Brokerage news

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel has announced itineraries and shore excursions for its Luxury Yacht Collection. Three luxury cruising yachts are scheduled to sail in 2020. Ritz-Carlton will start taking reservation from May 21 from its loyalty members and those of its parent company Marriott International. The very first voyage will sail out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Feb. 1, 2020, for a 8-night cruise in the Caribbean. The yacht will travel to Bimini, Bahamas, and Key West, Florida, before returning to Fort Lauderdale.In its inaugural season, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will offer 40 different voyages, most ranging from 7 to 10 nights. Number of experiences will be available, such as visiting a renowned winery in Bordeaux, France, learning how baby oysters are grown in a private farm in Sete, France or even emeeting with a spiritual shaman in the Grenadines. The shore excursions will be grouped into five categories: Iconic Sights (art and culture); Stirring the Senses (wellness); Cultural Connections (wild life); Active Explorations; and Epicurean Experiences. The trips “illustrate our commitment to providing rare opportunities to today’s luxury traveler,” said Lisa Holladay, global brand leader for The Ritz-Carlton, in a statement.The unique designed yachts will measure 190 meters, with 149 suites accommodating up to 298 passengers, which is more like superyacht than an actual cruise ship. Each stateroom has its own private terrace. The yachts will also feature two 158-square-meter penthouses, each with its own private whirlpool, modern craftsmanship and interior finishes jointly designed by The Ritz-Carlton and design firm Tillberg Design of Sweden. Prices have not yet been released.

Equanimity is 91.5-metre yacht built by Oceanco and delivered in 2014. Her owner is Malaysian financier, Jho Low. Previously, Equanimity was seized by the request of the US Government and then was in the spotlight of the US Government. Recently, an Indonesian court blocked U.S. efforts control a $250 million yacht connected to fraud scandal, on the basis that its arrest off the resort island of Bali was invalid and saying the vessel should be returned to its owner. The U.S. Justice Department contends that the Equanimity was acquired with money stolen in fraudulent schemes linked to the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd. The Indonesian judge said that the seizure of the yacht in Bali by Indonesian police acting at the request of U.S. authorities was “invalid and legally baseless.” The judge ruled the seizure was invalid on a technicality. He said the U.S. request didn’t follow a 2006 law on mutual legal assistance because it didn’t go to the Justice Ministry, but directly to police. The ruling can’t be appealed.Equanimity is owned by a trust that is controlled by a Malaysian financier, Jho Low, who the Justice Department alleges is a central player in a $4.5 billion fraud that involved siphoning money from 1MDB. The fund was set up by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2009 and is the focus of investigations in half a dozen countries. Both 1MDB and Mr. Najib have denied wrongdoing and said they would cooperate with any lawful international investigation. Multiple investigations in Malaysia into 1MDB closed without finding wrongdoing. Indonesian police said they accept the verdict and will soon turn over the 300-foot, Cayman Islands-flagged vessel to its owner, Equanimity (Cayman) Ltd. The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta referred queries to the Justice Department. The department didn’t respond to requests for comment. In a statement to Yacht Harbour, a spokeswoman for Equanimity's owner said:"Claimants, the owners of Equanimity, welcome the Indonesian court's ruling, which upholds the rule of law and confirms that the FBI-instigated seizure of the vessel was improper and unlawful. The incident is yet another example of the unjustified global overreach by the U.S. Government, which has gone to extreme and improper lengths to seize assets around the world while steadfastly avoiding having to prove that there are any merits to its case."Indonesian police came aboard the Equanimity in Bali on Feb. 28 after the vessel had cruised Southeast Asian waters for months. FBI agents and Indonesian police searched the vessel and its computers and interrogated crew members. The boat has stayed in Bali with a crew on board while the case moved through the courts. Lawyers for Equanimity (Cayman) Ltd. said that the seizure didn’t follow Indonesian law on providing mutual assistance to foreign law-enforcement agencies. The U.S. has sought via civil lawsuits in California, since mid-2016, to seize almost $2 billion in assets allegedly bought with money stolen from 1MDB, including mansions, a Bombardier jet and royalties from the film “The Wolf of Wall Street.” The Equanimity is the largest single asset. The U.S. has asserted in court filings that U.S. laws were broken in the larger 1MDB case, and that gives it rights to those assets. The Justice Department had hoped to quickly transport the boat to the U.S. to sell. In the U.S., the government has filed a civil asset forfeiture case against the Equanimity, which means that the asset cannot be sold until the case is resolved. To take possession of the boat, the government has to prove it was bought with stolen money. All asset forfeitures tied to the 1MDB case are technically on hold, because the government asked for a temporary stay on all 17 cases while it completes a parallel criminal investigation into 1MDB affair and all dealings related.

The 49-metre superyacht Flying Dagger was launched in Viareggio on April 21 by Rossinavi. Previously known as Project FR036, Flying Dagger was sold in May 2016. This aluminium motor yacht boasts interior and exterior design by Enrico Gobbi at Team For Design. The design focuses on minimizing noise emissions to give greater comfort during crusing and wide windows and skylights to allow natural light to flood into the interior and offer guests superb panoramic views.<iframe width="632" height="356" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hq64kID18Uk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>Guest accommodation is divided on two decks, with the full beam owner’s suite on the main deck forward, and 4 double suites located on the lower deck. As Flying Dagger was built for speed, she will reach a maximum speed of 27 knots, fitted with three 2,600hp MTU engines and three KaMeWa waterjets. With a cruising speed of 23 knots and her range will be 3,300 nautical miles at 12 knots. The aft tender garage is complemented by a foredeck Jet Ski locker.

Ironman is a 42-metre yacht from Fast 140 series, being the sixth model launched by Italian yard Benetti Yachts at their facilities in Viareggio. The yacht is built to RINA standards from GRP and carbon fibre, boasts exterior design by Stefano Righini and interior design by British studio RWD, with the naval architecture developed by the Azimut Benetti Research and Development centre and features a D2P - Displacement to Planing hull with wave piercer, designed by Pierluigi Ausonio.Large glass windows in the main deck saloon makes natural light flood in and makes interior bright, also providing great sea views. Main deck area is divided into zone for relaxing and for dining, with room for 12 guests around central table.On board, she accommodates up to 12 guests across a 6 cabins, including a master suite on the main deck, 2 VIP cabins and 2 twin cabins on the lower deck, as well as an additional VIP suite accessible via one of the twin cabins. Crew quarters is up to 7 people.Ironman is fitted with twin 3,650HP MTU diesel engines, reaching a top speed of 23 knots and cruising speed of 18 knots, and when switched back to economical speed of 12 knots, Ironman will have a range of 1,800 nautical miles, thanks to her fuel tanks of 35,000 litres.Earlier this month, Benetti Yachts launched two Fast 125 yachts My Way and Charade.

Founded by the GYA (Greek Yachting Association), the Mediterranean Yacht Show was set back in 2014. Now it's the 5th edition of the show and ever since its premiere, the show has taken place in the historic Greek town of Nafplio. The industry-only event, taking place from April 28th to May 1st, it brings together yachts, ranging from motor and sailing yachts to gulets and catamarans. This year’s charter fleet will consist of nearly 90 vessels, from small cruisers to large superyachts.Industry professionals are given the opportunity to meet the yacht crews, explore some new models and refits of the yacht already on the market. There will be a variety of networking events and social programme for show-goers, such as Chef’s Competition, where the region’s top yacht chefs will battle in front of judges. The Mediterranean Yacht Show shows the recovery of the Greek tourism industry. Now more than 100 superyachts and 300 visitors are expected to attend each year.Top 5 largest yachts attending the Mediterranean Yacht Show :1. Capri I (58.6 m, 2003, Lurssen, refit in 2012)Available for charter through Fraser Yachts starting from €280000 per week.2. O'Natalina (56 m, 1985, Pichiotti, refit in 2017)Available for charter through Atalanta Golden Yachts starting from €130000 per week. 3. Pegasus (53 m, 1995, Feadship, refit in 2009)Available for charter through Athens Yachts starting from €27850 per week.4. Marla (50 metre, 1999, Amels, refit in 2015)Available for charter through Seascape Yacht Charters from €185000 per week.5. Ouranos (50 m, 2016, Admiral Yachts)Available for charter through IYC from €210000 per week.The full list of yachts attending the show is here.