Italian yard Benetti has delivered the 63-metre superyacht Metis to a German owner. Construction of this steel and aluminium superyacht, first known as Project Balance, started on speculation in 2016, at the builder’s Livorno facility. In 2017, Metis was sold through Yacht Moments, who has also overseen project management.
The modern exterior design of Metis, highlighted with a long vertical bow, has been developed by Giorgio M Casetta, while London-based studio Bannenberg & Rowell and Birgit Otte Interior Design were responsible for her innovative interiors.
With her gross tonnage of 1,190 GT, the fully custom yacht hosts 4 decks with guest accommodation on the lower deck and the main deck. The 162-square-metre master suite is located on the main deck and disposes of his and hers bathrooms, walk-in closet, office space and a large double bed. There is also a balcony that can be deployed on the port side of the cabin for the owner. In total, the superyacht can accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 cabins, as well as a crew of 13 in 9 cabins.
One of the vessel’s highlights is definitely her extensive superyacht beach club, featuring foldable sections on both sides and at the stern, creating strong sense of the interaction with the sea. Another key point, the main deck saloon, has an open plan layout, with the lounge flowing seamlessly into the dining area. Innovatively, both of these areas and the lounge area on the upper deck skew at a 30 degree angle, offering unusual vantage points for unhindered sea views.
Director of Bannenberg & Rowell, Dickie Bannenberg, shares his opinion:
Metis' unique layout has freed us from what I call 'the tyranny of alignment', allowing us to unlock new corners and views of asymmetric designs. This approach in particular is reflected in the beach club.
Thanks to the asymmetric layout, space for a children's playroom and nanny suite was found on the main deck. As to the crew of 12, that can be housed lower deck. A captain's cabin lays aft of the helm station on the bridge deck. The latter also offers a sun deck with dining table, bar, hot tub and sun pads.
Other alluring amenities of Metis include a 55-square-metre bow deck terrace with touch-and-go helipad on the bow. Meanwhile, her overall interior design is described as modern with materials including bleached oak, carbon fibre and leather.
Twin MTU 12V4000M53 propel Metis for a top speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots under a range of 5,000 nautical miles.
This delivery comes right along with the recent double success of Benetti, with the deliveries of the 29-metre Baya and 35.5-metre Good Day, not to mention the triple gigayachts launch, with three 100-metre plus superyachts presented by the builder within 100 days.
The 38.6-meter motor yacht Areti I has changed ownership in a transaction brokered by IYC and Hamilton Marine International. Michael Rafferty and Dimitri Blaimer of IYC represented the buyer, while David Ross of Hamilton Marine acted for the seller.Built in 2007 by U.S. shipyard Burger, the aluminum-hulled vessel was designed by longtime Burger naval architect Don O'Keeffe. The yacht had one owner since delivery and never entered charter service.Areti I accommodates 10 guests across five cabins, including a full-beam master suite on the main deck. Crew quarters house up to eight staff. Douglas Richey designed the interior featuring wood paneling and neutral-toned furnishings.Recent updates include a 2024 refit and full repaint at Rybovich in North Palm Beach. The yacht carries ABS classification and MCA compliance.Powered by twin 1,300hp Caterpillar engines, Areti I achieves 14.5-knot top speed with 5,500-nautical-mile range at 10 knots. The vessel was listed at $9.95 million prior to sale.The transaction demonstrates continued market activity for well-maintained American-built superyachts in the 35-40 meter range. Burger's aluminum construction and single-owner history likely contributed to the yacht's market appeal.Credits: Hamilton Marine International
August 18, 2025
Horizon Group has completed installation of a new 1,800-ton shiplift system at its Premier Shipyard facility in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The 60-meter by 13.7-meter Pearlson Shiplift System represents a two-year development project, expanding the yard's capacity to service superyachts exceeding 70 meters in length.The 24,000-square-meter shipyard occupies 200 meters of waterfront at Taiwan's largest commercial port. The new infrastructure strengthens Premier's position in the Asian refit market, where it has previously serviced vessels up to 69 meters from builders including Feadship and Riva.John Lu, Horizon Group CEO, stated: "The shiplift provides our shipyard with vastly increased capabilities and capacity, helping to fulfill unprecedented demand for global superyacht owners." The yard maintains certifications from classification societies including Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's Register, RINA and DNV.The installation follows Horizon's ongoing investment in service infrastructure, complementing its core yacht construction business. The Taiwanese facility becomes one of few Asian yards capable of handling large superyacht refits with its new lifting system.Premier Shipyard has serviced over 30 yachts since establishing its refit operations. The shiplift project aligns with growing demand for maintenance facilities in Asia as the regional superyacht fleet expands. Horizon continues production at its main yacht-building facilities while expanding aftermarket services through the Kaohsiung location.The completed shiplift enters service immediately, with the yard prepared to accommodate vessels for scheduled winter maintenance work. Horizon confirms the facility will participate in upcoming regional boat shows to demonstrate its enhanced capabilities to potential clients.Horizon Yachts, the subsidiary company of Horizon Group, was co-founded in 1987 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Since then, Horizon has become the leading Asian yacht brand in the luxury yacht market.Credits: Horizon Yachts
August 18, 2025
Dutch yacht builder Heesen Yachts has appointed Jeroen van der Meer as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 2025. The leadership change follows the shipyard's recent acquisition by owner Laurens Last.Van der Meer replaces Niels Vaessen, who departs after thirteen years with the company, including service as both CFO and CEO. The new CEO holds a mechanical engineering degree and MBA from Eindhoven University, with professional experience focused on manufacturing optimization and strategic restructuring.Laurens Last stated: "Our goal is to build upon Heesen's legendary status by focusing relentlessly on quality, innovation, and the client experience. Jeroen's appointment is a strategic move to accelerate this vision." The owner emphasized plans to enhance production processes and invest in sustainable technologies under the new leadership.Vaessen commented: "I have an immense respect for the craftspeople and colleagues at Heesen, and I am grateful for my long service. I have full confidence in the shipyard's continued success."Van der Meer outlined his priorities: "My focus will be on harnessing the incredible talent within the company. By optimizing our processes and integrating advanced systems, we will empower our people to build the most innovative and reliable yachts." He emphasized strengthening client relationships and after-sales support.The leadership transition comes as Heesen prepares for the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2025, where executives will meet with clients and partners. The shipyard continues production at its Oss facility, maintaining its focus on aluminum and steel superyacht construction.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Heesen Yachts
August 18, 2025
The 100.8-meter Kusch Yachts superyacht I Dynasty has been listed for sale with Merle A. Wood of Merle Wood & Associates and James Auld of SuperYachtsMonaco, with an asking price of €240,000,000. This places her as the fourth most expensive superyacht currently on the market.Built in Germany and delivered in July 2015, I Dynasty is the second-largest vessel from Kusch Yachts and the yard’s most recent delivery. The project was overseen by Vega Yachts, with The A Group’s Richard Hein responsible for exterior design and naval architecture. She was among the first superyachts to be fully certified to Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) standards.Her interior, designed by Massari Design, accommodates up to 34 guests in 12 cabins, plus four staff in three cabins and 36 crew in 19 cabins. Under PYC certification, she can carry up to 36 guests. The main deck hosts the owner’s suite, which includes separate his and hers marble en suites, while two master VIP suites are located on the bridge deck.With an interior volume of 4,437GT, I Dynasty offers a variety of amenities, including a bridge deck cinema, beach club, sauna, hair salon, massage room, hammam, gym, and a dive centre. Notable design features include an open staircase, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a mix of classical and modern finishes, including warm woods, marble pillars, and glass “shark fins” acting as windbreakers.The yacht’s exterior spaces include multiple dining areas, a covered cinema, several pools, and a float-in tender garage that can be converted into a saltwater pool. She carries a range of tenders and water toys, including a Riva 33 Aquariva and a 9.6-metre Pascoe Limousine.Powered by a diesel-electric system with twin Rolls-Royce Bergen main engines and triple Caterpillar C32 auxiliary engines, I Dynasty has a top speed of 17 knots, a cruising speed of 14 knots, and a range of 7,000 nautical miles.She recently completed her Lloyd’s 10-year Special Survey in June 2025 and will be available for inspection by appointment during the Monaco Yacht Show.Credits: Merle Wood & Associates
August 15, 2025
The first unit from the Lazzara UHV 100 series has had its asking price reduced by €1,005,000. Represented for sale by Josh Gulbranson of Fraser and Richard Higgins of Northrop & Johnson, the 30.5-metre motor yacht is currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2026.Designed entirely in-house by Turkish shipyard Lazzara, the model has a reported gross tonnage of 222GT, which the builder claims is the largest in its class. The yacht is being built using a full epoxy construction with e-glass, a closed-cell aviation core, and no gelcoat or wood.Accommodation will be for up to 10 guests in five cabins, including a main-deck owner’s suite with private seating and en suite, and four guest cabins on the lower deck in a mix of queen and twin arrangements. Crew quarters will accommodate five.The interior is designed with multiple floor-to-ceiling windows and 2,800 square feet of living space, including a main deck lounge and dining area for 10, and a full-beam skylounge with a bar and lounge seating.Outdoor areas will include a beach club with a submersible swim platform, a foredeck lounge with a Jacuzzi, and alfresco dining and seating on both the main and upper aft decks.Powered by Volvo Penta engines, the yacht is expected to have a cruising speed of 12 knots and a maximum speed of 16 knots. She will also be equipped with CMC electric fin stabilisation and hydraulic bow and stern thrusters. Principal dimensions include a beam of 7.4 metres and a draft of 1.8 metres.The Lazzara UHV 100 is now listed for sale at €13,495,000.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
August 15, 2025