S’porean who spent $23m converting ship into hotel has written book about the 9-year saga

The Doulos Phos ship sits on a plot of reclaimed land shaped like an anchor along Bintan Island’s coast. PHOTO: DOULOS PHOS THE SHIP HOTEL
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

SINGAPORE – When Singaporean businessman Eric Saw, 73, bought the maritime vessel MV Doulos in 2010, he did not expect that it would take nine arduous years before the hotel he envisioned would finally see the light of day.

Mr Saw chronicles his journey in a 180-page book, The Ship And I: In Pursuance Of The Grand Old Lady Of The Seas, which was released on Aug 22 – the vessel’s 110th anniversary.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.