolos Phos (the Greek words for “servant” and “light”) and be ready in its new avatar as a luxury hotel by next year.
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