Top 5 photos of the week

Fincantieri, the major Italian shipbuilding company, truly impresses by its numbers throughout the long history of presence in the industry. It is based in Trieste, the capital of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, northeast Italian region at the Adriatic Sea. Photo: FincantieriThe group is multinational and has twenty shipyards across the world - in Europe, the Americas and Asia. 60% of its approximately 19,000 employees work outside Italy. With a turnover of over 4 billion euros, the company builds both commercial and military vessels.Photo: FincantieriHere is a short chronological overview of this major shipbuilder’s milestones:Fincantieri was founded in 1959 as a State financial holding aimed at overseeing the main shipyards of Italy. In those times it included 8 different companies involved in ship building, repair and engine construction.Later on, in 1984, all these companies along with the holding itself converted into an operating company, the only one to have preserved the old traditions of Italian shipyards. In the 1990’s Fincantieri delivered the Crown Princess, its first cruise ship, to the Carnival Group, and, thus, began its work in the cruise industry. Photo: FincantieriIn 1991 the 67-metre Destriero was build at the Muggiano yard in La Spezia - the yacht that, almost immediately - in 1992, set the world record for the fastest transatlantic crossing with no refueling. Photo: FincantieriBefore 2001 the company focused mostly on designing and manufacturing of high value-added products which, along with cruise ships, included ferries and naval vessels. Over 50 ships were delivered over this period, 13 of them were for the Italian Navy.The Mega Yachts sector appeared among Fincantieri’s business areas after 2005. The “Fincantieri Yachts” line is aimed at the creation of large luxury yachts, specializing in both design and construction. Photo: FincantieriWith the acquisition of Manitowoc Marine Group in the USA (which became Fincantieri Marine Group) in late 2008 and the foundation of Etihad Ship Building LLC in 2010 the company confidently went on with global development and joined the US defence market. Serene, Fincantieri’s first 134-metre mega yacht, was delivered in 2012. A true masterpiece of luxury, quality and technical innovation, it deservedly won the “World Superyacht Award”Photo: FincantieriIn 2013, after the acquisition of the Norwegian group Vard, Fincantieri group doubled in size and became the fourth largest in the world (as per 2014).Photo: FincantieriThe group was quoted on the Italian Stock Exchange in 2014. The company Marine Interiors was created In the same year. It specializes in design, refitting and turnkey cabins delivery. Photo: FincantieriFurther on, in 2015, Fincantieri SI and Fincantieri (Shanghai) trading Co. Ltd. were established.

Douce France, also known as ‘the Gentle giant’, is the largest schooner sailing catamaran in the world. This luxurious and exquisite vessel has been introduced to potential buyers - for the first time in more than 15 years.The catamaran is 42.2-metre long, with a beam of 15.4 metres, and features 6 cabins to comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests. Built in 1998 by Alumarine, Douce France has an aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure. The maximal range is estimated at 3,500 nautical miles.Refitted in 2015 the yacht has been continuously upgraded and is unbelievably well-maintained. Designed for adventure, yet she has a warm and intimate feel. The schooner can achieve 13-knot speed under engine thanks to her new main engines. Newly installed feathering Maxprop propellers improve the ship’s performances even more. The new headsail furlers and renewal of the running rigging, including the lazy jack system, are part of the recent upgrades. Her shallow draft and fine line on the water means she allows you to set sail to discover the world's most beautiful and unspoiled places. Douce France’s sleek lines reveal just how fast she is. Douce France graces the tropical blue waters with her gentle yet impressive appearance. Designed by world-renowned naval architects and multi-hull specialists VPLP (Van Peteghem and Lauriot Prevost), she is an elegant, sophisticated and sexy catamaran. Her shallow draft allows you to set sail to unspoiled places, and her sleek lines mean that she can achieve high speeds under sail.Her latest upgrades include 3 new silent Kohler generators, new headsail furlers, autopilot and the latest VSAT satellite connection. These upgrades, combined with great maintenance, makes her readier than ever for long and off the beaten path adventures.Douce France has been under Exmar Yachting’s professional technical management since 2004. This means the new buyer has the unique opportunity to receive years worth of information and insight about her history, specifications as well as previous itineraries. She’s proven to be very popular on the charter market, a potentially interesting feature for her new owners. Douce France’s interior is the essence of elegance. Guests appreciate her spaciousness: with her large deck spaces and six air-conditioned staterooms, Douce France’s layout is perfectly catered towards hosting large groups or families.The galley, situated below deck, leaves room for a spacious saloon. This incredibly generous saloon has a private office space and library to enjoy. The wooden floors are smooth to the touch, creating a warm and inviting feel throughout the interior. As Douce France has incredibly spacious decks, guests have a choice of multiple lounge areas where they can wine and dine, enjoy a cocktail or simply sit back and relax. There is the spacious cockpit, pleasantly shaded by the overhang of the flybridge; the flybridge itself, perfect for enjoying a cocktail while observing the captain; the intimate lounge to retreat to on cooler evenings; the aft deck, where you can dine under the night sky in the warm breeze; and the trampolines, which lend themselves as an exquisite sunbathing area while enjoying the refreshing ocean spray.Douce France has plenty to offer to active guests. With a large selection of water sports equipment, you can enjoy a range of activities such as water-skiing, kayaking, sailing, fishing and windsurfing. She also has all the diving equipment to explore life below the waterline. The large, hidden swimming platform drops below the waterline, allowing you easy access back on board.

Bold is a 85-metre luxury explorer yacht which was launched in 2019 by SilverYachts. The yacht sails under the Flag Of The Marshall Islands and accommodates up to 16 guests in its 8 spacious en-suite cabins, as well as 21 crew-members.The yacht exterior was designed by Espen Oeino, and the interior - by Vain Interiors. The vessel can reach a maximum speed of 23 knots, while its engines guarantee a range of 7,000 nautical miles at the cruising speed of 14 knots. After the success of the 70-metre motor yachts of the Silver Line, Bold is equipped with the same hydrodynamic and eco-friendly technologies but provides almost twice the volume at 1,600 GT. Most of the accommodation for guests is located on the main deck. Owner's deck with the Owner's suite and the spacious main salon can be reached from a central staircase. Beautiful handmade silk carpets by TaiPing, cosy coffee tables with plush armchairs and sofas can be found in the area within. The zone behind the main salon features the winter garden, where most of the guests may gather for sophisticated dining at a 14-seat table covered with marble. Utmost comfort and delight are guaranteed by the possibility to cordon off by closing up glass panels and enjoy panoramic views in full climate-control.The exterior of this huge vessel, which might even seem a warship at first sight, features a helideck convertible into a disco zone. If a party is to be thrown, even a wedding or a ball, the ship can easily fit around 200 people.Bold is the 5th largest superyacht built by the SilverYachts shipyard. It is owned by the German businessman Guido Krass.

The Turkish manufacturer Numarine, which is among the country’s and region’s leaders in the industry, has launched a new superyacht of the 32XP series at its yard in Istanbul. The vessel is ready for sea trials which will take place in the Bosphorus in the nearest time - before the eventual delivery to the owner.The interior, with the predominance of white colour, has been designed by the famous Italian Hot Lab, whilst the exteriors Can Yalman, naval architecture Umberto Tagliavini. With a crew of five, the yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests in her six en-suite cabins.Photo: NumarineBuilt from a steel hull and GRP superstructure, the yacht has a bright modern appearance with the contrast of vivid aquamarine and discreet creamy colours of the hull and superstructure respectively.Photo: NumarineThe new 32XP’s maximal speed is of 14 knots with a cruising speed of 12 knots and a range of 4,000 nautical miles at 8 knots. Numarine’s Chairman, Omer Malaz, emphasized that he is proud of the company’s efforts made to create “such a strong product”.

The Dutch manufacturer has launched the new 36-metre motor yacht which continued the Martinique line. Back in summer is was bought by a middle Eastern client, and trials will be started soon. Photo: Tom van Oossanen“I have always wanted a Moonen, but it was unclear when,” as the newly made happy proprietor has stated. “It’s, in fact, a smaller size yacht, but can easily compare with the largest superyachts in the world quality and style-wise”.Photo: Tom van OossanenThe vessel is indeed an efficient and enviable solution for a yachtman: she can cross the ocean and, thus, take the travellers onto an unforgettable world cruising in a small package. The range in nautical miles is 4,000 with the cruising speed of 10 knots, reaching 16.5 knots when at her full power.The yacht’s designers are the outstanding René van der Velden, Studio Indigo and Diana Yacht Design.Photo: Tom van OossanenKokoro is perfect for luxurious and relaxing pastime - she has got a large saloon on her vast main deck, a roomy master suite, dining area and an up-to-date galley. There is also a swimming platform and nice relaxation areas at the aft deck. What’s more - there’s a true winter garden in the second lounge area at the bridge deck which transforms into an entertainment room, either indoor or outdoor.The sun deck is equipped with a sound system and makes a great chilling zone for a nice company to seat, sunbathe, enjoy the bar and grill.The boat can accommodate guests in its 4 additional staterooms on the lower deck, all equipped with private bathrooms.