1. 33m Perla Nero ran aground in Croatia
85.6m Aquila (ex. Cakewalk) was re-delivered by the Cornwall-based, Pendennis Shipyard following a year-long refit programme which mainly focused on 750 square meters of the yacht's interior space. The largest yacht ever built in the US, Aquila has now become the largest yacht to have been refitted in the UK. Redman Whiteley Dixon and Susan Young Interiors collaborated on the refit which reconfigured the owner's suite, adding a 60-square meter private deck area and repositioned the Jacuzzi to the forward sun deck.
33m Perla Nero ran aground in the Sibenik channel, Croatia as shows footage that surfaced on social media on August, 8th. According to local publication, SibenikIn, the incident occurred during the night from Friday to Saturday. The publication further reported that the owners of Perla Nero had 5 days to remove the yacht before the task would fall on local authorities. No pollution, injuries or any significant damage to the yacht have been reported.
The 9th largest yacht in the world, 141m Yas, has been seen in Tarragona, Spain. She is based on the hull of a former Dutch navy frigate, the 130m HNLMS Piet Hein, a Kortenaer-class frigate of the Royal Netherlands Navy which was built by the Koninklijke Schelde Groep and launched in 1978. The frigate was sold in 1998 to the United Arab Emirates Navy where she was operated under the name Al Emirat and was decommissioned in 2008.
Prince Khaled bin Sultan, son of the late Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, is best known in the yachting industry as the owner of the Golden Fleet which recently grew in size with the launch of the 123-meter Golden Odyssey. The Golden Fleet, which set up its home base in Porto Montenegro in 2012 through a 30-year lease, is however known not only for its size but also for its contribution to the conservation of the oceans through her owner's Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. As such, the fleet has travelled worldwide with scientists onboard to learn more about the world's oceans and their wildlife. In recognition of his contributions through the foundation, Prince Khaled bin Sultan was awarded the Perseus Award in 2012.
28.6m, Ferretti Yachts-built, Bellissima ran aground on August, 4th (approximately 14:00) near Pender Harbour, British Columbia, Canada. Water then poured from into the yacht from a hole in its hull. No one was injured as a result of the incident and no pollution was reported. According to witnesses, the yacht hit underwater rocks off Daniel Point, while coming out of the harbour and started heading back as it realized it had difficulties. The hole in the yacht's hull was eventually patched and the yacht was anchored near the harbour for further inspection.
Pelorus, the 115-meter superyacht built in 2003 by Lurssen, has reportedly been sold to Chinese billionaire, Samuel Tak Lee according to several sources in the industry. Built for the Saudi owner of 72m Coral Island, Pelorus was the 11th largest yacht in the world at the time of her launch and became Lurssen's newest flagship. A few months after delivery, the owner decided however to sell his masterpiece and it was Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich who came in with the highest bid to acquire the superyacht.
Maria La Via, former CEO of Privilege Yard, and finance director Antonio Battista were placed under house arrest by order of the Civitavecchia power of attorney for alleged fraudulent bankruptcy filings, tax crimes and violation of the anti-mafia legislation, La Repubblica reports. The men are accused of having used the shipyard’s money to purchase luxury cars such as a Ferrari and a Maserati for a total of €320,000. It is also turned out that Privilege Yard paid the rent for the house of Pasqualino Monti, president of the Civitavecchia port authority.
South China Morning Post linked Malaysian financier Jho Low to 91.5m yacht Equanimity, which has recently entered Hong Kong with an unclear purpose of stay. The yachting press often cited Jho Low as the owner of the vessel, but his lawyers have denied this. You may know Low from his alleged involvement in the 1MDB scandal. Some sources claim that he sold some artwork earlier this year, giving rise to speculation the yacht may be sold to raise funds for Low and his associates before it can be seized by the US authorities.
Earlier this week, footage emerged on social media of David Guetta and MC Hammer performing concerts on the 115-meter Pelorus. The #YachtCert involved no less than 5 superyachts, all anchored near the remote island of Bisevo in Croatia. Local sources suggest 115-meter Pelorus, 72m Kogo, 65m Infinite Shades (ex. Imagine), 54m Sea Force One, and 36m Galeocerdo were all gathered for the event in the Adriatic sea by Jimmy Lee, the son of a Chinese industrial. According to several reports, the yachts have been cruising together for a large portion of the summer.
85.6m Aquila (ex. Cakewalk) was re-delivered by the Cornwall-based, Pendennis Shipyard following a year-long refit programme which mainly focused on 750 square meters of the yacht's interior space. The largest yacht ever built in the US, Aquila has now become the largest yacht to have been refitted in the UK. Redman Whiteley Dixon and Susan Young Interiors collaborated on the refit which reconfigured the owner's suite, adding a 60-square meter private deck area and repositioned the Jacuzzi to the forward sun deck.
Dutch Yachting has recently shared the pictures of 53m trimaran Galaxy leaving IJmuiden, the Netherlands. Splashed at Latitude Yachts in Riga two months ago, the spaceship-like vessel features the exterior by Jean-Jacques Coste. The yacht was built from a GRP and carbon fibre composite and runs at 28 knots through twin 2600hp engines.
Mengi Yay Shipyard has successfully launched the Atlante Classic 35, a new explorer yacht designed for luxury expedition cruising. The vessel marks the shipyard’s first foray into the luxury yacht market following its traditional focus on commercial vessels.The 35-meter yacht features a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, designed by Mengi Yay’s in-house team. The vessel is equipped with twin Caterpillar C18 engines, providing a top speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. The yacht has a range of 4,000 nautical miles at 10 knots.The Atlante Classic 35 can accommodate up to 12 guests across 6 staterooms, including a master suite, VIP suite, and four guest cabins. The crew accommodation consists of 8 cabins for the crew of 10. The yacht features a spacious main deck saloon, an upper deck sky lounge, and an open flybridge with alfresco dining facilities.The interior design focuses on a contemporary style with natural materials and neutral tones. Key features include a large beach club area with a garage for water toys, a gym, and a spa area. The yacht is also equipped with zero-speed stabilizers for enhanced comfort at anchor.“The Atlante Classic 35 represents a significant milestone for Mengi Yay,” said Mehmet Mengi, CEO of Mengi Yay Shipyard. “We are proud to introduce our first luxury explorer yacht, combining our decades of experience in shipbuilding with modern technology and design.”The vessel is designed for worldwide exploration, featuring a shallow draft of 2.2 meters and a fuel capacity of 45,000 liters. The Atlante Classic 35 also incorporates advanced navigation systems and a state-of-the-art stabilization system.The yacht’s construction began in 2023, and after its launch, it will undergo extensive sea trials and final outfitting before delivery to its owner. The Atlante Classic 35 is expected to be completed in early 2025.Mengi Yay Shipyard, founded in 1972, is one of Turkey’s leading shipbuilders with a focus on commercial vessels. The launch of the Atlante Classic 35 marks the company’s expansion into the luxury yacht market.Credits: Mengi Yay
June 2, 2025
Moonen Yachts has secured the sale of its seventh 37.4-meter Martinique model (YN205) through IYC brokers Matthew Stone and Josh Marshall. The transaction marks the second in-house sale since IYC became Moonen's global sales representative.The American buyer selected the Dutch-built yacht for its customizable layout and indoor-outdoor connectivity. Construction will now extend beyond the original four-week delivery timeline to accommodate owner-requested modifications, including a hot tub installation."This sale demonstrates Moonen's flexibility in meeting client needs," said Matthew Stone, IYC Managing Partner. "The yard stood out among six competitors for its balance of quality, comfort and safety."Designed by René van der Velden with naval architecture by Diana Yacht Design, the 345GT Martinique features Hollander Yacht Design interiors. The yacht will undergo sea trials in the Netherlands before delivery to the U.S. East Coast later this year.Richard Gray, IYC's Head of Sales UK, noted: "This transaction reflects the effective collaboration between IYC and Moonen Yachts in our global representation partnership."The Martinique series continues to attract buyers seeking semi-custom steel-hulled yachts with Dutch engineering. Current construction progress indicates on-schedule completion of the customized modifications prior to sea trials.Moonen Yachts is a yacht builder based in the Netherlands, and its first yacht was built in 1964 under the original yard name of De Ruiter. In 1981, the yard was renamed Moonen Shipyards. It’s launching its first vessel under new ownership: Alhena. In 2017 Moonen Shipyards changed into Moonen Yachts. With the help of strong vision, innovative technology and new designers, Moonen is once again becoming the market leader in 30m to 50m luxury yachts.Credits: Moonen Yachts
June 2, 2025
Turkish yacht builder Numarine has launched two new explorer yachts - the 37-meter 37XP (hull 18) and 26-meter 26XP (hull 27), with a 32.6-meter 32XP (hull 14) scheduled for June delivery. All models feature designs by Umberto Tagliavini (naval architecture) and Can Yalman (exterior/interior)."The XP Series remains one of the most successful explorer ranges in the industry," stated Numarine Chairman Ömer Malaz. "Our yachts from 22 to 47 meters combine stylish design with functional features including ample storage and noise reduction."37XPThe new 37XP flagship offers 362 GT volume and 6,000 nm range at 8 knots. Its layout includes seven guest cabins, with main deck master suite and upper deck VIP option. The 83 m² flybridge and 9-meter tender storage highlight its expedition capabilities.32XPThe 32XP model maintains its position as the series' original offering since 2017, with 4,000+ nm range and six-cabin configuration. The 26XP features four cabins and 3,000 nm range, with optional solar panels and lithium batteries.32XPAll three yachts utilize steel hulls with composite superstructures, emphasizing long-range cruising and onboard comfort. The launches precede the anticipated July 2025 debut of Numarine's new 40MXP model.26XPNumarine, a European high-performance motor-yacht shipyard headquartered in Istanbul, offers a range of yachts from 19 to 45 meters.Credits: Kerem Sanliman; Ryan Alexander; all provided by Numarine
June 2, 2025
Oyster Yachts has introduced its new 24-meter 805 sailing yacht, developed with Humphreys Yacht Design. The model features a twin-access swim platform, configurable interior layouts, and solar-powered hardtop.CEO Ashley Highfield confirmed first delivery for 2027. The yacht offers 3.4-meter or 2.7-meter keel options, with the latter complying with Mediterranean seagrass regulations.Former Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös joins as strategic advisor, stating: "Oyster is very similar to what Rolls-Royce is all about with its relentless striving for perfection."The 805 includes four convertible guest cabins and Oyster's largest sub-30-meter owner's suite. Standard features include ultra-thin marble surfaces and 3kW solar generation.Oyster Yachts was founded in 1973 by Richard Matthews. For 52 years the British brand has created the world’s finest luxury bluewater sailboats.Credits: Oyster Yachts
May 30, 2025
The 2025 ICOMIA Congress, hosted by Spain's ANEN in Palma de Mallorca, concluded yesterday after five days of meetings and events. The gathering, held concurrently with IFBSO's annual congress, brought together marine industry representatives, including Italy's delegation led by Andrea Razeto of the Italian Marine Industry Association.Key discussions centered on three committees chaired by Stefano Pagani Isnardi: the Technical Committee addressed upcoming revisions to the European Recreational Craft Directive; the Superyacht Division examined IMO greenhouse gas reduction proposals and French anchorage restrictions; while the new Trade and Market Intelligence Committee analyzed global tariff developments. ICOMIA has launched dedicated online resources for Posidonia meadow protection updates and tariff tracking.Frank Hugelmeyer (NMMA) was elected ICOMIA President, succeeding Darren Vaux, with Finnboat's Jarkko Pajusalo as Vice President. The board expanded to include representatives from Spain, Turkey, Sweden, and Australia alongside existing members.The 2026 Congress is scheduled for May 24-28 in Washington, D.C., hosted by NMMA.Credits: The Italian Marine Industry Association; Eugene Zhyvchik/Unsplash
May 30, 2025