Yacht news

A 2012 Zeelander Z44 previously owned by Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima has undergone an extensive refit at the Dutch shipyard. The 13.52-meter yacht now features a full repaint in its original Rolls-Royce titanium color, rebuilt Volvo Penta IPS 600 engines, and refreshed upholstery. The vessel is currently available for immediate delivery through Zeelander Yachts.The refit process included stripping the hull to bare laminate before applying a new Awlgrip paint system with three base layers and clear coat. While the cherry wood interior and original cockpit table required only cleaning, exterior upholstery was replaced with diamond-stitched Silvertex fabric in ice white. The Volvo Penta IPS pods were fully overhauled despite having only 500 operating hours, restoring them to factory-new condition with a renewed warranty."Although we often talk about the extraordinary detailing on new Zeelander yachts, it’s less commonly known that we pour the same degree of attention and craftsmanship into our existing fleet as well," said Floris Koopmans, Zeelander's business development manager. "The refit of our Z44 from 2012 is a testament to both the longevity of our timeless designs and the skill of our team when it comes to revitalising a much-loved yacht."The Z44 model has been discontinued, with Zeelander's current lineup consisting of four models ranging from 15 to 24 meters. The refurbished yacht represents one of the last opportunities to acquire this out-of-production design in like-new condition.Zeelander Yachts was founded in 2002 in the Netherlands by Sietse Koopmans. The first model was unveiled to the public in 2008. The launch model Z44 received positive reviews at the Monaco Yacht Show and drew enormous crowds, despite being at an event dominated by much larger yachts. Within three years, the Z44 had been successfully introduced to the US as well as Europe, and it was an obvious direction to add a larger model to the fleet. The first Z55 was delivered in November 2015, and the flagship Z72 was launched in March 2019.Credit: Zeelander Yachts

Ferretti Group will present seven yachts at the sixth Venice Boat Show, running from May 29 to June 2, including two world premieres: the Pershing GTX70 and Ferretti Yachts 940. The event takes place in Venice’s historic Arsenale district.The Pershing GTX70, launched in March, marks the third model in the brand’s Sport Utility Yachts series and coincides with Pershing’s 40th anniversary. The 70-foot yacht retains the sporty design and spacious layout of its predecessors in a more compact form.Ferretti Yachts 940The Ferretti Yachts 940, unveiled in January at the Cattolica shipyard, makes its public debut at the show. As the largest model in the Ferretti Yachts range, the 94-foot widebody emphasizes interior space and cruising comfort.Five additional models from Ferretti Group brands will be displayed: the Riva Dolceriva, Riva 68’ Diable, Itama 45RS, Pershing 8X, and Wallywhy100.Pershing GTX70The Group has partnered with luxury brands for the event, including Dolce & Gabbana, which designed staff uniforms. Hotel Gritti Palace hosts the Riva Lounge, while Lavazza, Range Rover, La Scolca, Aperol, Seabob, Frette, Lanerossi, Zimmer + Rohde, Atelier Rebul, Venini, and Zanta contribute to the exhibition’s amenities. Additional partners include Bang & Olufsen, Flexjet, and Torello.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group

U-Boat Worx has launched its Wet Lease program, a comprehensive solution enabling commercial operators to offer submarine experiences without owning or operating the equipment themselves. The Dutch submersible manufacturer, active since 2005, aims to expand access to deep-sea exploration through this managed service model.The program addresses key barriers to underwater tourism by handling all operational aspects, including vessel provision, crew, maintenance, permitting, and dive logistics. Operators only need to supply passengers, while U-Boat Worx manages the entire diving experience. Available submarines accommodate 2 to 7 passengers."This model removes concerns about recruitment, training, maintenance, and regulations," said Wilbert Beilsma, Commercial Director at U-Boat Worx. "Operators bring guests; we handle everything else."With over 60 submarines in service and 10,000+ commercial dives completed, U-Boat Worx has established itself as a leader in private submersible operations. The company reports growing demand for unique underwater experiences in luxury travel, marine tourism, and conservation sectors.The Wet Lease program follows successful pilot operations and complements existing financial models: outright purchase, financial lease, operational lease, and fractional ownership. This expansion positions U-Boat Worx not just as a manufacturer but as an operational partner for commercial users."Submarine dives represent a distinctive, bucket-list experience that differentiates destinations," noted Roy Heijdra, Marketing Manager. "They generate significant marketing value through guest engagement and word-of-mouth promotion."The initiative comes as experiential travel continues gaining market share globally. By simplifying access to deep-sea exploration, U-Boat Worx aims to make underwater adventures available to a broader audience while supporting marine tourism development. The company's submersibles have previously been used for scientific research, film production, and private exploration in addition to commercial operations.Operators in resort, cruise, yacht charter, and ecotourism sectors are identified as potential adopters of the Wet Lease model. The program's scalability allows for implementation in various marine environments worldwide, subject to local regulatory approvals. U-Boat Worx maintains all necessary international certifications for its vessels and crew.This development reflects broader trends in the luxury experience market, where operators increasingly seek turnkey solutions to differentiate their offerings. The submarine experience market has grown steadily since 2010, with particular interest from Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern markets in recent years.U-Boat Worx continues to develop new submersible models alongside its service offerings, with recent additions focusing on improved viewing capabilities and enhanced passenger comfort. The company maintains production facilities in the Netherlands and operates globally through regional partners.Credits: U-Boat Worx

Benetti has launched the 50-meter custom superyacht FB615, a fully personalized vessel from its B.Now 50M series featuring the Oasis Deck® design. The yacht was developed in collaboration with British design studio RWD, marking their first complete exterior and interior design partnership for the B.Now line.FB615 was designed around the owner’s specific lifestyle and preferences, with Burgess acting as the client’s representative. "Together with RWD, whose deep understanding of the B.Now philosophy made them the ideal partner for this project, including the interior design, we crafted a yacht that not only meets but exceeds the Owner’s expectations, the result of close teamwork carried out in collaboration with Burgess as the client’s representative," said Daniela Petrozzi, Benetti Sales Director.Barry Gray, Technical Representative at Burgess, added: "The enormous success of the B.Now series reflects how this RWD design exceptionally delivers on the desires and needs of today’s modern yacht buyer. It has been a pleasure to work with our discerning client and the inimitable Italian powerhouse Benetti."The interior design process began two years ago, with RWD creating adaptable spaces that balance functionality and personal expression. The main deck integrates seamlessly with the Oasis Deck®, pool, and fold-down terraces, enhancing the connection between indoor and outdoor areas.Amy Whitaker, lead designer at RWD, stated: "Working on the interiors of FB615 has been an exciting journey. The synergy we created with the clients and Benetti enabled us to develop a unique interior that is a canvas designed to evolve over time with artwork and decorative objet."FB615 is scheduled for delivery this summer. The project reinforces Benetti’s position in the custom superyacht market, emphasizing tailored design for owners seeking fully personalized vessels.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: Benetti

Van der Valk has launched its 35-meter aluminum superyacht Lalabe, previously known as Project Samba, ahead of its scheduled delivery this summer. The vessel entered the water in late May 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of the Cannes Film Festival, and will undergo final outfitting and sea trials before its official debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.Lalabe represents a fully custom design based on the naval architecture of the award-winning Lady Lene, adapted with a fast-displacement hull capable of 17 knots. The exterior and interior were developed by designer Guido de Groot in collaboration with the owners, who were closely involved throughout the build process. The yacht emphasizes indoor-outdoor living, featuring sliding doors that open the bridge deck saloon on three sides and an aft cockpit designed as a beach club with a sauna, steam room, and fold-down swim platform."The yacht exemplifies Van der Valk's approach – combining Dutch craftsmanship with fully bespoke design," said Yoeri Bijker, Van der Valk's sales director. "This isn't a semi-custom project; every detail was tailored to the owners' requirements."The Cannes Yachting Festival, held in September, will mark Lalabe's first public appearance. The event, which includes in-water displays and exhibitions across Cannes' ports, serves as a key platform for yacht builders to showcase new models. Van der Valk's participation underscores the company's focus on the custom superyacht market, with Lalabe positioned as a highlight of the show.The yacht's layout prioritizes multi-generational family use, incorporating residential-style amenities such as an expansive laundry facility and flexible deck spaces. Its design follows the success of previous Van der Valk models, reinforcing the brand's reputation for high-performance, custom-built aluminum yachts.The Cannes Yachting Festival attracts a global audience of yacht owners, brokers, and industry professionals, making it an ideal venue for Lalabe's premiere. The event runs from September 10-15, 2025, in Cannes, France.Van der Valk is a family-run company building comfortable, innovative and efficient (semi) custom motor yachts from 18m to 45m. From its humble roots in the 1960s, Van der Valk today has a global fleet of over 1000 motor yachts. Credits: Van der Valk