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 Italian Sea Group has launched the 72-meter Admiral Armani megayacht, marking the first vessel designed in collaboration with Giorgio Armani. The ceremony took place at the company's Marina di Carrara facility, attended by representatives from the Armani Group, local authorities, and project team members.This yacht represents the first of two projects fully designed by Giorgio Armani, featuring distinctive exterior styling and interior design by Armani/Casa. The collaboration with The Italian Sea Group's Centro Stile combines minimalist aesthetics with advanced naval engineering.Key design elements include geometric volumes with curved surfaces, satin aluminum and steel detailing, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. The upper decks incorporate open-air lounges and a helicopter landing area. Interior materials feature Black Marquinia marble, golden Calacatta, and Canaletto walnut, complemented by custom lighting and fabrics."This yacht represents the confluence of Giorgio Armani's poetic elegance and The Italian Sea Group's technical excellence," said Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group.The Admiral Armani 72m will make its official debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2025. The vessel measures 72 meters in length and represents a new direction in luxury yacht design through the Armani collaboration. Technical specifications and performance details were not disclosed in the announcement.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
May 7, 2025
Silent Yachts has announced its 24-meter flagship solar-electric catamaran, the SY80, is approaching completion. The Italian builder recently launched two SY62 3-Deck Open models and one SY62 3-Deck Closed variant from its Fano shipyard as part of its plan to deliver 10 yachts in 2025.The SY80 will be available in three customizable configurations: 2-Deck, 3-Deck Open, and 3-Deck Closed. The model retains the sustainable features of Silent Yachts' smaller vessels while offering increased volume, accommodating up to 12 guests. Key features include an open layout, spacious staterooms, and ample storage for water toys."We can accommodate a very high number of different configurations, making the yacht of your dreams into a lived reality," said Silent Yachts CEO Fabrizio Iarrera. Owners can opt for an on-deck master suite or an open-plan salon with the master cabin below deck.Performance specifications include a top speed of 12 knots, cruising speeds of 7-8 knots, and battery capacities of 522 kWh or 696 kWh. The solar array peaks at 22.4 kWp, supporting near-zero-emission operation.The SY80 2-Deck variant will debut at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival (September 9-14), with sea trials expected in the coming weeks.Silent-Yachts is producing the world’s first fully solar-sustainable oceangoing production catamaran yachts. They are powered exclusively by solar energy and capable of cruising up to 100 miles per day. In 2009, founders Heike and Michael Köhler, who have spent 6,000 days cruising more than 75,000 miles all around the world, launched the Solarwave 46, the first fully self-sufficient blue-water catamaran after years of testing solar-powered propulsion, and they have been building boats ever since. Credits: Silent-Yachts
May 7, 2025
The 52-meter sportfisher Special One, built by Royal Huisman with design by Vripack, has received the Judges' Special Award at the 20th World Superyacht Awards in Venice. The yacht competed in the Best Motor Yacht – Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts 50m+ category.Judges described Special One as "spectacularly different," with one noting: "She is truly special! This yacht is so unusual, so different and so successfully done." The award recognizes the vessel's unique combination of sportfishing capabilities and luxury amenities.Vripack's co-creative director Bart Bouwhuis commented: "The owner's desire to build one of the coolest and challenging boats to ever hit water was unwavering from the outset." The design maintains traditional American sportfisher proportions while incorporating innovative features like a 28m² fish cockpit, DJ station, and cinema with rising projector screen.Interior highlights include walnut and oak finishes, a 237-piece parquet dining floor, and a sky lounge with custom blue glass chandelier. Technical innovations include laser-powered fiberglass exterior lighting.The World Superyacht Awards ceremony took place in May 2025, honoring exceptional vessels in the global luxury yacht market. Special One represents Royal Huisman's first sportfisher project and Vripack's largest motor yacht design to date.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.Credit: Guillaume Plisson, all provided by Vripack
May 7, 2025
The upcoming South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show 2025 at Ocean Village Marina in Southampton will showcase several world and UK premieres from leading marine manufacturers. The event, scheduled for May 9-11, will highlight new models across both power and sail categories with a focus on innovation and sustainable technologies.Among the notable debuts, Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding will present the Hardy 45 European, making its world premiere. The 45-foot vessel combines offshore capabilities with inland waterway navigation, powered by twin Yanmar 440hp engines reaching speeds up to 28 knots. Dave Cockwell, Founder and Sales Director, stated: "Our all-new Hardy 45 European provides an extraordinarily luxurious and secure environment for ocean crossings and long-distance cruising."Hardy 45The show will introduce four models to the UK market for the first time, including the BENTE28 sailing yacht with its distinctive IMOCA-style dodger, the high-speed Delta 33 Coupé from Sweden, the modular Axopar 29 Sun Top adventure boat, and the versatile Saxdor 340 GTWA walkaround cruiser.Hanse 360Additional show debuts will feature the award-winning Hanse 360 sailing yacht, recently named European Yacht of the Year 2025, alongside the FJORD 39 XL powerboat and the Absolute 47 Fly flybridge cruiser. The Hanse 360 offers an optional sustainable sail package using recycled materials.Absolute 47 FlyTim Mayer, Sales and Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, commented: "Each year the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show grows in scale and significance." The event will display over 90 boats both in-water and shoreside at the Harbour Hotel Southampton location.Credits: South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show
May 6, 2025
Benetti has launched FB287, a fully customized 67-meter steel yacht from its B.Now series featuring the Oasis Deck® design. The vessel represents Benetti's steel-hulled superyacht expertise, with exterior design by RWD and interiors by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. Engage Maritime served as owner's representative throughout the project."The launch of FB287 demonstrates the capabilities of the Benetti shipyard and the possibilities for clients to realize their ultimate expression of the yachting lifestyle," said Daniela Petrozzi, Benetti Sales Director.Key customizations include a rectangular elevator, marble guest staircase with glass balustrade, widened corridors, and multiple pool areas - an infinity pool on the Oasis Deck®, a spa pool on the observation deck, and a reflecting pool with waterfall effect on the owner's deck. The yacht features a lower-deck spa complex with sauna and steam room, a main deck saloon with grand piano, and an entire upper deck dedicated to the owner's private use.Originally conceived with light beach house interiors, FB287's owner requested a darker, richer aesthetic inspired by Gatsby-era styling. The final design incorporates woods like sycamore, ebony, and macassar, along with specialty marbles and metal detailing. Despite the dramatic style change from initial concepts, the design maintains seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces through coordinated material selections.Following launch, FB287 will undergo sea trials before scheduled delivery this summer. The project marks Benetti's successful adaptation of its B.Now platform to meet specific owner requirements while maintaining the series' signature indoor-outdoor living philosophy.Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. Benetti designs, builds and sells composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminum boats from 37 to over 100m. The fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom to meet all the needs of the market. Benetti belongs to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Giuliano Sargentini/Benetti
May 6, 2025