Ares Yachts, a division of the esteemed Ares Shipyard in Antalya, Turkey, has unveiled details of its exciting new 54-meter explorer superyacht concept, Atlas. Built to stay just below the 500-GT threshold, Atlas reimagines fundamental features to enhance the experience for owners and guests. This design embodies a true go-anywhere spirit while offering luxurious guest areas and advanced options for hybrid propulsion and other eco-friendly solutions.
The sleek lines of Atlas are derived from the creative minds at Italian design studio Hot Lab, which is part of the Viken Group. The efficient naval architecture is the result of expertise from Van Oossanen Naval Architects based in the Netherlands. "The unique characteristics of Atlas ensure an impressive blend of aesthetics and practicality for both owners and guests," shares Piraye Şahin kaya Orhun, Managing Director of Ares Yachts. “With remarkable long-range capabilities and a seaworthy design, she promises extraordinary adventures.”
Antonio Romano, Business Director and co-founder of Hot Lab, notes, “We believe that every project should include a touch of innovation, which we refer to as 'incremental innovation.' Our goal with Atlas was to identify what was lacking in explorer yachts around 50 meters.”
Central to this vision was a focus on enhancing the owner's private space – providing perhaps the finest views imaginable for a yacht of its size while facilitating innovative interaction with the sea.
“One of our key ideas was to incorporate a mezzanine structure at the bow, granting the owner a cabin with uninterrupted views of the horizon,” explains Enrico Lumini, Design Director and co-founder of Hot Lab. “Simultaneously, we designed what we call the ‘welcome lounge’ at the stern – a space that typically serves secondary functions as a beach club, but on Atlas, it takes center stage as a primary lounge and welcoming area for enjoying time with family and friends.”
This distinctive stern design is seamlessly integrated into Atlas’s bold yet elegant profile. With sharp, angular lines that highlight both style and functionality, ATLAS is equipped to handle challenging conditions, reinforced by a high, robust bow. Each deck features generous outdoor spaces, including a stern platform ideal for swimming or launching tenders, alongside spacious upper decks for relaxation and outdoor activities.
Atlas boasts a full-beam owner's suite complete with a private foredeck and spa pool, along with four guest suites that allow direct access to the beach club, thanks to the forward placement of the engine room. Five crew cabins ensure that nine crew members provide the highest level of service for guests aboard.
While the interior design will be tailored to individual client preferences, the team envisions a modern, minimalist aesthetic characterized by clean lines and smooth surfaces. The use of neutral tones and high-quality materials will create a sophisticated and timeless ambiance, complemented by light wood flooring in a plank pattern for added warmth. Large panoramic windows will serve as a focal point, offering breathtaking views and flooding the interior with natural light to foster a bright, open atmosphere.
At the core of this stunning design is a Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) developed by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. This hull type has become the industry standard for efficiency across all speed ranges. Atlas is designed to achieve a top speed of 17 knots, with a cruising speed of 11 knots and an impressive range nearing 5,000 nautical miles. It also includes ample storage for tenders, toys, and equipment to maximize the exploration experience, along with an optional touch-and-go helipad and potential hybrid propulsion features, including solar panels for reduced emissions.
“This is a high-performance 54-meter yacht designed to optimize efficiency, speed, and range while minimizing environmental impact,” states Perry van Oossanen, CEO of Van Oossanen Naval Architects. “By placing the engine room forward, we provide guests with a grand entrance while reducing overall volume in the aft area, which in turn minimizes hydrodynamic resistance at cruising speeds and enhances range, making it ideal for long-distance adventures.”
For Ares Yachts, Atlas signifies an exciting new chapter in their yacht collection, joining the composite 50.55m Spitfire model and their bespoke offerings for unique projects.
“Our vision was to create a range of expedition yachts, and Hot Lab has delivered a stunning explorer superyacht that remains under 500 GT while capturing the Ares Shipyard’s commercial heritage within its design,” expresses Şahinkaya Orhun. “This project truly reflects our heritage and showcases the skills of our talented shipyard team in steel and aluminum construction, with an anticipated two-year build time. We are extremely optimistic about Atlas – this project excites us, and we are eager to bring it to life!”
Ares Yachts, situated in Antalya Free Zone on Turkey’s south coast, spans 40,000 square meters of build space across four large sheds. Besides Simena, the shipyard is concurrently working on other projects, including the 50m motor yacht Spitfire and a 54m explorer yacht known as Project Atlas. Additionally, Ares Yachts is developing a 65-85m yacht range in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects.
Credits: Ares Yachts
Sunreef Yachts is set to unveil the anticipated 80 Sunreef Power Eco and Sunreef 80 Eco at the upcoming Qatar Boat Show. This event will take place at the Old Doha Port from November 6 to 9, and attendees can exclusively view both eco-friendly yachts throughout the duration of the show.80 Sunreef Power Eco Athena TooThe groundbreaking 80 Sunreef Power Eco features dual 180 kW electric motors paired with an ultra-lightweight 330 kW/h battery, showcasing cutting-edge technology. Its innovative solar panel system is seamlessly incorporated into the composite hull, enhancing the yacht’s overall energy efficiency and sustainability. 80 Sunreef Power Eco Athena TooOn the other hand, the Sunreef 80 Eco sailing catamaran leads the way in green yachting. It boasts ultra-light composite solar panels, which are strategically integrated into the hull sides, mast, superstructure, and bimini roof. With its advanced electric motors and an efficient hydrogenerator system, the Sunreef 80 Eco delivers an unmatched eco-navigation experience, generating energy while sailing.Sunreef 80 Eco M and JSunreef 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
October 17, 2024
Eternal Spark, the latest 50-meter yacht from Bilgin Yachts, now available for charter through Ocean Independence as the central agent. What sets Eternal Spark apart is its innovative design, specifically crafted to accommodate the diverse tastes and preferences of various charter clients, making it a preferred choice for those seeking a truly luxurious experience.Matija Longin, the yacht's manager, highlights the vessel’s broad appeal: “Eternal Spark was designed to deliver unparalleled comfort and relaxation for all guests, whether they hail from Turkey, the United States, Europe, or China.” This inclusive philosophy is evident in the yacht’s lavish six guest cabins and multiple social spaces, both indoors and outdoors.Eternal Spark offers an impressive suite of amenities, tailored for an exceptional charter experience. Utilizing over 200 high-quality materials, the yacht boasts state-of-the-art entertainment facilities, highlighted by dual cinemas – one indoors and another outdoors– along with a hot tub pool on the sundeck and a beach club emphasizing wellness and spa services.Berkay Yılmaz, the Commercial Director at Bilgin Yachts, describes the vessel's interior as modern, elegant, and luxurious. “Eternal Spark is truly more than the sum of its parts, featuring a sleek and sporty exterior with expansive outdoor spaces. I believe she will redefine the luxury charter experience,” he states.Capable of accommodating 12 guests in its six cabins and serviced by ten crew members, Eternal Spark provides a wealth of unique amenities designed to exceed expectations. Guests can explore ten different social areas across four deck levels, enabling gatherings of over a hundred people for stationary parties. The yacht also features impressive storage, a fully-equipped gym, and a custom-built chase boat.Emphasizing the yacht's versatility, Longin notes, “Eternal Spark was built to cater to various cultures and expectations. With significant storage and thoughtful designs like our movable nightstands, comfort is paramount.”The master suite is particularly noteworthy, featuring a spacious layout with distinctive “his” and “hers” sections, including a study area and a colossal 240 x 220 cm berth – a rarity for a 50-meter yacht. The “VIP suite,” regarded as a secondary master suite, offers luxurious amenities, including embedded TV in the mirror and rich burgundy accents.On the upper decks, the sky lounge serves as a relaxed haven, operational as a second salon or personal nightclub without rigid design constraints. The sun-drenched sundeck features an oval dining table sheltered from the sun, a versatile BBQ area, and a glass-bottom hot tub that doubles as a visual centerpiece.Finally, the lower aft deck beach club, complete with a sauna and entertainment facilities, rounds out the exceptional offerings aboard Eternal Spark. Louise Bunce from Ocean Independence summarizes, “This yacht's unique concept will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the charter market in 2025. I highly recommend an unforgettable stay on board.”Bilgin Yachts is a boutique shipyard on the European side of Istanbul, building 50 to 120m luxury superyachts. It has been a family-run business for five generations since the early 1900s.Credits: Bilgin Yachts
October 17, 2024
The 4th Olympic Yacht Show, held from October 10-13 at the picturesque Olympic Marine in Lavrio, was a resounding success, bolstered by perfect weather conditions. This year's event attracted over 20,000 yachting enthusiasts, who gathered to explore more than 130 boats from various categories, including motor yachts, sailing vessels, catamarans, dayboats, performance boats, and RIBs. Notably, the show highlighted the craftsmanship of Greek shipyards, further establishing them as a significant draw for yachting enthusiasts across Europe.The diversity of boats showcased was complemented by expert guides, who provided insights into each vessel. The rising number of international visitors underscored the Olympic Yacht Show's growing prominence within the global yachting community, making it a vital networking platform for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. The inclusion of foreign shipyards and businesses in this year's show demonstrates the event's evolution into a valuable meeting point for yachting industry stakeholders.Gerasimos Gerolimatos, the organizer of the Olympic Yacht Show, emphasized its vital role in promoting the yachting sector. "The Olympic Yacht Show has become the number one market tool and a fruitful communication platform. This year, it returned bigger and richer in content, spotlighting several premieres on both European and global levels," he remarked. Gerolimatos also mentioned that the exhibition promotes not only sea tourism but also adds significant value to Greece's economy.This year's event featured more than 90 exhibitors representing over 400 brands. Companies from abroad, many participating for the first time, expressed their satisfaction with the show's success, with many already securing spots for the next edition.The opening ceremony saw a convergence of Greece's political and business elite, including Gerolimatos, George Prokopiou, owner of Olympic Marine, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Stefanos Gikas, and Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogiannis, among other dignitaries. Additionally, the ceremony honored industry leaders with awards for their contributions to yachting. Notable recipients included George Prokopiou, Vassilis Apostolopoulos, and Atalanta Marine, with the awards sponsored by ZOIS EFSTATHIOU S.A.In support of the event, EKO returned as the major sponsor for the second consecutive year, affirming its commitment to Greece's leading in-water show. The Olympic Yacht Show 2024 was graciously supported by government entities and various organizations, including the GNTO, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping.Credits: Olympic Yacht Show
October 17, 2024
AvA Yachts has successfully turned the hull of its latest vessel, the Kando85 explorer model, measuring 25.7 meters in length. This vessel is currently available for purchase, with expected delivery slated for summer 2025 and is scheduled to make its debut at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival.The construction of the Kando85 commenced in June 2024, marked by a keel-laying ceremony held at the shipyard’s facilities in Antalya. This event was attended by the model's investors, SRW Yachting.Designed as a "long-distance cruiser," the Kando85 will be constructed using high-quality aluminum and steel, featuring thicknesses ranging from eight to ten millimeters. With an impressive interior volume of 200 GT, the yacht boasts a four-cabin layout that includes a spacious master suite located on the main deck.Svein Willadssen from SRW Yachting added, "Labeling the Kando85 as a 'pocket explorer' would undervalue her capabilities. She is a remarkably well-equipped and ultra-safe oceangoing explorer superyacht. We have great confidence in AvA Yachts' commitment to superior construction quality and the exceptional finish of their products, and we see immense potential in the Kando85."This impressive vessel will be powered by twin Volvo Penta D13MG engines, offering 408 horsepower each. The Kando85 is expected to achieve a maximum speed of 11 knots, with the capability to cover over 4,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 10 knots.AvA Yachts was established in 2005 as a naval architecture and engineering company by a group of naval architects who have experience of more than 25 years in the yacht design and engineering field. Ava Yachts has developed and engineered the designs of many remarkable yachts in a wide variety. Today AvA Yachts, with more than 5000 sqm closed yard based in Antalya.Credits: AvA Yachts
October 16, 2024
MCM Newport has successfully completed its oversight of the construction of the second Pelagic 77, aptly named Amundsen after the renowned Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen. Following their supervision of the 'Vinson of Antarctica,' this latest vessel reflects both adventurous spirit and cutting-edge technology, having recently been delivered from KM Yachtbuilders in Makkum, Netherlands. This delivery marks the conclusion of two years of intense effort and collaboration by the experienced team at MCM Newport.Peter Wilson provided valuable insights into the project, stating, "Our role for Amundsen mirrors that of 'Vinson of Antarctica' as the owner's surveyor and inspector, overseeing all construction processes. We have applied all the lessons learned from 'Vinson' to ensure Amundsen excels."Constructed with an aluminum hull and superstructure, Amundsen showcases the expert design by naval architect Tony Castro. She features a notable 6.2-meter beam accented by a red stripe along her waterline, and is equipped with two carbon masts to optimize sail distribution and enhance redundancy.Discussing the choice of aluminum for the vessel, Wilson remarked, "Aluminum provides exceptional strength, ease of repair, and superior weight performance compared to steel. With Castro's design and Skip Novak's racing expertise, outstanding sailing performance is a key focus. A well-designed yacht is always more enjoyable to sail."Internally, Amundsen offers a versatile wheelhouse/staging area and control station, a generous lounge/dining area adjacent to the galley and navigation/communication suite, along with accommodations in six double cabins. Notably, she boasts several significant improvements over her sister ship.Amundsen is fitted with new, eco-friendly Volvo engines that comply with current MARPOL regulations.The vessel has moved from a centerboard to a fixed keel with a fin and bulb design, resulting in enhanced reliability and reduced complexity during long, autonomous expeditions.The engine room has been enlarged to facilitate the new engines and additional equipment, simplifying access for maintenance.Wilson elaborated on these advancements, stating, "In its relatively short operational history, 'Vinson' has proven a tremendous success, navigating thousands of miles through some of the most challenging environments in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. For Amundsen, we have upgraded the autopilot and steering system while making numerous refinements to the rig, rigging, deck, and interior to boost performance and reliability."Looking ahead, Wilson expressed his vision for the future of expedition vessels: "A growing number of sailors, adventurers, scientists, explorers, and researchers desire to explore the most remote corners of our planet. The Vinson/Amundsen program provides an ideal platform for such expeditions, and I eagerly anticipate my opportunity to board Amundsen in Antarctica!”The MCM team boast 35 years of experience across a diverse range of projects since the company’s founding in 1988 with overseen the builds of 106 yachts, including 86 sailing yachts, for a combined length of 10,776 feet (3,284m).Credits: MCM Newport
October 16, 2024