With a surge in demand for its yacht design services, Milan-based Hot Lab is currently experiencing its busiest period, with 16 yacht projects in progress at Mediterranean shipyards, including six full superyacht designs ranging from 24m to 50m LOA that will be delivered in 2023.
M/Y Night Fury II (Atlantique 43m)
“The last four years were very profitable for us and the studio increased in terms of style, the quality of its works and the self-confidence of the team. This is due to the hard work done day by day (and sometime by night), and thanks to our customers that believed in our firm,” said co-founder and business director Antonio Romano. “More recently we moved Hot Lab under the umbrella of the Viken Group. It has been a major change of gear and already in 2023, we have signed four new contracts. We are exceedingly pleased.”
Hot Lab partners (photo by Giovanni Malgarini)
The structural changes have been mirrored by a change in the design process, overseen by design manager Enrico Lumini. He explained: “That’s when we crystallized our motto of ‘architecture for voyagers’. The idea was to simplify exterior design to become more essential, pure, clean. We wanted to give more importance to the volumetric, architectural aspects of design. It has struck an immediate chord with our clients.”
Hot Lab Studio's Pandemic-Inspired 100m Concept Drives Success for Columbus Yachts' 43m Atlantique. The studio's 100m concept, designed during the pandemic for a private client, informed the design of Columbus Yachts' 43m Atlantique, a hugely successful project that has become a showcase for the reinvigorated Hot Lab. The studio has grown to employ 12 people and offers a portfolio ranging from day cruisers to mega yachts.
M/Y Night Fury II (Atlantique 43m) main saloon
“That was the turning point for us,” Lumini said. “Columbus then sold three of them in a few months. The owner of the first one put his full trust in us, giving us a rare degree of autonomy in the interior styling and layout of the yacht. My idea was that everything should be in wood, but wherever it was cut out or rebated, there would be a marble or a stone treasure. Plants were also a major part of the internal brief. I love to integrate green to an interior – it makes it cozier and demonstrates that the space is more lived and loved.”
M/Y Kasif (full custom project 42m)
The demand for their services has led to the development of six superyacht projects, set to be delivered in 2023, including projects with Bilgin Yachts (50m, interior), Numarine (37XP, interior), AES 35m, interior and exterior, and the interior for Arcadia Sherpa 80.
M/Y Eternal Spark (Bilgin 50m)
The Hot Lab portfolio ranges from day cruisers to mega yachts. But despite the breadth of the fleet, there is a recognisable Hot Lab style, according to Lumini. “We definitely have a house style. Extremely clean lines and seamless surfaces are our traits outside. And for interiors, we prefer natural materials whose qualities you can clearly perceive and touch. If we use stone, we’d rather have it natural rather than glossy. We like open-grained wood and cotton or raffia. That said, we are designers, and that means doing our all to represent the client’s wishes.”
Arcadia Sherpa 80
Established in Milan, Italy by Antonio Romano and Enrico Lumini, Hot Lab is a yacht design and naval architecture firm that has distinguished itself globally with forward-leaning, award-winning yacht designs that display the firm’s “Architecture for Voyagers” approach to balanced and purposeful luxury.
The Viken Group includes Tillberg Design of Sweden, Hot Lab and Thalia Marine. It has been established to gather leading and passionate companies, with similar ideas and business ethics, under one umbrella. This enables it to provide a full range of completely aligned and comprehensive design, naval architecture and project management services. All these proficiencies will be available to both cruise line and yacht clients, as well as to customers within hotel, resorts and private island developments.
Credits: Viken Group
Northrop & Johnson has announced the delivery of a new Numarine 37XP explorer yacht to its owner. The vessel, sold by yacht broker Richard Higgins at the end of 2022, represents a significant addition to Numarine’s expanding 37XP Series.The 37-meter yacht is designed for long-range cruising and offers impressive performance capabilities. It features a range of 5,500 nautical miles, a cruising speed of 12 knots, and stabilizers for enhanced comfort during voyages.The yacht’s exterior design, created by Can Yalman, showcases angular lines and expansive dark-tinted windows across all decks. The triple-deck layout includes spacious outdoor areas such as a large beach club, shaded aft deck, and extensive sundeck.Interior features include floor-to-ceiling windows on the main and upper decks, which provide natural light and panoramic views. The contemporary interior design offers spacious accommodations.Richard Higgins commented on the project: “The construction of this yacht was a complex and rewarding journey — one that ultimately resulted in a truly exceptional vessel. While not without its challenges, the project was brought to a successful conclusion thanks to the dedication, experience, and close collaboration of the build team and the buyer’s knowledgeable representatives. From concept to delivery, every stage was met with a strong commitment to quality and a clear focus on achieving the owner’s vision. The result is a yacht that not only meets but exceeds expectations in design, performance, and craftsmanship — a testament to what can be accomplished through expertise, perseverance, and an effective team.”This delivery strengthens the reputation of the 37XP Series, which continues to attract owners seeking a capable platform for worldwide cruising with a focus on style and comfort.Credits: Numarine
June 24, 2025
The 32.7-meter motor yacht Far Niente, built in June 2024 by Turkish shipyard SES Yachts, is now available for sale through broker Dominic Meredith-Hardy of Classic Charters. Combining classic aesthetics with modern technology, the yacht features a fuel-efficient hull design by Hoek Design Naval Architects, inspired by early 20th-century Dutch herring luggers.Constructed with a steel hull and wood-composite superstructure, Far Niente was commissioned by experienced owners as a classic-style expedition yacht. The interior layout accommodates 10 guests across five cabins, including a full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck, along with crew quarters for six.The yacht’s design blends traditional and contemporary elements, with grey-washed oak and white paneling contrasted by exposed timber beams and classic deckheads. The main saloon includes a dining area for 10 and an L-shaped lounge, while the bridge deck offers a TV lounge and an outdoor space with al fresco dining and sunpads.Additional features include tender storage on the foredeck, serviced by a retractable crane. Powered by a single MAN diesel engine, Far Niente reaches a top speed of 11 knots, with a cruising speed of 9.5 knots and a range of 3,750 nautical miles. Key specifications include a 200GT interior volume, a 6.7-meter beam, and a 2.5-meter draft.The asking price is EUR13,000,000.Credits: Yacht Harbour archive
June 24, 2025
Pershing celebrates four decades of operations, highlighting its evolution as a brand known for revolutionary yacht designs, advanced technology, and high performance. Founded in the early 1980s by Tilli Antonelli, Fausto Filippetti, and Giuliano Onori, the company initially focused on repairing laminated wood boats. A turning point came in 1985 with the launch of the Pershing 45, developed in collaboration with designer Fulvio De Simoni. This model combined speed and spaciousness, establishing Pershing as a leader in innovation.In 1998, Pershing joined the Ferretti Group, expanding its global presence. The brand further strengthened its international reach in 2012 under the Weichai Group, with notable growth in Asia, America, and Europe. Pershing has consistently introduced groundbreaking technologies, such as surface-piercing propeller systems and water jets with gas turbines, exemplified by the 5,100 HP Pershing 115 in 2004.The current fleet includes the Generation X series (5X–9X) and the GTX range (GTX116, GTX80, GTX70), balancing performance with comfort. The Pershing 140, the brand’s first all-aluminum superyacht, represents its most ambitious project to date.Production takes place in Mondolfo, Italy, at an 84,000-square-meter facility featuring advanced manufacturing and testing capabilities. The site includes dedicated areas for different model ranges, with processes such as PPG-certified dry painting ensuring high-quality finishes."By introducing technological innovations, unveiling revolutionary models, and evolving the brand’s storied shipyard, for forty years Pershing has continued to look beyond the horizon, to where the sea meets the future," the company stated.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
June 24, 2025
Overmarine Group has launched the fifth hull in its Mangusta Oceano 50 series, a 50-meter displacement yacht measuring just below 500 GT. The vessel features exterior and interior design by Alberto Mancini in collaboration with the shipyard's technical department.The yacht's layout emphasizes indoor-outdoor connectivity through floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive glazing. Accommodation includes five cabins, with a full-beam master suite on the main deck featuring an automated balcony. The lower deck houses four guest cabins and a gymnasium.Outdoor amenities comprise three connected beach club terraces, two swimming pools (including a 6.5×2.6-meter pool with countercurrent system), and multiple lounge/dining areas across the decks. The sun deck infinity pool creates a visual connection with the horizon.Power comes from twin MTU 12V 2000 M86 engines (1,700hp each), delivering a 16-knot top speed and 4,500-nautical-mile range at 11 knots. Moran Yachts facilitated the sale of this fifth Oceano 50 unit.The launch follows four previous deliveries in the Oceano 50 series since its introduction. Overmarine Group was founded in 1985 by the Balducci family. The shipyard builds open and displacement power superyachts under the Mangusta and Mangusta Oceanco brand names. Credits: Overmarine Group
June 23, 2025
Horizon Yachts has completed construction of the 15th hull in its FD80 series, a 24.6-meter motoryacht that will make its European debut at both the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show in September. This marks the first FD80 model specifically configured for the European market.The yacht features design collaboration with Dutch designer Cor D. Rover, incorporating an open-plan interior layout with floor-to-ceiling windows. Interior finishes include bleached teak and brushed gunmetal detailing throughout the cabinetry. The owner has specified several custom features, including large-format televisions in both the main saloon and master suite.Accommodations are arranged for eight guests across four staterooms, with a full-beam master suite on the main deck and three additional guest cabins below. The crew area accommodates four staff with direct access to the beach club.Exterior spaces include multiple social areas, with a hot tub and teppanyaki grill on the bridge deck, along with flexible aft deck space that can serve as either a lounge or tender storage area. The foredeck features a dining setup with sunpads.Powered by twin MTU engines, the yacht incorporates Horizon's Skyline superstructure design and a fully enclosed wheelhouse. The FD80 will be available for viewings at both European boat shows before delivery to its owner. The Fast Displacement series represents a significant portion of Horizon Yachts' current production output.Founded in 1987, Horizon Yachts has celebrated 35 years as one of the largest luxury yacht builders in the world as well as the number one builder in the Asia Pacific region. In the past three decades, Horizon has delivered over 855 luxury yachts, with more than 220 of these over 80 feet in length. Popular models ranging from 52 to 150 feet include motor yachts, superyachts, power catamarans, expedition yachts, and fast displacement motor yachts.Credits: Horizon Yachts
June 23, 2025