Its owner originally wanted to use it as a hotel ship and diving platform in Thailand when it left Norway 15 years ago, but none these plans ever reached fruition. 

As a result, the ship hasn’t been removed or renovated ever since, it still has leaflets left on board, and has is has been lying unused in a water basin in Myanmar since 1997 when it was sold.

Captain Jan-Olav Storli had the idea of selling it, and decided to be a liaison between ‘Kong Olav’s’ current owners Andaman Marine, and possible parties who are interested in returning the ship back to its origins, reports Bergens Tidende.

According to him the ship “needs to be refurbished both inside and out after 12 years out of circulation. The technical and safety equipment needs to be checked and upgraded too. The engine has not been run for four years.”

He also said that a full inspection of the NOK 5.2 million-priced ship (about USD 900,000, excluding maintenance, crew, and permits) was carried out a few days ago, but the report has not been received yet. 

Captain Storli underlined stressed that MS “Kong Olav” is still in a good shape and the hull is in a good condition, with no underwater leaks. 

The advertisement on Finn.no suggests the vessel could easily be used as a conference ship, accommodation, exhibitions, or even for parties. 

According to BT, some people have already made offers for “Kong Olav”, but none came from Norway. Most of the inquiries were from Sweden, the Netherlands and Abu-Dhabi.

---