Heesen is planning to begin new year with the same momentum of 2018, as they launched 55-meter Project Antares on 4th of January, as a 55m Steel class featuring a FDHF (fast displacement hull form) hull. Project Antares is the first of five yachts scheduled for launch in 2019 and part of a fleet of 13 yachts currently under construction at Heesen’s shipyard in Oss, The Netherlands. Their very busy order book includes the yard's largest project to date - 80-metre Project Cosmos, which boasts an innovative naval architecture and will be built from all-aliminium to achieve a top speed close to 30 knots.
“In 2018 the market in our core segments grew slightly, which is a good sign for us, and last year was a very good year,” comments Arthur Brouwer, CEO of Heesen. “We see a stable and slowly growing number of serious customers and our expectation for 2019 is that it will continue to grow. The biggest market,” Brouwer continues, “is the 40m to 60m bracket and we are still active there. However, Heesen has made a strategic move into the spec build 50m to 60m bracket and we see that segment as a core market for us with the best potential, alongside the full custom 60m to 80m bracket.”
Such positive signs for the market in general and for Heesen in particular come off the back of a successful final quarter for the yard in 2018, during which time it announced a number of exciting new offerings including a 57m explorer – the first such yacht to be offered by Heesen in its 41-year history.
“I think our explorer yacht concept could be very interesting for the next generation of yacht owners,” says Mark Cavendish, Heesen’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “I understand that the children of today’s UHNWIs are quite interested in the concept of going off on longer voyages; carrying a large number of toys with them so they can go exploring, or perhaps for example heli-skiing in the Arctic or Antarctic – all those kinds of projects that the average yacht isn’t really set up for. I think the explorer concept is great for the future.”
That future also includes a strategy to continue to develop yachts that push through the 500GT regulatory boundary. “We still see the 50m, sub-500GT as a very important product and market for us, but we have built sheds and docks where we can operate between 50m and 60m where we can optimise the length and volume of boats we build to create the maximum capacity of opportunities for ourselves” says Brouwer. “We have, for example, been very successful with the 55m design, and of course there is our custom build program particularly in the 60m to 80m size range.”
This also means that 2019 will see significant investment in expansion, both in facilities and in personnel. “That represents the next phase of our strategy,” enthuses Brouwer. “We have acquired add-ons for our interiors division in Winterswijk – we have acquired the land and location and we are expanding our workforce quite a bit. Heesen is a fast growing organisation right now. If you put it all together, we see a stable growth both in gross tonnage and in length of yacht, which translates into further growth in turnover for Heesen in the next three to five years, based on our current portfolio and based on the current order intake we have already seen. We are,” Brouwer concludes, “very happy, and we hope to optimise our position in the slowly growing wider market.”
Feadship announces the completion of Project 714, a 79.95-meter yacht destined to become a significant addition to its fleet. Having left the construction shed at the Aalsmeer facility, the vessel is now undergoing final outfitting and preparation for sea trials.Designed by RWD, Project 714 boasts an exterior characterized by sculpted curves and a striking blue hull, reflecting the pinnacle of sophistication and style. Feadship’s renowned attention to detail is evident throughout, ensuring that both aesthetics and performance meet the highest standards.Naval architecture by Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects plays a crucial role in delivering optimal performance, while the yacht also incorporates cutting-edge technology through the FEAD (Feadship Advanced Electrical Drive) program. Featuring a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, Project 714 benefits from increased electrical storage capacity, surpassing previous iterations like the Savannah. Two contra-rotating thrusters replace conventional drive shafts and rudders, minimizing drag and improving efficiency.Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis informed the design of the pods and propellers, resulting in reduced vibration and enhanced comfort. This approach underscores Feadship’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, reinforcing its leadership in the superyacht industry.Based in the Netherlands and with roots dating back to 1849, Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of the Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.Credits: Feadship
February 28, 2025
The 35.4-meter Benetti Mediterraneo 116 motor yacht Bella Vita, built in 2020, has been freshly listed for sale by Sean Doyle, Wes Sanford, and Ed Dickinson of Northrop & Johnson. Designed by Giorgio M. Cassetta with naval architecture by Benetti, Bella Vita is the eighth of ten yachts in the Mediterraneo 116 series.Owned continuously since new, the yacht was commissioned by experienced charter guests who sought to customize every space for entertainment purposes. Built to MCA compliance and recently surveyed, Bella Vita offers accommodation for 10 guests in five cabins, including an owner's suite, two VIP cabins, and two twin cabins, all en suite. The crew quarters accommodate eight individuals, including a captain's cabin and three additional cabins on the lower deck.Interiors are described as minimalist and bright, featuring oversized windows, a neutral color palette, rich wood finishes, and bold color accents. The main saloon includes a seating area with a fold-away TV and a formal dining area for ten, while large glass doors lead to a wide aft deck with a sofa and tables for relaxed dining or coffee. An outdoor dining area is located aft of the sky lounge.Outdoor living is emphasized in the design, with an expansive 80-square-meter sundeck ideal for sunbathing, socializing, and alfresco dining. The foredeck features a hot tub and additional sunpads. An impressive swim platform doubles as a launching point for watersports, accompanied by a spacious beach club with a garage housing a Williams tender, Jet Skis, and dive equipment. Equipped with an Atlas crane and gym facilities, the yacht is prepared for active leisure pursuits.Cruising at a comfortable 14 knots with a range of 3,200 nautical miles, Bella Vita reaches a top speed of 15 knots due to twin MAN 2,800hp engines. She is offered for €11,200,000.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: Northrop & Johnson
February 28, 2025
MB92 Group, a leading superyacht refit specialist, is significantly expanding its Mediterranean presence with a multi-million euro investment in its newly acquired Golfe-Juan shipyard. Located on the French Riviera, approximately 70 nautical miles east of La Ciotat, the facility is now operational, providing refit, maintenance, and repair services for yachts up to 43 meters. The move aims to enhance MB92's refit capacity in the Mediterranean and meet the growing demands of the superyacht industry.The investment, totaling €5 million, will be focused on modernizing the Golfe-Juan facility. Plans include building renovations, restoration of hard-standing areas, and the implementation of advanced pollution-prevention infrastructure. This follows the recent certification of the shipyard's new 240-tonne travel lift, which enables MB92 Golfe-Juan to accommodate up to 16 yachts of up to 43 meters simultaneously.Rob Papworth, Managing Director of MB92 La Ciotat, expressed confidence in replicating the success of their La Ciotat operations at the new Golfe-Juan location. "Our experience with the 300t Origins platform in La Ciotat has proven the value of a flexible, client-focused approach, and I am confident we can replicate the same success in Golfe-Juan," Papworth stated . He further emphasized that clients will benefit from MB92 Group's substantial investment in the site, access to their extensive network of global and local providers, and project support from the La Ciotat team.Philippe Escousse, a former skipper with extensive yacht refit experience, has been appointed as the site manager to oversee the transformation. His responsibilities include integrating MB92's operational efficiencies while ensuring continuity for existing clients. He will be supported by a team of over 15 professionals from the previous shipyard.MB92 Golfe-Juan specializes in a comprehensive range of services, including mechanical and electrical engineering, painting, carpentry, and full rebuilds . Situated between Cannes and Antibes, the shipyard is strategically positioned to serve the yachting community along the French Riviera.The launch of MB92 Golfe-Juan coincides with a comprehensive redevelopment of the Camille-Rayon port, led by D-Marin. This initiative aims to transform the port into a high-performance service hub, meeting the demands of clients for both superior infrastructure and environmentally responsible practices.Corinne Reynaud, Global Chief Financial Officer at D-Marin and President of D-Marin France, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: "As we continue to enhance the capabilities of the Camille-Rayon port, the opening of MB92 Golfe-Juan marks an exciting new chapter in our commitment to delivering exceptional infrastructure and services."For 25 years the MB92 Group comprises the refit and repair shipyards MB92 Barcelona and MB92 La Ciota. Both sites offer unrivalled facilities and employ a workforce of over 300 in-house professionals. In 2019, MB92 was acquired by Squircle Capital, a European alternative investment firm focused on private equity and real estate value-add investments. Credits: MB92 Group
February 27, 2025
Italian shipyard Tureddi has announced the launch of two new superyacht concepts: the Hyper 50 and the Ultra 40. The 50-meter Hyper 50 and the 40-meter Ultra 40 are available for sale exclusively through Dome Yachts.The Hyper 50, the larger of the two, boasts a length overall (LOA) of 50 meters. Designed by Italian architect Antonio Bicchierri, the all-aluminum build features sleek, automotive-inspired lines. Key specifications include a 9.3-meter beam, a 2.4-meter draft, and an estimated top speed of 20 knots at half load.Hyper 50Renderings showcase a range of leisure facilities, including a fold-out balcony at the water's edge, dedicated lounge areas on both the main and upper decks, and two inviting dip pools. The first pool is located on the sundeck, surrounded by sunpads, while the second is positioned on the bow, accompanied by sofa seating and a coffee table.The yacht's interiors emphasize "clarity" and minimizing bulk, resulting in a layout primarily furnished with freestanding pieces. This design philosophy is evident in the beach club, which features modular gym equipment and comfortable sofa seating. The minimalist aesthetic is further enhanced by a monochromatic color palette incorporating light woods and white upholstery. The Hyper 50 can accommodate up to 13 guests in six cabins, along with quarters for a crew of 10.Additional highlights include a sundeck hot tub and dining area, as well as a main deck master suite positioned towards the bow. This suite offers panoramic ocean views and includes "his and hers" en suite bathrooms. Furthermore, one of the guest cabins can be converted into a gym, study, or intimate lounge, depending on the owner's preferences.Ultra 40The Ultra 40, also constructed entirely of aluminum, retains the automotive design elements found on the Hyper 50, including the distinctive hexagonal bulwark "frits." These bulwarks can be unfolded and combined with a large swim platform to create a versatile and spacious outdoor area.The aft deck features a dip pool, sunpads, and modular furniture, providing a comfortable and flexible space for relaxation and entertainment. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors offer seamless access to the main saloon and formal dining area.The Ultra 40 is powered by twin CAT C32 engines, delivering a maximum speed of 17 knots and a range of 3,500 nautical miles at 15 knots.Credits: Tureddi
February 27, 2025
The Azimut|Benetti Group has joined forces with SEA Index to tackle carbon emissions in the yachting industry. Under the agreement, the Superyacht Eco Association will assist Azimut|Benetti in implementing the SEA Index CO2 Emissions Rating tool for yachts over 24 meters. This tool will serve as an eco-design instrument to enhance the sustainability of the Group's fleet.The SEA Index CO2 Emissions Rating tool provides precise, impartial, and independently verified emissions data applicable to both fully custom and semi-custom yachts above 24 meters. Owners can utilize this tool to assess the energy efficiency of their vessels, while integrating it into the conceptual stages of new builds supports environmentally friendly design and construction practices."This partnership allows us to validate our emissions targets using SEA Index's stringent methodology," says Alessandro Rossi, Chief Product Officer of Azimut|Benetti Group. "Through state-of-the-art naval architecture and cutting-edge technology, we strive to achieve sustainability while remaining at the forefront of innovation."This collaboration represents another step in the relationship between Azimut|Benetti Group and SEA Index, following the adoption of the Carbon Emission Index for yachts under 24 meters in 2023. Developed in conjunction with Lloyd's Register, this index evaluates the carbon footprint of smaller yachts, encompassing the most common vessel size in operation."We're excited to work with Azimut|Benetti Group on this vital initiative," adds Natalie Quevert, Project Lead at SEA Index. "Their embrace of the SEA Index CO2 Emissions Rating tool signifies a collective effort towards a more sustainable future in yachting."Founded in 1969 by Paolo Vitelli, Azimut|Benetti Group is recognized globally as the leading manufacturer of superyachts, holding the top spot in the Global Order Book for 24 consecutive years. Committed to innovation, environmental stewardship, and customer-centric experiences, the Group maintains a workforce of over 2,000 employees across six shipyards and a network of 138 sales and service locations worldwide.Credits: Azimut|Benetti Group
February 26, 2025