The first superyacht ever built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri, the 134-meter Serene was delivered in 2011 to Russian billionaire, Yuri Scheffler. As was later revealed, the oligarch sold his superyacht in July 2015 to Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman for $458 million.
Featuring a salt-water swimming pool, a supersized hot tub, a sauna in front of the sea and a fully-operational helipad, Serene became known in yachting as one of the most inspiring superyachts ever completed.
At the time of her delivery, Serene was the 9th largest yacht in the world, barely topping the Emir of Qatar's 133-meter Al Mirqab and outdone by David Geffen's 138-meter Lurssen, Rising Sun. For the state-controlled Italian shipyard, Fincantieri, Serene was, however, the first yacht the company ever built, having primarily focused on commercial ships before.
Currently the 15th largest yacht, Serene turns heads anywhere she goes, not only due to her giant-like size, but also her exterior lines drawn by Espen Oeino and series of innovations in the interior.
Following the sale, her former owner, Scheffler claimed that Fincantieri's second yacht, the 140-meter Ocean Victory built for Russian billionaire, Viktor Rashnikov, had infringed on his intellectual property by building the superyacht on the same platform as Serene. As a result, Scheffler filled a suit against Fincantieri claiming €20,9 million from the shipyard in damages.
Whereas it is unknown how much exactly Scheffler spent building the 134-meter Serene at Fincantieri, it is widely believed in the superyacht sector that the vessel was sold at a profit by Scheffler to the Saudi Arabian deputy crown prince. As revealed by media as part of the Paradise papers, Serene was sold for €420 million.
At the time of the sale, some publications had reported that the sale was closed within several hours with the buyer having asked Scheffler to vacate the yacht within hours of the purchase. The new documentation that emerged through the Paradise papers leaks, however, tells a different story as the sale took at least 10 days to close. Before it could change hands, Serene had to cruise into international waters.
Stretching over a beam of 18.5 meters, Serene is 6 decks tall and boasts a myriad of amenities that few five-star hotels have. One of her most noticeable features from the outside is her supersized bathtub located aft of the sundeck.
One of the seven pools onboard Serene, the Jacuzzi on the top deck is surrounded by lounging pad for sunbathing. Forward of the hot tub is a fully-stocked, wet bar underneath the yacht's observational deck that features an additional set of sun loungers.
Up on the sundeck is yet another spa pool surrounded by lounging pads, located forward of the deck. This particular pool features bar stools and is connected to a fully stocked bar surrounded by two additional hot tubs. A table for casual dining can also be found in the shaded area of the sundeck.
Serene's interior was designed by British design studio Reymond Langton, incorporating a sophisticated mix of cream and dark colors with wooden fixtures. Offering views from any imaginable vantage point, Serene's sky lounge is equipped with a myriad of sofas, chairs and coffee tables for cocktails and tea.
A more formal location designed for the entertainment of larger groups, the main lounge features white colors with dark tones. At the center of the room is a piano with cocktail tables spread out across the room. Interestingly, this lounge sits just over the main dining room with its chandelier hanging through the two spaces and letting the music spread.
The formal dining area features two tables, capable of each accommodating up to 12 guests, bringing the total to 24 guests. Its layout, however, allows for the possibility to extend the table in order to hold larger banquets. On both sides of the room are floor-to-ceiling windows. In terms of food, Serene features a fire pizza oven as well as a teppanyaki grill.
Each space on Serene features a different set of colors, all coordinated across one central theme that spreads around the yacht with circles both on the floor and on the ceiling to create a sense of symmetry. Some of Serene's unique features include an indoor climbing wall as well as an underwater observation lounge.
The 134-meter yacht can carry a total of 24 guests across 12 staterooms divided into one master suite with essentially an owner's deck, a VIP cabin, three twin cabins and seven double staterooms. Serene carries a crew of over 40 people onboard.
Prior to the yacht being sold to the Saudi Arabian crown prince, Serene was made available for charter to select guests by Scheffler. These have included Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, who reportedly chartered Serene at a price tag of $5 million per week during the summer of 2014.
In addition to her vast interior spaces, Serene's exterior lounging spots have been optimized to best utilize the space onboard the 134-meter superyacht. Forward on the bow, for example, forward of the commercial-grade helipad can be found a lounging spot on the bow of the yacht. Although a long walk from the aft deck, these spaces are often used for maximum privacy when moored in a harbor.
Perhaps the most unique space onboard Serene is her swimming pool located aft of the main deck under a retractable glass roof. Up on the main deck, this opening can be closed with glass panels and is surrounded by lounging areas.
One of the most advanced swimming pools ever built on board a superyacht, it is the key element of the beach club that stretches for a large portion of the yacht's lower deck. Within the pool area are two additional Jacuzzis for the yacht's guests to relax in. On both sides of the yacht are lounging areas with access to the sea through foldable platforms.
Serene's beach club facilities, however, do not stop just with its pool. The superyacht features a full-sized spa with a sauna room with glass doors looking out onto the sea through a foldable platform. Next to the sauna are a hammam as well as a snow room.
Lighting systems were installed throughout Serene's exterior to ensure that the yacht could boast a sleek look at night as well as during the day. During the summer, the yacht could previously often have been seen lighting up Monaco and the Côte d'Azur.
Photo by Julien Hubert
Following her sale to the deputy crown prince of Saudi Arabia, the yacht started spending time in the Persian Gulf. During the summer of this year, Serene ran aground on a reef near Tiran Island in the Red Sea. Some damage is believed to have been sustained to her bow at the time, although the superyacht has been repaired since. Several days ago, she cruised to a shipyard in the Netherlands for maintenance work.
Currently valued at $1,6 billion by Forbes, Yuri Sheffler made his fortune in the alcohol business. Venturing into business in 1993, Sheffler made a series of moves that got him the rights to brands of vodka such as Stolichnaya, which was previously owned by a state-owned corporation. This has put him at the center of long litigations with the Russian government over the ownership of the brand.
Having left Russia for Switzerland and the United Kingdom during the early 2000s, Sheffler is currently the main shareholder in SPI Group, a conglomerate that sells alcohol under 380 brands in 160 countries. Earlier this year he acquired an estate in Scotland at an asking price of £25 million.
In 2014, Fincantieri launched its second megayacht, the 140-meter Ocean Victory which was commissioned by another Russian oligarch, Viktor Rashnikov, whose net worth is estimated at $4.8 billion. Prior to its launch in December 2014 however, Fincantieri was ordered to pay €20.9 million to Serena Equity Limited (the company controlled by Shefler that owned Serene) by London courts.
Shefler's main claim was that Fincantieri had used Serene, on which the billionaire says he holds intellectual property, to develop Ocean Victory which he says is a near sistership. In fact, both superyachts boast an exterior design by Espen Oeino and seem to have similar technical characteristics.
As such, English courts have granted Shefler €13,2 million for the violation of his intellectual property and €7.7 million for late deliveries, which were to be paid by Fincantieri where the Italian government holds a 70% controlling stake. Fincantieri, however, filed a motion in Trieste's Court of Appeals in 2015 to dismiss the fact that London's ruling applied.
Mohammad bin Salman, born in 1985, is the deputy crown prince of Saudi Arabia and currently sits as the youngest defense minister in the world and the first deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
Julien Hubert
From a technical standpoint, Serene can reach a top speed of 25 knots and cruise at 15 knots. Reportedly, her interior volume comes in at 8,231GT, ie, half of Dilbar, the world's largest yacht by gross tonnage.
Italian shipbuilder Rossinavi has launched the 66m superyacht Alchemy. The yacht is a result of collaboration between the shipyard and Philippe Briand, Founder of Vitruvius Yachts, who is responsible for the exterior design of the vessel. The naval architecture was developed in-house. Alchemy is spread across three decks and commissioned by a private client who has very much been involved in every aspect of the design project. The owner also commissioned this with a brief to focus on the design of the outdoor areas and wellness aspects of the yacht. “I was very lucky to meet this owner, who guided and empowered the entire team involved in the creation of his superyacht. A real Alchemy, as the name evokes, a combination of elements, which leads to an original and refined result: a streamlined and elegant three deck vessel, 66m long, that fits perfectly with what Vitruvius Yachts represents”, says Philippe Briand. The interior was made by Enrico Gobbi – Team for Design. A striking feature of the interior design is the suspended staircase which takes center stage in the main saloon, connecting the bridge to the upper deck. This unique design element creates a connection with its suspended glass steps that are supported by two partitions of white Carrara marble. The staircase serves as both a functional and artistic element, adding to the overall elegance and sophistication of the yacht's interior.<iframe width=560 height=315 src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/i-PaStJ3k9M title=YouTube video player frameborder=0 allow=accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share allowfullscreen></iframe>The other highlights are large alfresco areas, especially asked by the owner. The yacht has a hot tub and garage for two tenders. The 66-meter vessel will be delivered later this year.Rossinavi is an Italian manufacturer of custom steel and aluminium superyachts 28m in size and larger. The Rossi shipyard was founded in the 1970s and is located in Viareggio.Credits: Rossinavi
March 29, 2023
Sanlorenzo announces the acquisition of a stake in Sea Energy, a company active in the design, production and installation of electronics and electrical systems for the yachting sector. Sanlorenzo acquired 49% of the share capital of Sea Energy, for a total amount of almost €2.7 million.With this transaction Sanlorenzo continues in the path of verticalization of its key suppliers. In addition, the expertise and experience of Sea Energy will enable Sanlorenzo to benefit from an excellent and highly specialized know-how, aimed at developing projects in line with the sustainability of Sanlorenzo.Sanlorenzo was supported in the legal due diligence and contractual negotiations of its recent acquisition of a 49% stake in Sea Energy by the Law Firm Musumeci, Altara, Desana and Associates. Andersen Italia provided assistance to Sanlorenzo for the accounting and fiscal due diligence. Lawyer Luca Polidori and Mr. Gabriele Dini, on the other hand, offered support to Sea Energy.Massimo Perotti“I am glad to announce the investment of Sanlorenzo in Sea Energy, a strategic partner, which allows us to reach a further step in strengthening the supply chain. Sea Energy has made innovation technology the key of its success, now representing an excellence of the territory. Sea Energy, in the last few years, has also developed a significant experience in the field of electric and hybrid propulsion; this know-how is fully consistent with our “Road to 2030” vision to develop innovative and sustainable technologies able to revolutionize yachting. I am sure that the contribution of Sea Energy will be valuable in this path”, comments Massimo Perotti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sanlorenzo. Sanlorenzo was founded in 1985 in Viareggio by yacht builder Gionvanni Jannetti. In 2005, Massimo Perrotti became the majority shareholder in the shipyard. Sanlorenzo builds yachts ranging from 28.60 to 62 meters in length. Credits: Daniele Barraco, Sanlorenzo
March 29, 2023
Turquoise Yachts has launched the 75-meter Infinite Jest. The yacht’s exterior design was made by Vallicelli Yacht Design, who aimed to achieve a balance between a "powerful dynamic look" and curved lines that create a "harmonious contrast between soft and rigid elements". With a 1,680-gross-tonne volume, the low-angle descent towards the transom and extended forward overhang emphasize the yacht's length. The interior of the yacht was handled by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, marking the first collaboration between the Dutch studio and Turquoise Yachts. With accommodation for 14 guests, the owner's suite occupies a private deck with an office space, alongside a VIP cabin and five additional guest cabins. The full-beam beach club measuring 14.2 meters, equipped with shell doors on either side, offers greater access to the water. In addition, the central tender garage can house a 10.2-meter limousine tender, two additional tenders, and multiple jet skis. Powered by twin Caterpillar 2,575 BHP diesel engines, the Infinite Jest is expected to reach a top speed of 17 knots during sea trials.Infinite Jest, formerly known as Project NB69, is scheduled for delivery later this year. Turquoise was established in 1997 by two leaders of the Turkish boat building industry: Proteksan Yachts Inc. and Turquoise Yacht Construction. After launching the 50m M/Y Turquoise (now called Double Trouble), 20 other megayachts ranging from 40m to 77m in length have since been delivered to an international roster of clients from the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Russia. Credits: Turquoise Yachts
March 29, 2023
The Sunreef 80 Eco Marie-Joseph has been recognized as the best in the Technology and Innovation category at the 2023 YCM Explorer Awards La Belle Classe Superyachts. The award ceremony, chaired by His Highness Prince Albert II, honors the most innovative owners and environmentally friendly yachts in the industry. Marie-JosephFour prizes, awarded by a professional jury, were presented to men and women who, as true innovators, have perpetuated the philosophy of "Art de Vivre la Mer". The Sunreef 80 Eco Marie-Joseph impressed the jury with its many eco-friendly features, including "solar skin" solar panels, a hydro-generation system, and high-efficiency batteries. The award was received by Sunreef Yachts founder and president Francis Lapp. His Highness Prince Albert II and Francis LappAs a company deeply invested in the research and development of sustainable yachting solutions, Sunreef Yachts offers a full range of electric yachts and luxury exploration catamarans. The YCM Explorer Award further solidifies the brand's commitment to creating innovative and eco-friendly yachts for a sustainable future.Ultima rangeA while ago Sunreef Yachts introduced a new line of high-tech hybrid catamarans called Ultima. It's a line of fully customizable boats that combine comfort, performance and lifestyle. The first models, Sunreef 45 and 55 Ultima, were presented at the Miami and Fort Lauderdale yacht shows. The first ten yachts are already in production at Sunreef Yachts, with two more large models to follow shortly.Sunreef Yachts was founded by Francis Lapp in 2002 in Gdansk, Poland. Since then, the shipyard has been designing and manufacturing luxury sailing and power multihulls. Credits: Sunreef Yachts
March 28, 2023
Royal Huisman announced the hull turning of project 408, Aquarius II, which happened on March 27 in Vollenhove. The new 65m yacht was ordered by experienced husband and wife owners of the world cruising ketch Aquarius (56m, Royal Huisman, 2018). Her naval architecture exterior styling is made by Dykstra Naval Architects while the interior design is penned by Mark Whiteley Design. With the delivery scheduled for 2024, Royal Huisman decided to share the opinion of Godfrey Cray, the owner’s project manager. Aquarius II became his third Royal Huisman build after 58m Ngoni (2014–2017), and 56m Aquarius (2015–2018). According to Godfrey Cray, ‘the objectives for Aquarius II (AQII) were centered on maintaining sailing performance that matched the length increase from AQI. The yacht was designed to have increased cabins and living spaces for owner and guests, along with increased crew accommodation and service areas. The focus was on taking advantage of fully tested innovations and system upgrades, and continuing to prioritize quality and reliability.Considerations for AQII's design were made in light of the owners' satisfaction with the current yacht's modern classic exterior look, balance, and sailing performance. The team drew upon the experience and knowledge of the captain, engineers, and crew from AQI to enhance the design, systems, and fitout for the new project.The size increase from 56m to 65m led to a fourth guest cabin, a larger gym and social areas, and increased exterior cockpits and social spaces. The owners also committed to providing a good living and work environment for the crew, resulting in a larger galley, crew mess and laundry, along with an extra crew cabin. The engine room and technical spaces were also enlarged.56m AquariusSailing performance was a priority, and AQII was designed with a well-balanced, easily driven, and powerful sailing yacht. The inclusion of an efficient lifting fin keel with 7.6m of draft and the use of top sail designers and consultants contributed to the vessel's performance. AQII's sail handling and sailing systems were developed with Rondal, Doyle, and Royal Huisman, with a focus on being able to push the yacht hard in racing conditions with a crew of 30 while also safely cruising and delivering the yacht with minimal numbers of permanent crew. The team's experience from AQI's winning racing results was added to the development of AQII’.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.Credits: Carlo Baroncini; Tom van Oossanen/all courtesy of Royal Huisman
March 28, 2023