It seems like one of those unrealizable ideas, as suggested by the fact that it’s been around since the late ’90s. That’s when Freedom Cruise Line International began to promote the project a ship of colossal dimensions that would function as a floating city. After almost three decades, the company seems to take a step forward after announcing its association with the design studio Schopfer Associates to develop the project.
If Freedom Ship becomes a reality, it would dwarf any existing ship and mark a new milestone in maritime engineering. Unlike conventional cruise ships, the Freedom Ship is conceived as a permanent residential community. The boat would house about 50,000 residents full time, 10,000 visitors temporary and 20,000 crew. Its promoters envision a self-sufficient urban environment in which people can develop all aspects of their lives without having to abandon ship.
To hold all this you need space. Lots of space. The ship would have 1.6 kilometers long, 244 meters wide and would rise 30 stories above the waterline. With an estimated weight of 2.3 million tonswould become the largest sea vessel ever built. The proposed floating city would carry more than eight times the population that the largest cruise ships in the world can accommodate, the Star of the Seas and the Icon of the Seasboth of Royal Caribbean.
The project aims to offer all the services of a modern city. Residents would have access to shops, banks, restaurants, schools, health centers and leisure spaces. Children could complete their education on board through institutions ranging from primary school to university level.
Ship plans include a sports stadium for 15,000 spectators, two museums, a convention center, a symphony hall and a large water park. The concept also contemplates a two-story dining room, a nightclub and an aquarium on board. Diving enthusiasts could even swim inside the aquarium facilities.
The boat would not be reserved only for permanent residents. Two great hotels They would accommodate guests from all over the world. Eight heliports They would facilitate air travel, while visitors from coastal cities could take ferries to reach the ship when it was anchored off the coast.
Moving on a 1.6 kilometer boat would require its own transport network. The designers have proposed an internal tram system to connect the different sections of the ship. Residents and visitors would also have access to some 24 kilometers of walkways already close to 1.2 hectares of green areas distributed throughout the structure.
The Freedom Ship is expected to sail at about seven knots and complete a trip around the world every two years. Due to its enormous dimensions, it would remain in international waters and would be too large to dock in traditional ports. It is also expected to use nuclear power and that it receives maintenance while operating at sea, which would eliminate the need for a home port.
The company is currently seeking the huge financing needed to begin construction. Despite the difficulties, Roger GoochCEO of Freedom Cruise Line International, remains optimistic and says that ‘We are very confident that we can pull this off’. If financing is secured, construction would take place in Indonesia and could require up to four years. Developers hope future residents can begin moving into their homes before the entire vessel is completed.