The Italian Sea Group celebrated the launch of M/Y Raja², a stunning 55-meter aluminum Admiral superyacht from the acclaimed S-Force line. The launch ceremony was held at the group's headquarters in Marina di Carrara, attended by the vessel's owner, local authorities, and the leadership team responsible for making this groundbreaking project a reality.
Boasting a beam of 8.6 meters and a gross tonnage of 499 GT, Raja² scheduled for delivery in the spring of this year, the yacht promises to deliver an unrivaled maritime experience.
Gianmaria Costantino, Chief Commercial Officer of The Italian Sea Group, highlighted the yacht's unique attributes: “M/Y Raja² embodies a perfect blend of boldness and sophistication, merging exquisite materials and harmonious contrasts to create a truly exclusive experience. Each element is carefully crafted to ensure not only beauty but also optimal comfort and functionality."
Designed entirely by The Italian Sea Group's in-house Style Center and managed by IYC and Med Waves Charters, Raja² is poised to become a sought-after addition to the global fleet of luxury charters.
Gianmaria Costantino, Chief Commercial Officer of The Italian Sea Group
Michel Chryssicopoulos, Global Managing Partner at IYC, expressed his enthusiasm: "It is incredibly exciting to witness this remarkable project come to fruition. The combination of Raja²'s extraordinary interiors and striking exterior lines makes her a true head-turner. We wish her new owners many memorable experiences aboard this magnificent vessel."
Xenia Tsipidou, Head of Charter Management Greece at IYC, added: "We are thrilled to include Raja² in our Charter Management Fleet based in Athens. Her unique qualities will undoubtedly make her a superstar in the charter market, providing unforgettable moments for both owners and charter guests."
Vasilis Petropoulos, broker at Med Waves Charters & Sales, praised the team's efforts: "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to The Italian Sea Group for their outstanding work, unwavering professionalism, meticulous attention to detail, and passionate dedication in bringing M/Y Raja² to life."
Raja² features fluid and powerful exterior lines, characterized by a sleek, dynamic profile that marries sophistication with a sporty edge. Expansive glass surfaces along the superstructure allow abundant natural light, fostering a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces. The sharp, modern bow exudes strength and presence, while the innovative open stern provides ample relaxation areas with easy water access.
The sundeck and upper decks flow smoothly within the yacht's silhouette, preserving clean, unbroken lines that accentuate its contemporary appeal. Generous outdoor spaces, including two aft decks with dining and lounging areas, invite relaxation and socializing. The sundeck is equipped with a hot tub and numerous sunbathing spots, while the upper deck houses a spacious circular lounge that doubles as a touch-and-go helipad for convenient access. An expansive garage accommodates an 8-meter tender and various water toys, completing the ultimate yachting experience.
The interior of Raja² strikes a balance between maximalism and understated elegance, creating a distinctive ambiance that fuses grandeur with refinement. Bold design choices give each space its own unique identity, while maintaining a consistent theme of unexpected twists and turns, infusing the yacht with energy and vitality.
Luxurious marble surfaces adorned with intricate three-dimensional detailing, mouldings, and decorative frames combine modernity with classical touches, contributing to the dualistic nature of the project. Contrasts between Black Marquina and Calacatta Gold marble, as well as White Carrara and rich brown Port Saint Laurent, further enhance this interplay. Glossy Canaletto walnut and sandblasted or bleached Dark Chocolate oak complement the wood finishes, while soft, natural-toned leathers and pops of vibrant colors like burnt orange and deep wine red round out the palette.
Mirrored surfaces, strategically positioned per the owner's request, reflect light and water, expanding the sense of space and connecting the interior with the surrounding sea.
Beyond its aesthetic prowess, Raja² incorporates state-of-the-art technology and high-performance capabilities. Propelled by twin CAT C32 Acert engines, she achieves a top speed of 18 knots and a cruising speed of 16.5 knots, with a range of 3,500 nautical miles at 10 knots. Six guest cabins accommodate up to 12 passengers, while six crew cabins house up to 11 crew members.
The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters.
Credit: Giuliano Sargentini /The Italian Sea Group
The 70-meter sailing superyacht SY Zero, the world’s first designed to operate entirely without fossil fuels, is approaching the final stages of construction, with an expected launch by the end of 2025. The project, a collaboration between Vripack Yacht Design, Vitters Shipyard, and Dykstra Naval Architects, represents a significant step in sustainable yacht development, backed by over 60,000 hours of research and innovation.SY Zero is engineered to rely solely on wind, solar, and thermal energy while maintaining the performance and luxury standards of a traditional superyacht. The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of eliminating fossil fuel dependency in high-end yachting. All technical data, system designs, and research findings will be made publicly available through FoundationZero.org, providing open access to sustainable maritime innovations for designers, engineers, and researchers.The yacht’s energy system is entirely electric, powered by a five-megawatt-hour battery storage system—equivalent to the capacity of 88 Tesla vehicles. Renewable energy is harvested through multiple methods: hydro-generating thrusters capture energy from water flow while under sail, a 100-square-meter hybrid solar panel array converts both light and heat at 60% efficiency, and a wind turbine supplements power generation using offshore airflow.Marnix Hoekstra, co-creative director at Vripack, stated: “This project has always been about showing what’s possible. We wanted to demonstrate that comfort, design, and performance can coexist with fossil-free operation. The project has been driven by data, testing, and a long-term commitment to sustainable naval design. Our goal wasn’t just to prove that a fossil-free superyacht is viable—it was to create a real-world model others can learn from.”Vitters Shipyard, known for high-performance sailing yachts, led the construction. Louis Hamming from Vitters commented: “From the outset, this has been about building a yacht that reflects a future we all recognize is coming. It’s a privilege to help bring that future into reality.”The interior accommodates up to 12 guests, featuring sustainable materials such as pine-based leather and leathered marble, which retains natural imperfections. Each cabin draws inspiration from a global destination, with bespoke artworks crafted by local artisans.Following its technical launch, SY Zero will undergo extensive sea trials to test its advanced systems, including proprietary software managing onboard operations. Delivery is expected in 2026, seven years after the project’s inception.Eduard van Benthem, Executive Director at Foundation Zero, emphasized the broader mission: “The project isn’t about showing how good we are, nor even specifically about the yacht itself. We are really trying to showcase how we can do things better and inspire others to join us on the journey, to learn together and to share the knowledge, which is the fundamental aim of Foundation Zero in all its projects.”Beyond private use and limited charter opportunities, SY Zero will serve as a research platform for marine renewable energy and ocean sustainability studies, furthering its role in advancing eco-conscious yachting.Vitters Shipyard is a Dutch high-end performance yacht builder. The shipyard was founded in 1990 by Jan Vitters. The company delivered the first luxury sailing boat, the 28m Aphrodite, in 1993. Vitters Shipyard has a crew of dedicated engineers and craftspeople who have a strong eye for detail and the passion to exceed the expectations of its yacht owners.Credits: Vripack
July 17, 2025
GX Superyachts has provided a progress update on its 42-meter flagship model, the GX42, currently under construction at SES Yachts' facility in Istanbul. The project remains on schedule for delivery in summer 2026, with several major construction phases now completed.The aluminum hull and superstructure are fully assembled, marking the transition to the outfitting stage. Thermal insulation and main piping systems are 80% installed, while electrical work has reached 25% completion. Approximately half of the paintwork has been applied.The hybrid propulsion system, combining diesel-electric drive with solar power generation, has passed factory testing and is ready for installation. Interior furniture, designed by Marco Casali, is 50% complete in workshop production.Vladimir Zinchenko, founder and CEO of GX Superyachts, stated: "It's inspiring to witness the GX42 taking shape so smoothly. Each milestone reinforces our belief that the GX42 will set a new benchmark in responsible yachting — a vessel that delivers both elegant design and low-impact cruising. Thanks to our partners at SES Yachts, Andrea Armas, Marco Casali and Francesco Rogantin, the project is running smoothly and exceeding expectations."The interior design emphasizes family-friendly spaces with a raised pilothouse layout that includes a main-deck owner's suite and full-beam VIP cabin. Natural materials and subdued color schemes reflect the yacht's focus on sustainable luxury.Upcoming work includes finalizing insulation and piping systems, progressing electrical installations, and integrating the hybrid propulsion package. Sea trials are planned for early 2026.Andrea Armas, consultant to GX Superyachts' Board of Directors, noted: "We are pushing the boundary of responsible yachting navigating through a new era of technological advancement, tailoring the dream of Yacht owners into a sustainable reality."Credits: GX Superyachts
July 17, 2025
Camper & Nicholsons has confirmed the sale of the 50.58m schooner Borkumriff IV, built by Royal Huisman in 2002. The sale was managed by Senior Sales Broker Arne Ploch. The yacht accommodates six guests in three cabins and has space for nine crew members.Inspired by traditional Newfoundland schooners, Borkumriff IV has a total length of 50.58 meters, including the bowsprit, and a sail area of 1,164 sq. m. The exterior was designed by John G. Alden’s office, with naval architecture by Dykstra. The interior, crafted by John Munford, features mahogany wood paneling and custom furniture, contrasting with lighter ceilings and floors.The yacht includes a main deck saloon and dining area, with accommodation on the lower deck. The full-beam master suite has a separate study, while two twin guest cabins are located midship. All cabins are en suite. Crew quarters are spacious, with a large galley.Borkumriff IV carries two tenders on its teak decks and features two cannons, used for ceremonial flag-lowering at sunset.Royal Huisman is a Dutch shipyard established in 1884 in Ronduite, building and refitting custom luxury sailing and motor yachts at its shipyard in Vollenhove, the Netherlands.Credits: Yacht Harbour archive
July 17, 2025
Turkish builder ART Shipyard, part of Besiktas Group, will unveil its first superyacht – the 35-meter Bee Explorer – at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 9-14. The steel-hulled explorer with aluminum superstructure was designed by Hydro Tec to stay under 300GT while offering a 4,000-nautical-mile range at 10 knots. Ocean Independence serves as worldwide central agent for the €15.25 million vessel, which is available for immediate delivery.Sergio Cutolo of Hydro Tec explained the design rationale: "The 7.7-meter beam provides additional fuel capacity without significant efficiency loss, allowing owners to take advantage of regional fuel price variations." The naval architecture prioritizes seakeeping and fuel economy, with computational fluid dynamics used to optimize the hull form.Michele Dragoni's interior design blends explorer yacht robustness with contemporary styling. Horizontal dark lacquer frames contrast with bleached oak paneling in the main saloon, while curved bulkheads and strategic window placement maximize natural light. The upper lounge features a ceiling-mounted TV lift and lowered cabinetry to create a more relaxed atmosphere.Measuring 35 meters LOA with 2.2-meter draft, the Bee Explorer will be displayed in Port Canto during the festival. The yacht represents ART Shipyard's entry into the competitive sub-40-meter explorer market, leveraging Besiktas Group's commercial shipbuilding experience. The Cannes presentation follows successful sea trials in Turkish waters. Prospective owners can inspect the yacht throughout the six-day show before its scheduled autumn handover to its first owner. Credits: Ocean Independence
July 16, 2025
Italian shipyard Tankoa Yachts has strengthened its leadership team with two strategic appointments as part of its expansion strategy. Isabella Picco joins as Head of Marketing & Communication, bringing extensive experience in the luxury yachting sector. "I look forward to helping guide the shipyard while maintaining its core values," Picco stated.Isabella PiccoGuido Orsi, a long-standing executive at Tankoa since its founding, has been promoted to Vice President. In his new role, Orsi will oversee sustainability initiatives, technological development, and international growth. "Tankoa combines tradition, innovation and family values," Orsi commented regarding his appointment.Guido OrsiThe Genoa-based shipyard, specializing in custom superyacht construction between 50-80 meters, continues to expand its production facilities and workforce. These leadership changes follow Tankoa's recent delivery of the 50-meter Bintador and ongoing construction of multiple projects at its Genoa shipyard.No specific details were provided regarding new projects or production site expansions mentioned in the broader growth plan. Tankoa currently has three superyachts under construction, with deliveries scheduled through 2026. The shipyard maintains its focus on semi-custom and full-custom builds, competing in the 500-1,500GT market segment.Tankoa was founded in 2007 and began production in 2008. A true “boutique shipyard”, focused on building semi-custom and custom constructions 45-meter and up.Credits: Tankoa
July 16, 2025