Earlier this year it was revealed that Norwegian billionaire, Kjell Inge Røkke would build the world's largest yacht in the world. With a length of 181.6 meters, his Research Expedition Vessel (REV) is set to beat out the current record holder, the 180 meter Azzam, by 1.6 meters.
Designed by industry superstar, Espen Oeino, the REV will be built by Vard and boast accommodation for up to 36 guests. Following her delivery in 2020, the superyacht will be made available for charter, her main purpose will however be to act as a platform for research and expeditions according to her owner.
"The REV will be a platform for gathering knowledge" her future owner, Kjell Inge Røkke explained. "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 sea."
Valued at $2,9 billion by Forbes, Røkke is currently the fourth richest man in Norway and 693rd in the world. Having started out as an 18 year-old fisherman with no higher education, Røkke made his fortune in the fishing space, purchasing his first trawler in the 1980s and eventually building up a large fleet. Earlier this year Røkke said he planned to give most of his fortune away.
The REV, set to be operated in tandem with WWF is one of the key focuses of his plan to help the environment. Set to be delivered by Vard in 2020, the yacht will be able to deploy mini-submarines, drones and actual submarines, transport up to 60 researches, gather data up to a depth of 6,000 meters and remove up to 5 tons of plastic per day.
Røkke further explained to the media that his first large factory trawler was built by Vard 30 years ago and that he had maintained a great working relationship with them since then, which is why the Norway-based shipyard obtained the contract to build the REV.
Amongst key features on the REV will be equipment for monitoring and surveying marine areas, modern laboratories, an auditorium, two helipads, a hangar for a remote operated vehicle and an autonomous underwater vehicle as a multifunctional cargo deck aft of the ship.
"There may not be any economic rationale for the private construction of such a ship, but the case is compelling from the ocean's point of view" Røkke explained. "I look forward to working with scientists and positive, knowledgeable, solution-orientated people both in Norway and internationally."
When not in use for research, the Research Expedition Vessel will however also engage in 'traditional' charter activity, being rented out to ultra high net worth individuals on a weekly basis. Under this configuration, the megayacht would carry up to 36 guests and a crew of 54.
"The vessel will be built to the highest standard making it suitable for charter to private individuals, companies, and institutions, which will generate research funding, and my family and I will also charter and use the ship as a place for recreation and inspiration" detailed Røkke.
Operated by the World Wide Fund's (WWF) Norwegian branch and its CEO, Nina Jensen, the non-profit will benefit from complete autonomy in managing the yacht with regards to her billionaire owner according to one of his statements. Røkke plans to give away most of his fortune to clean up the oceans.
With a length of 181.6-meters, the REV beats out the 180-meter Azzam for the title of the world's largest yacht by 1.6 meters. Built for the Emir of Dubai by Lurssen in 2013, Azzam is world famous for being the current record holder. Designed by Christophe Leoni and Nauta Yachts, Azzam can reach a top speed of 30 knots powered by engines giving her a total of 94,000 hp.
Prior to Azzam, the title was, for a long time, held by the 162.5-meter Eclipse. Built by Blohm+Voss in 2010 for Russian billionaire and Chelsea FC owner, Roman Abramovich, she features two helipads and a special set of lime-colored lifeboats to qualify to transport a larger number of guests.
Whilst the REV's 2020 delivery date positions her to becoming the world's longest yacht, it is currently unlikely that she will become the world's largest yacht by interior volume due to her open space of the yacht. This record is currently held by Russian billionaire, Alisher Usmanov and his 156-meter Dilbar, delivered by Lurssen in 2016.
The REV is part of a recent explosive growth in Norway's super yacht sector, with several of the world's largest yachts in build in the Scandinavian country. One of these is the 116-meter explorer, Ulysses, which will become the second explorer yacht the shipyard will have delivered to New Zealand's richest man, Graeme Hart in the past 3 years.
Just a few days ago, the shipyard signed a contract to build yet another 100m explorer in partnership with Lurssen. This follows several other commercial shipyards in Norway venturing into the super yacht space and Norway increasing its popularity as a destination for super yachts itself.
Previously most famous for importing his version of American capitalism to Norway, Røkke is already not a stranger to the super yacht world as one might expect. The first yacht that the press linked to Roekke has been the 66-meter sailing yacht, Aglaia delivered by Dutch-based Vitters in 2012.
Designed by Dubois and built out of aluminum, the 66-meter can have its mainsail up in less than two minutes according to the shipyard. She also carries the largest artwork ever made on canvas, a fully customized sail made by Norwegian artist Magne Furuholmen. Now renamed Ahimsa, she was sold at the end of 2014.
Roekke was also reportedly the original owner of the 70-meter Reverie. The largest yacht by gross tonnage ever built by Italian shipyard, Benetti at the time of her build, Reverie was delivered to a design by John Munford in 2000.
With an interior volume of 1,975 GT, Reverie, now known as Freedom following her recent change in ownership in 2013 at an asking price of $49,5 million, she stretches over seven decks.
Røkke's latest yacht is believed to be the 85.9-meter sailing yacht Aquijo. Delivered in 2016 as a joint partnership between Vitters, the builders of the first yacht linked to Røkke and Oceanco, a renowned builder of yachts mainly over 80 meters.
Vitters developed a custom steering system for Aquijo. It works by translating the hydrodynamic forces on the rudder blades directly to the steering wheels on the flybridge, thus providing the helmsman with immediate feedback and a feeling for how the yacht is moving through the water.
The yacht comprises 4 decks and is able to accommodate up to 12 guests. Spaces, particularly where alfresco areas abut interior ones, were configured to flow from one to the other without restrictions.
Aquijo is not only the largest ketch in the world but also among the 10 largest sailing superyachts completed to date. Built under the project name P85, the German studio Dölker + Voges was responsible for her interior design, whilst Tripp Design Naval Architecture styled her exterior.
Often hailed by media as the self-made man who changed the way business was done in Norway, Roekke is also known in the business world as a billionaire with an explosive temper and a taste for the supersized according to Reuters. Currently valued at $2,9 billion by Forbes, Roekke's fortune initially came from fishing, since then the 55-year-old has however expanded his empire.
Leaving high school as a dyslexic teenager with no education, he moved to Seattle to become a fisherman in Seattle. Saving up and eventually investing in a number of old boats, transforming them into trawlers and building up his fortune in the process. Roekke then chose to return to Norway in the 1990s, seeing new opportunities in his home country.
Shortly after his return to Norway, Roekke acquired 40% of 173-year-old conglomerate, Aker in 1996 and merged it with his Resources Group International before acquiring Kvaerner in 2000.
"He was the first one to bring American-style, aggressive capitalism to Norway, daring to use shareholder power to get what he wanted." detailed one of his biographers. "This was quite unheard of in Norway at the time."
When many had thought that Roekke would act as a corporate raider, chopping off the company piece by piece for cash, he took a different approach. "He has shown he thinks about the long-term when he makes investments and buys firms." commented Det Norske former executive, Erik Haugane.
In 2014, Roekke's Det Norske paid $2,1 billion in cash to acquire Marathon Oil's Norwegian business, creating the second largest oil producer in the country behind Statoil. Since his Aker holding has also divested from his original fishing business.
"My wife is totally right when she says I suffer from an incurable disease: gigantomania. She has tried to cure me but given up." he wrote in a 2011 letter to shareholders. "We had agreed to build a sailboat of 66. She meant 66 feet; naturally, I was thinking in meters. It ended up at 66 meters."
Riva has expanded its Destinations collection with a new lounge at Hotel de Mar Gran Meliá in Mallorca, officially opened on May 15. The venue combines Riva’s signature yacht styling with the hotel’s Mediterranean hospitality, featuring mahogany, ribbed maple, and steel finishes alongside iconic Aquariva lamps and Aquarama chairs.The lounge includes an indoor dining area and a sea-view terrace, complemented by a private Riva Privée area. Guests can charter a Rivamare yacht for coastal exploration, sunset aperitifs, or private dining.Located on Mallorca’s Illetas coastline, Hotel de Mar – designed by architect José Antonio Coderch – joins Riva Destinations’ existing lounges in Venice, Monte Carlo, Paris, and Jeddah. The opening event was attended by local celebrities, officials, and high-profile guests.No further expansion plans for additional Riva Destinations were disclosed. The lounge is now operational for hotel guests and external visitors.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
May 16, 2025
Feadship has completed its first two transactions through its recently launched Feadship Resale service. The sales include the 75.75-meter ONE (2025), co-listed with Edmiston and sold via Burgess as buying broker, and the 83.50-meter Savannah (2015), also co-listed with Edmiston.SavannahThe Dutch shipyard established Feadship Resale in late 2024 to leverage its technical expertise and historical build data in the brokerage market. The division currently represents six Feadship-built yachts, including the newly added 57.60-meter W."For years, owners have asked us to help sell their yachts," said Arjen van Elk of Feadship Resale. "We always directed them to brokers, but now we can offer something far more comprehensive. We know the yachts inside out – we built them."ONEThe service operates exclusively upon owner request and maintains collaborative relationships with established brokerage firms. Feadship emphasizes its role as a technical consultant rather than a direct competitor to traditional brokers, offering build specifications, maintenance records, and engineering insights to facilitate transactions.SavannahMarket response has been immediate, with multiple owners approaching Feadship directly to list their vessels. The shipyard attributes this to client confidence in its institutional knowledge of Feadship-built yachts.ONEThe Resale team now focuses on expanding its portfolio while assisting prospective buyers and sellers. No financial details were disclosed regarding the completed transactions. Feadship confirms the service will remain exclusive to yachts built by the consortium, with no plans to represent third-party vessels.The division's launch reflects growing demand for technical transparency in the superyacht secondary market, particularly for complex vessels exceeding 50 meters. Feadship's move follows similar manufacturer-backed resale programs emerging in the luxury marine sector.SavannahWith ONE and Savannah sales finalized, Feadship Resale prepares to handle additional transactions through 2025. The shipyard reports strong interest from both repeat clients and new buyers seeking verified build quality and maintenance history.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
May 16, 2025
CL Yachts has revealed its new CLB65 SUV model, a 19.7-meter sport yacht set to make its global premiere at the 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in Australia. The announcement comes as the brand's existing CLB65 model completes its tour of major boat shows across Asia-Pacific and North America.The SUV variant maintains the B-Series' functional elegance while introducing enhanced versatility for owner-operators. Power options include twin Caterpillar C18 or Volvo Penta D13 diesel engines, both capable of reaching 30 knots. The yacht features a ZF JMS boat control system for simplified docking and offers certification options between RINA Hull Construction and CE Category B Class standards.Designed by Hong Kong-based Supertomato Studio, the interior presents two décor schemes in walnut or white oak. The full-beam master stateroom incorporates dual hull-side windows and walnut finishes, while the VIP cabin includes a skylight. A convertible guest cabin adapts between twin and single bed configurations.Social areas emphasize fluid indoor-outdoor connectivity, with a flip-up window linking the galley to the aft deck's electric grill and bar seating. The salon features expansive glazing, a pop-up rotatable TV, and optional sunroof ventilation. A multifunctional stern area serves as either a beach club or fishing platform, with stabilization available via fins or gyro systems."Coming at the very peak of the yachting season, we are so excited to unveil our CLB65 SUV to the industry," stated CL Yachts. CL Yachts’ goal is to offer unparalleled experiences to the modern explorer. The luxury performance brand stands apart from its competitors thanks to its unique approach to design – driven by CL Yacht’s core value of innovation. Fusing progressive design with engineering prowess and state-of-the-art technology, every element of CL Yachts’ vessels are meticulously geared to steer luxury into uncharted territories.Credits: CL Yachts
May 16, 2025
Royal Huisman has commenced work on Project 412, an 80-meter-plus sailing yacht for a repeat client. The full-aluminum vessel will rank among the largest sailing yachts built by the Dutch shipyard when completed.The yacht features a carbon rig supplied by Rondal, designed for performance sailing and global circumnavigation. While exterior details remain confidential, the project continues Royal Huisman's specialization in large-scale sailing superyachts.Jan Timmerman, CEO of Royal Huisman, stated: "We are honored to embark on this new super-sized sailing yacht project for a returning owner. Project 412 promises a true sailing experience while offering a distinctive and sustainable alternative to large powerboats."The construction reinforces Royal Huisman's position in the XXL sailing yacht segment. No delivery date or additional specifications were disclosed. The yard currently has multiple large sailing projects in progress at its Netherlands facilities.Project 412 will join Royal Huisman's portfolio of custom sailing superyachts, which includes several of the world's largest sailing vessels. The commission demonstrates continued demand for performance-oriented sailing yachts in the 80-meter-plus range.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: Royal Huisman
May 15, 2025
Sanlorenzo S.p.A. announced its Q1 2025 financial results, reporting €213.5 million in net revenues from new yacht sales, a 9.6% year-over-year increase. The company's EBITDA rose to €37.0 million (+8.5% YoY), while net profit reached €21.2 million (+8.0% YoY).The Superyacht Division grew by 10.4%, and Nautor Swan contributed €23.8 million in revenues. Geographically, the Americas saw a 40.6% increase, while Europe grew by 8.6%. The company’s backlog stands at €1.2 billion, with 89% of orders sold to final clients and deliveries scheduled through 2028.EBITDA margin slightly decreased to 17.3% (from 17.5% in Q1 2024), attributed to the Nautor Swan acquisition. Excluding this effect, profitability would have improved. EBIT increased by 4.2% to €26.8 million, maintaining a 12.6% margin.Net financial position shifted to -€28.1 million due to seasonal working capital needs ahead of the Mediterranean delivery season (May-July). The company also repurchased €3.7 million in treasury shares and acquired 60% of AF Arturo Foresti S.r.l. for €0.7 million.Order intake in Q1 2025 reached €178.1 million (+5.9% YoY), reinforcing confidence in the Sanlorenzo, Bluegame, and Nautor Swan brands. The company confirmed its 2025 guidance, citing strong demand with waiting lists extending to 2028.Massimo Perotti, Chairman and CEO, stated: *"Our business model – unique in the international yachting landscape – continues to deliver excellent profitability and long-term visibility. We are reinforcing leadership in the 30 to 50-metre segment, supported by a sophisticated client base and semi-custom production."*Perotti noted that only 5% of revenues come from yachts under 30 meters, minimizing exposure to potential U.S. tariff risks. The company remains optimistic about sustainable growth and value creation.Sanlorenzo was founded in 1958 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 73 meters in length. Credits: Sanlorenzo
May 15, 2025