Yachting tends to be associated with its early Mediterranean roots, yet recent accelerating growth in the superyacht sector in Norway may indicate the beginning of a shift to new yachting hubs. From Espen Oeino's influence on yacht design to the largest yacht in the world to be built in Norway, the country's mark on yachting continues to strengthen as capacity in Northern Europe starts to lack.
Monaco-based Espen Oeino has been designing yachts since 1986, penning the lines of many of the the world's leading shipyards' flagships including Lurssen's 156-meter Dilbar, Heesen's 70-meter Galactica Super Nova and Fincantieri's 140-meter Ocean Victory.
The Norwegian designer's most ambitious projects may however be the 181.6-meter REV to be built by Vard for Norwegian billionaire, Kjell Inge Røkke valued by Forbes at $2,7 billion and primarily known in the business world as the majority stakeholder in Aker, a shipping and offshore drilling conglomerate.
Scheduled for delivery in 2020, the 181.6-meter yacht, set to be the world's largest, will be built by Norwegian shipyard, Vard, topping Azzam's length by almost 2 meters. "The REV will be a platform for gathering knowledge", explained Kjell Inge Røkke, "I would like to welcome researchers, environmental groups, and other institutions on board to acquire new skills to evolve innovative solutions to address challenges and opportunities connected to the seas".
Operated for scientific excursions in tandem with WWF Norway, the Research Expedition Vessel should also be made available for charters of up to 36 guests to help fund more scientific work. Vard was chosen for the build as Mr Røkke's first large trawler came from the shipyard, from which continued a 30-year long working relationship between the two.
The REV won't however be the first significant megayacht coming out of Norway. Indeed in 2013, Graeme Hart, New Zealand's richest man, ordered a 107-meter explorer from Norway-based commercial shipyard, Kleven. In November 2014, as the first Ulysses was under build, Hart commissioned a second 116-meter explorer from the yard.
Delivered in 2016, the 107-meter Ulysses was dubbed by many as the ultimate explorer due to her 22-meter tender on her bow, launched by two special cranes. Amongst her stand-out attributes are a 8,500nm range, an 11-meter swimming pool on the upper deck and a helicopter garage on the top deck.
"I am very pleased with the quality of the work that has been done by Kleven, and how our organization have worked together to bring this exciting project to life', commented Graeme Hart in November 2014 on Kleven's work on the first Ulysses.
Soon after her delivery, the explorer designed by Norwegian firm, Marin Teknikk, was put on the market asking $195 million ahead of the delivery of the new 116-meter Ulysses scheduled later this year.
Amidst growing development coming from the Norwegian superyacht ecosystem, a new player announced it was diversifying into the sector in November 2016. Ulstein Verft, a commercial shipyard based in Norway, then confirmed it was building a 88.5-meter yacht, designed by Espen Oeino, for one of the world's biggest ship owners.
With the marine platform and hull line design being developed by Ulstein itself and the general arrangement and exterior being penned by Oeino's Monaco-based studio, the 88.5-meter is set to be delivered already in the first quarter of 2018, a significant advantage of Norwegian upstarts compared to established superyacht yards in Northern Europe where waiting lists typically extend for several years for builds of this size.
Yacht construction and design is however not the only thriving part of the Norwegian superyacht ecosystem. In recent years, an increasingly important number of superyachts have started coming to visit Norway and its fjords amidst a thirst for new destinations. This uptick has become so significant that an association called Superyacht Norway was even established by local players to promote the destination.
Although still in an embryonic stage compared to the Med or the Caribbean, the May through September charter season in Norway is attracting more and more yachts. Recently, these have included visitors such as the 33.5-meter Feadships Kamino and Moon Sand Too and the 73.69-meter Ilona.
Popular destinations in Norway for superyacht cruises include Rosendal, a port at the foot of the Folgefonna glacier, near ski slopes, trek paths and waterfalls as well as Lofthus, a small privately-run port deep within a fjord with its own five-star hotel often visited by Norway's Queen and other high-profile visitors.
Although still in its very early stages, Norway's superyacht scene could soon start to rival the more established yachting hubs in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, perhaps unlocking areas in Norway and Scandinavia as new yachting destinations.
The Italian Sea Group has launched the 72-meter Admiral Armani megayacht, marking the first vessel designed in collaboration with Giorgio Armani. The ceremony took place at the company's Marina di Carrara facility, attended by representatives from the Armani Group, local authorities, and project team members.This yacht represents the first of two projects fully designed by Giorgio Armani, featuring distinctive exterior styling and interior design by Armani/Casa. The collaboration with The Italian Sea Group's Centro Stile combines minimalist aesthetics with advanced naval engineering.Key design elements include geometric volumes with curved surfaces, satin aluminum and steel detailing, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. The upper decks incorporate open-air lounges and a helicopter landing area. Interior materials feature Black Marquinia marble, golden Calacatta, and Canaletto walnut, complemented by custom lighting and fabrics."This yacht represents the confluence of Giorgio Armani's poetic elegance and The Italian Sea Group's technical excellence," said Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group.The Admiral Armani 72m will make its official debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2025. The vessel measures 72 meters in length and represents a new direction in luxury yacht design through the Armani collaboration. Technical specifications and performance details were not disclosed in the announcement.The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credit: Giuliano Sargentini/The Italian Sea Group
May 7, 2025
Silent Yachts has announced its 24-meter flagship solar-electric catamaran, the SY80, is approaching completion. The Italian builder recently launched two SY62 3-Deck Open models and one SY62 3-Deck Closed variant from its Fano shipyard as part of its plan to deliver 10 yachts in 2025.The SY80 will be available in three customizable configurations: 2-Deck, 3-Deck Open, and 3-Deck Closed. The model retains the sustainable features of Silent Yachts' smaller vessels while offering increased volume, accommodating up to 12 guests. Key features include an open layout, spacious staterooms, and ample storage for water toys."We can accommodate a very high number of different configurations, making the yacht of your dreams into a lived reality," said Silent Yachts CEO Fabrizio Iarrera. Owners can opt for an on-deck master suite or an open-plan salon with the master cabin below deck.Performance specifications include a top speed of 12 knots, cruising speeds of 7-8 knots, and battery capacities of 522 kWh or 696 kWh. The solar array peaks at 22.4 kWp, supporting near-zero-emission operation.The SY80 2-Deck variant will debut at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival (September 9-14), with sea trials expected in the coming weeks.Silent-Yachts is producing the world’s first fully solar-sustainable oceangoing production catamaran yachts. They are powered exclusively by solar energy and capable of cruising up to 100 miles per day. In 2009, founders Heike and Michael Köhler, who have spent 6,000 days cruising more than 75,000 miles all around the world, launched the Solarwave 46, the first fully self-sufficient blue-water catamaran after years of testing solar-powered propulsion, and they have been building boats ever since. Credits: Silent-Yachts
May 7, 2025
The 52-meter sportfisher Special One, built by Royal Huisman with design by Vripack, has received the Judges' Special Award at the 20th World Superyacht Awards in Venice. The yacht competed in the Best Motor Yacht – Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts 50m+ category.Judges described Special One as "spectacularly different," with one noting: "She is truly special! This yacht is so unusual, so different and so successfully done." The award recognizes the vessel's unique combination of sportfishing capabilities and luxury amenities.Vripack's co-creative director Bart Bouwhuis commented: "The owner's desire to build one of the coolest and challenging boats to ever hit water was unwavering from the outset." The design maintains traditional American sportfisher proportions while incorporating innovative features like a 28m² fish cockpit, DJ station, and cinema with rising projector screen.Interior highlights include walnut and oak finishes, a 237-piece parquet dining floor, and a sky lounge with custom blue glass chandelier. Technical innovations include laser-powered fiberglass exterior lighting.The World Superyacht Awards ceremony took place in May 2025, honoring exceptional vessels in the global luxury yacht market. Special One represents Royal Huisman's first sportfisher project and Vripack's largest motor yacht design to date.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.Credit: Guillaume Plisson, all provided by Vripack
May 7, 2025
The upcoming South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show 2025 at Ocean Village Marina in Southampton will showcase several world and UK premieres from leading marine manufacturers. The event, scheduled for May 9-11, will highlight new models across both power and sail categories with a focus on innovation and sustainable technologies.Among the notable debuts, Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding will present the Hardy 45 European, making its world premiere. The 45-foot vessel combines offshore capabilities with inland waterway navigation, powered by twin Yanmar 440hp engines reaching speeds up to 28 knots. Dave Cockwell, Founder and Sales Director, stated: "Our all-new Hardy 45 European provides an extraordinarily luxurious and secure environment for ocean crossings and long-distance cruising."Hardy 45The show will introduce four models to the UK market for the first time, including the BENTE28 sailing yacht with its distinctive IMOCA-style dodger, the high-speed Delta 33 Coupé from Sweden, the modular Axopar 29 Sun Top adventure boat, and the versatile Saxdor 340 GTWA walkaround cruiser.Hanse 360Additional show debuts will feature the award-winning Hanse 360 sailing yacht, recently named European Yacht of the Year 2025, alongside the FJORD 39 XL powerboat and the Absolute 47 Fly flybridge cruiser. The Hanse 360 offers an optional sustainable sail package using recycled materials.Absolute 47 FlyTim Mayer, Sales and Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, commented: "Each year the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show grows in scale and significance." The event will display over 90 boats both in-water and shoreside at the Harbour Hotel Southampton location.Credits: South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show
May 6, 2025
Benetti has launched FB287, a fully customized 67-meter steel yacht from its B.Now series featuring the Oasis Deck® design. The vessel represents Benetti's steel-hulled superyacht expertise, with exterior design by RWD and interiors by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. Engage Maritime served as owner's representative throughout the project."The launch of FB287 demonstrates the capabilities of the Benetti shipyard and the possibilities for clients to realize their ultimate expression of the yachting lifestyle," said Daniela Petrozzi, Benetti Sales Director.Key customizations include a rectangular elevator, marble guest staircase with glass balustrade, widened corridors, and multiple pool areas - an infinity pool on the Oasis Deck®, a spa pool on the observation deck, and a reflecting pool with waterfall effect on the owner's deck. The yacht features a lower-deck spa complex with sauna and steam room, a main deck saloon with grand piano, and an entire upper deck dedicated to the owner's private use.Originally conceived with light beach house interiors, FB287's owner requested a darker, richer aesthetic inspired by Gatsby-era styling. The final design incorporates woods like sycamore, ebony, and macassar, along with specialty marbles and metal detailing. Despite the dramatic style change from initial concepts, the design maintains seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces through coordinated material selections.Following launch, FB287 will undergo sea trials before scheduled delivery this summer. The project marks Benetti's successful adaptation of its B.Now platform to meet specific owner requirements while maintaining the series' signature indoor-outdoor living philosophy.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: Giuliano Sargentini/Benetti
May 6, 2025