To spy or not to spy: utilities aboard a €65 million James-Bond-inspired superyacht

Van der Valk has launched its 35-meter aluminum superyacht Lalabe, previously known as Project Samba, ahead of its scheduled delivery this summer. The vessel entered the water in late May 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of the Cannes Film Festival, and will undergo final outfitting and sea trials before its official debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.Lalabe represents a fully custom design based on the naval architecture of the award-winning Lady Lene, adapted with a fast-displacement hull capable of 17 knots. The exterior and interior were developed by designer Guido de Groot in collaboration with the owners, who were closely involved throughout the build process. The yacht emphasizes indoor-outdoor living, featuring sliding doors that open the bridge deck saloon on three sides and an aft cockpit designed as a beach club with a sauna, steam room, and fold-down swim platform."The yacht exemplifies Van der Valk's approach – combining Dutch craftsmanship with fully bespoke design," said Yoeri Bijker, Van der Valk's sales director. "This isn't a semi-custom project; every detail was tailored to the owners' requirements."The Cannes Yachting Festival, held in September, will mark Lalabe's first public appearance. The event, which includes in-water displays and exhibitions across Cannes' ports, serves as a key platform for yacht builders to showcase new models. Van der Valk's participation underscores the company's focus on the custom superyacht market, with Lalabe positioned as a highlight of the show.The yacht's layout prioritizes multi-generational family use, incorporating residential-style amenities such as an expansive laundry facility and flexible deck spaces. Its design follows the success of previous Van der Valk models, reinforcing the brand's reputation for high-performance, custom-built aluminum yachts.The Cannes Yachting Festival attracts a global audience of yacht owners, brokers, and industry professionals, making it an ideal venue for Lalabe's premiere. The event runs from September 10-15, 2025, in Cannes, France.Van der Valk is a family-run company building comfortable, innovative and efficient (semi) custom motor yachts from 18m to 45m. From its humble roots in the 1960s, Van der Valk today has a global fleet of over 1000 motor yachts. Credits: Van der Valk

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding's Ponsharden shipyard on 6 May 2025 to inaugurate the company's new Training Academy and launch the Hardy 45 European model. The Cornish boatbuilder, acquired last year by Pendennis Group, hosted the royal visit at its facility between Falmouth and Penryn.Upon arrival, The Princess Royal was received by local dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Penryn Mayor Councillor Mary May, and Pendennis Group Commercial Director Stephen Hills. Cockwells founder Dave Cockwell introduced senior management and Cornwall Marine Network CEO Paul Wickes MBE before guiding the royal party through the production facilities.The tour included demonstrations of the fiberglass molding process led by Production Manager Ryan Tunnicliffe, followed by an inspection of the main workshop with Production Director Jason Foat. The Princess Royal engaged with two groups of apprentices from the newly opened Training Academy, discussing their backgrounds and career aspirations."The Cockwells Training Academy has provided an incredibly positive route forward into my career," said apprentice Louis Foulkes. "I believe the skillsets and opportunities provided will allow me to spend the rest of my working life in a fantastic industry."The royal visit highlighted Cockwells' four-year apprenticeship program developed with Cornwall Marine Network, designed to preserve traditional boatbuilding skills while incorporating modern techniques. The Princess Royal unveiled a commemorative plaque for the Academy before performing the ceremonial launch of the Hardy 45 European by breaking a bottle of Cornish Camel Valley champagne on its bow."This marks two important developments - opening our Training Academy and launching the Hardy 45 European," said Dave Cockwell. "We discussed sustaining Cornwall's boatbuilding heritage while meeting global demand for bespoke vessels."The Hardy 45 European joins Cockwells' portfolio that includes Duchy Motor Launches and superyacht tenders. The Pendennis Group's majority acquisition has enabled production expansion at the Cornish facility, which employs traditional craftsmanship alongside contemporary marine technologies.The event underscored the marine sector's economic significance to Cornwall, with Cockwells' apprenticeship program addressing industry skills requirements. The company currently builds vessels up to 35 feet at the Ponsharden site, with the Training Academy expected to graduate 12-15 apprentices annually through its structured program combining workshop instruction and on-the-job training.Pendennis Shipyard is one of the world's leading custom superyacht builders and refit shipyards and has become one of Cornwall's most important employers with over 430 highly skilled tradespeople based at the 14-acre prime waterfront location in Falmouth, UK. In the latter part of 2018 Pendennis secured a majority share hold in Vilanova Grand Marina, a 48 berth facility with adjacent land available for further development. The investment in Vilanova is yet another milestone in Pendennis’ international growth and offering to its global client base. Credit: Pendennis

U-Boat Worx has launched its Wet Lease program, a comprehensive solution enabling commercial operators to offer submarine experiences without owning or operating the equipment themselves. The Dutch submersible manufacturer, active since 2005, aims to expand access to deep-sea exploration through this managed service model.The program addresses key barriers to underwater tourism by handling all operational aspects, including vessel provision, crew, maintenance, permitting, and dive logistics. Operators only need to supply passengers, while U-Boat Worx manages the entire diving experience. Available submarines accommodate 2 to 7 passengers."This model removes concerns about recruitment, training, maintenance, and regulations," said Wilbert Beilsma, Commercial Director at U-Boat Worx. "Operators bring guests; we handle everything else."With over 60 submarines in service and 10,000+ commercial dives completed, U-Boat Worx has established itself as a leader in private submersible operations. The company reports growing demand for unique underwater experiences in luxury travel, marine tourism, and conservation sectors.The Wet Lease program follows successful pilot operations and complements existing financial models: outright purchase, financial lease, operational lease, and fractional ownership. This expansion positions U-Boat Worx not just as a manufacturer but as an operational partner for commercial users."Submarine dives represent a distinctive, bucket-list experience that differentiates destinations," noted Roy Heijdra, Marketing Manager. "They generate significant marketing value through guest engagement and word-of-mouth promotion."The initiative comes as experiential travel continues gaining market share globally. By simplifying access to deep-sea exploration, U-Boat Worx aims to make underwater adventures available to a broader audience while supporting marine tourism development. The company's submersibles have previously been used for scientific research, film production, and private exploration in addition to commercial operations.Operators in resort, cruise, yacht charter, and ecotourism sectors are identified as potential adopters of the Wet Lease model. The program's scalability allows for implementation in various marine environments worldwide, subject to local regulatory approvals. U-Boat Worx maintains all necessary international certifications for its vessels and crew.This development reflects broader trends in the luxury experience market, where operators increasingly seek turnkey solutions to differentiate their offerings. The submarine experience market has grown steadily since 2010, with particular interest from Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern markets in recent years.U-Boat Worx continues to develop new submersible models alongside its service offerings, with recent additions focusing on improved viewing capabilities and enhanced passenger comfort. The company maintains production facilities in the Netherlands and operates globally through regional partners.Credits: U-Boat Worx

Ferretti Group will present seven yachts at the sixth Venice Boat Show, running from May 29 to June 2, including two world premieres: the Pershing GTX70 and Ferretti Yachts 940. The event takes place in Venice’s historic Arsenale district.The Pershing GTX70, launched in March, marks the third model in the brand’s Sport Utility Yachts series and coincides with Pershing’s 40th anniversary. The 70-foot yacht retains the sporty design and spacious layout of its predecessors in a more compact form.Ferretti Yachts 940The Ferretti Yachts 940, unveiled in January at the Cattolica shipyard, makes its public debut at the show. As the largest model in the Ferretti Yachts range, the 94-foot widebody emphasizes interior space and cruising comfort.Five additional models from Ferretti Group brands will be displayed: the Riva Dolceriva, Riva 68’ Diable, Itama 45RS, Pershing 8X, and Wallywhy100.Pershing GTX70The Group has partnered with luxury brands for the event, including Dolce & Gabbana, which designed staff uniforms. Hotel Gritti Palace hosts the Riva Lounge, while Lavazza, Range Rover, La Scolca, Aperol, Seabob, Frette, Lanerossi, Zimmer + Rohde, Atelier Rebul, Venini, and Zanta contribute to the exhibition’s amenities. Additional partners include Bang & Olufsen, Flexjet, and Torello.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

Saxdor Yachts has extended its dealer agreement with Greece-based Thrace Labea to include Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania, reinforcing its presence in Southeastern Europe. Thrace Labea, one of Saxdor’s earliest dealers, will now oversee sales and service in the three new markets.The expansion follows Thrace Labea’s established operations in Greece, where it has developed a scalable business model for the Finnish boatbuilder. Local teams have been set up in Bulgaria and Romania to provide customer support, while a partner in Albania will handle growing demand as the country emerges as a Mediterranean boating destination.Jon Hautamäki, Sales Director at Saxdor Yachts, stated: “The expansion of Thrace Labea’s responsibilities into Bulgaria, Romania and Albania reflects both exceptional performance and the growing confidence in Saxdor across the region.”Nikos Zarifis, Managing Director at Thrace Labea, added: “We’re excited to take this next step with Saxdor. Southeast Europe offers strong potential for growth, and we are committed to delivering the same level of service and passion for the brand that we have brought to the Greek market.”The move aligns with Saxdor’s strategy to strengthen its position in emerging markets. The brand’s focus on performance hulls and versatile designs has driven demand in the Mediterranean region. Thrace Labea’s expanded role solidifies its position as a regional hub for Saxdor’s operations.Since its inception in 2019, Saxdor Yachts has experienced exponential growth, producing over 1000 boats and capturing the industry’s attention with their innovative approach. Now, with the introduction of the Saxdor 400 GTO, Saxdor Yachts aims to make waves in the 40-45 ft sport boat market, leveling up from the game-changing entry-level 200 and mid-range 320 models.Credits: Saxdor Yachts