The world's billionaires have a long-standing history of owning some of the most luxurious yachts ever made. This can of course be explained through their wealth but also through their taste.
Following the release of this year's list of the world's billionaires by Forbes, we've decided to compile the list of the richest people who according to other media publications own a yacht.
#1 Musashi | Larry Elisson | $47 billion
The Japanese name of this Feadship XL-88 comes from the renowned samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, who is not only revered as the greatest samurai of all time but also as the author of The Book of Five Rings which deals with strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today. This choice of name does not come as a surprise knowing that Larry Ellison is an aficionado of Japanese culture.
Designed by the duo De Voogt Naval Architects/Sinot Yacht Design, the 87.78 metres of Musashi accommodate a total of 18 guests and a crew of 23. One of the two master suites faces forward on the upper deck, while the second one is aft on the bridge deck. Seven further double guest cabins are on the main deck.
#2 Senses | Larry Page | $35.2 billion
Delivered by Germany's Schweers yard in 1999, this superyacht was designed, built and engineered to rise to the challenges of exploring the world's oceans. Senses carries a comprehensive inventory of equipment and exceeds the expectations of any 21st century adventurer.
She is the opportunity for a truly unique lifestyle in luxury yachting with stylish, well appointed interiors designed by Philippe Starck.
Split-level decks provide open and shaded sun-lounging areas, secluded side pods, sheltered outdoor dining and informal seating areas, an airy and light gymnasium and a private beach club complete with Jacuzzi and vast sun beds. With impressive volume provided by six decks and a beam of 12.7m, Senses can store three tenders laterally, has full helicopter capability and a stern-launched 42' Nelson tender.
Water toys include no fewer than four high speed tenders, five waverunners, two jet skis, snorkeling gear, diving equipment and a range of towables.
#3 Dragonfly | Sergey Brin | $34.4 billion
Built by Silver Yachts in 2009, Dragonfly was hailed as the fastest, most fuel-efficient long-range cruising superyacht on the water. She has a transatlantic range at 22 knots and has a fuel consumption of only 360 litres per hour at 18 knots, extending her range to 4,500 nautical miles.
Previously named Silver Zwei her luxurious interior is designed by Silvestrin Design and her exterior styling is by Espen Oeino.
The superyacht offers accommodation for up to 18 guests, who are taken care of by a crew of 16. The most special feature is the yacht's foredeck helipad that doubles as a guest sitting area. Also she has two tender garages, one forward and one aft, the latter converting to a beach house following the launch of the tenders.
#4 Symphony | Bernard Arnault | $34 billion
Symphony, formerly known as Project 808, was launched in January 2015. She is the first Feadship yacht to exceed the 100-metre mark, surpassing the builder's previous flagship, 99-metre Madame Gu, launched in 2013. It's also the first Feadship yacht built to be fully compliant with the new Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) regulations, which allows for pleasure yachts to carry 13 to 36 passengers. Building with PYC has allowed for a custom interior that makes use of veneers, leathers and exotic materials that are compliant with the new rules. She is also certified for chartering with helicopter operations.
The yacht features exterior design by legendary yacht designer Tim Heywood with naval architecture by Feadship's De Voogt Naval Architects. Her accommodation is spread over six decks, with up to 20 guests hosted in six staterooms, including one full-beam VIP cabin, double owner's stateroom and additional guest cabins on the lower deck.
Symphony is also kitted out with a gym, a beauty salon and massage room and carries no less than three custom Pascoe tenders of 9.6, 8.3 and 7.85 metres, as well as two wave runners, two Seabobs, windsurfers, watersides and various inflatable toys. Her layout includes an observation lounge, bar and Jacuzzi on the sun deck, while the bridge deck features a terrace and outdoor cinema. The main deck hosts a six-metre contraflow, glass-bottom swimming pool with waterfall, and below the pool on the lower deck is a lounge, beach club and wellness centre, as well as an ultra-high-definition megayacht cinema.
#5 Moneikos | Leonardo Del Vecchio | $19.1 billion
Moneikos was built in 2006 by Codecasa in 2006 to a Della Role Design. The yacht can reportedly accommodate up to 16 guests in 8 cabins.
With a beam of 11.2 meters, the yacht can cruise at a speed of 14 knots for 6,000 nautical miles.
#6 Tatoosh | Paul Allen | $17.5 billion
Tatoosh is a 92.42m motor yacht, built by Nobiskrug for mobile phone magnate Craig McCaw. Then the vessel was purchased by Paul Allen for a reported $100 million. Allen also owns the motor yacht Octopus. The yacht's interior has been designed by Terence Disdale and has exterior styling by Kusch Yachts, Studio Yacht.
The owner's accommodation incorporates two deck levels and is designed for total privacy, with a full beam bedroom, family room, observation lounge, gymnasium and a private office along with two children's cabins. She can sleep 20 guests overall in a further nine double staterooms and two cabins for four staff. Amenities aboard include a cinema and a heated swimming pool with contra-flow jets and Tatoosh also has two helicopter pads.
#7 Kingdom 5KR | Prince Alwaleed | $17.3 billion
Kingdom 5KR was launched by Benetti in 1980 and was one of the world's largest yachts for many years. The 85.9 metre yacht was designed by Luigi Sturchio and originally named Nabila.
The yacht has not had a quiet life. She featured in the James Bond movie Never Say Never Again and was owned for a time by 2016 candidate for President of the United States, Donald Trump. However she can now usually be found berthed at the International Yacht Club in Antibes.
The superyacht features five decks, a disco, a cinema with seats for 12 and 2 double beds, 11 opulent suites, a helipad on top (its funnels are sloped outward to avoid interference with the helicopters), a pool with a water jet on top in front of the heliport, 2 Riva tenders, a crew of 48, a top speed of 20 knots, and cruising speed of 17.5 knots.
#8 Venus | Laurene Powell Jobs | $16.7 billion
A 78 metre aluminum yacht engineered by De Voogt Naval Architects with styling by Philippe Starck was launched in 2012 and last refitted in 2015.
One of the best Feadship superyachts of all time, Venus has a wealth of interesting design features, from her highly innovative glass exterior design to the reported high-tech amenities. The yacht is extremely secret with no interior images ever seen.
The new photos show Venus emerging from her refit with a gleaming hull, and close-up pictures give a look at intriguing details of the yacht. The bridge on Venus, for instance, is packed with Apple computers.
Sadly, Steve Jobs passed away in 2011 before the yacht was launched and never got to enjoy his vessel.
#9 Archimedes | James Simons | $15.5 billion
Archimedes is a 68.00m (223.09 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Feadship in 2008 making the yacht 8 years old. With a beam of 12.30m and a draft of 3.50m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 1462 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
She is powered by Catepillar 3516B DITA engines of 2,000hp each, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 16 knots and cruise at 12 knots for 7500 nautical miles.
She can accommodate 8 guests in 4 cabins with an interior design by John Munford and an exterior design by John Munford.
#10 Pacific | Leonid Michelson | $14.4 billion
The 85,2m yacht was built by Lurssen in 2010. The yacht's interior has been designed by Bannenberg & Rowell Design and exterior styled by German Frers.
Pacific offers accommodation for up to 12 guests. She is also capable of carrying up to 28 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.
The yacht has a unique colour, which seems to change in the sun.
Little more is publically known about Pacific. She has been designed and built to be a blue water superyacht made for the ocean and she will no doubt be able to explore long distances in trying conditions if required. While not plumb, her bow is reasonably sheer and it raises to an ample height above the waterline with good flare which is ideal for challenging ocean and weather conditions.
#11 Dilbar | Alisher Usmanov | $12.5 billion
Launched by Lurssen in November 2015, the superyacht was reportedly built for Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who owns a 110 metre superyacht Dilbar, which has now been renamed Ona.
Not a lot is known about this project, only that 156m Omar could possibly be the largest yacht in the world measured by gross tonnage. It is understood that her exterior design is by Espen Oeino with interiors by Andrew Winch. Omar's construction materials of a steel hull and aluminium superstructure are confirmed.
The megayacht has recently been spotted in Germany heading out on sea trials. Omar is due to be delivered in 2016.
#12 C2 | Ronald Perelman | $12.4 billion
Little is known about C2, Eminence, Amaryllis, Titan and her share the same hull platform.
C2 is a 78.00m (255.90 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Abeking & Rasmussen in 2008 making the yacht 7 years old. With a beam of 12.14m and a draft of 3.20m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 2050 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
#13 Nirvana | Vladimir Potanin | $12.1 billion
Built by Oceanco in 2012, Nirvana was the star of the Monaco Yacht Show the following year busting an aquarium aft and a set of revolutionary features.
With a jungle-themed interior design, the yacht features two spa pools and extensive lounging accommodations. Designed by Sam Sorgiovanni, the yacht has a transpacific range and a maximum speed of 19.5 knots.
The yacht was previously listed for sale asking 199 million euros but was supposedly taken off the market without any sale occurring.
#14 Tango | Viktor Vekselberg | $10.8 billion
Tango is a 78.00m (255.90 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Feadship in 2011 making the yacht 5 years old. With a beam of 12.20m and a draft of 3.65m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 1250 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
#15 Amevi | Lakshmi Mittal | $9 billion
Part of the, at the time, new initiative by Oceanco to move to larger yachts, Amevi was allegedly delivered to Lakshmi Mittal for the 2007 summer season.
Amevi is a 80.00m (262.46 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Oceanco in 2007 making the yacht 8 years old. With a beam of 14.20m and a draft of 3.90m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 2500 tones.
#16 A | Andrey Melnichenko | $8.4 billion
There is perhaps no more noticeable shape than the Philippe Starck design of superyacht A. Built by Blohm and Voss in 2008 out of a steel hull and aluminum superstructure for owner Andrei Melnichenko, A has a length of 119 meters.
Crewed by 42, A is capable of accommodating 14 guests in 7 luxurious cabins. With her upside-down exterior line, A has a draft of over 5 meters which allows for plenty of volume as well as increased stability. With a meticulous attention to detail, A's interior uses wood furniture with natural light to reach an innovative style.
#17 Palladium | Mikhail Prokhorov | $7.9 billion
With an original design by Michael Leach, Palladium, formerly Project Orca, is thought to be own by Mikhail Prokhorov, Russian oligarch and owner of the Brooklyn Nets.
Palladium is a 95.15m (312.17 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Blohm + Voss in 2010 making the yacht 5 years old. With a beam of 16.00m and a draft of 4.40m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 6000 tones. She is classified by Lloyds + MCA.
#18 Mayan Queen IV | Alberto Bailleres Gonzalez | $7.6 billion
Owned by Mexican billionaire, Alberto Bailleres, Mayan Queen IV, formerly known as Project Safari, has been built as a replacement vessel for his previous 49m Feadship, MQ2.
Mayan Queen IV is a 93.25m (305.93 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Blohm + Voss in 2008 making the yacht 7 years old. With a beam of 15.88m and a draft of 4.25m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 3879 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
She can accommodate 16 guests in 8 cabins with an interior design by Terence Disdale and an exterior design by Tim Heywood.
#19 Eclipse | Roman Abramovitch | $7.6 billion
Demoted from the rank of the largest superyacht in 2013 by Azzam, Eclipse has dominated for 3 years the superyacht rankings with a tremendous length of a 160m. Owned by Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich, Eclipse , is now the flagship of the Blohm + Voss yards.
Built in a shroud of secrecy in 2010 to a design by Terence Disdale, Eclispe features a 16-meter long swimming pool convertible into a dance floor, a three-man private submarine, an exterior fireplace as well as space for six tenders and three helicopters.
#20 Rising Sun | David Geffen | $6.6 billion
Built by Lurssen Yachts to a famous Bannenberg exterior design, the 138m Rising Sun has beam of 18.5m and a draft of 5m. She is powered by 4 MTU engines of 12,230 hp each giving Rising Sun a maximum speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 26 knots.
Originally commissioned by Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, the project was supposedly extended by 18 meters to become larger than the 126 m Octopus owned by Microsoft owner Paul Allen. Half of it was sold a year later to David Geffen, media mogul, who bought the remaining share in 2010.
#21 Seven Seas | Steven Spielberg | $3.5 billion
Owned by Steven Spielberg, Seven Seas features a large cinema, several large televisions and a large swimming pool aft.
Seven Seas is a 86.00m (282.15 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Oceanco in 2010 making the yacht 5 years old. With a beam of 14.02m and a draft of 3.96m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 2658 tones. She is classified by MCA.
She is powered by MTU engines of 4680hp each, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 20 knots and cruise at 15 knots.
She can accommodate 12 guests in 7 cabins with an interior design by Nuvolari & Lenard and an exterior design by Nuvolari & Lenard
#23 Radiant | Abdulla Al Futtaim | $3.1 billion
Built by Lurssen yachts in 2009 to a famous Tim Heywood exterior design, Radiant has a length of 110m, a beam of 16.2m and a draft of 4.6m. With a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, these metrics add up to a gross tonnage of 5,027 tones.
Commissioned by Boris Berezovsky, Russian billionaire who died in London in 2013 after having lost a huge lawsuit against Roman Abramovitch, his rival in the Russian market, the yacht was supposed to rival Abramovitch's Pelorus. The yacht has cost a reported 270 million $ to build but was sold, 10% away from completion to Abdulla al-Futtaom, UAE billionaire. The sale resulted in a lawsuit between Ousmanov and Edmiston for a 6 million commission that was ultimately paid to the brokerage firm.
#24 Ocean Victory | Victor Rashnikov | $1.87 billion
Ocean Victory was built for Russian billionaire, Victor Rashnikov and delivered in 2014.
#25 Lady Lara | Alexander Machkevich | $1.65 billion
Owned by Kazakh billionaire Alexander Machkevitch, the 91m long superyacht embarked her first sea trials in July. It is believed that Machkevitch still owns his previous yacht, which has been put on the market this year for $35million.
The superyacht's noticeable features include VIP suites with fold down balconies, a large beach club, a gym, Jacuzzi, a swimming pool and even a helipad. Lady Lara has a full displacement hull and an aluminum superstructure. Her exterior and interior design comes from Reymond Langton.
The insolvent shipyards owned by Lars Windhorst in Schleswig-Holstein are set to be taken over by new investors. The appointed administrators have presented two buyers, while Windhorst has made a last-minute offer in an attempt to regain control.According to preliminary insolvency administrator Christoph Morgen, the Heinrich Rönner Group from Bremerhaven will acquire the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG). Work at the shipyard is expected to resume shortly, focusing on completing a ferry for the Australian shipping company SeaRoad. The vessel has been docked for an extended period. The Nobiskrug shipyard in Rendsburg, meanwhile, will be taken over by the Lürssen Group from Bremen, as confirmed by preliminary insolvency administrator Hendrik Gittermann.Both shipyards are currently owned by Windhorst’s Tennor Group. Windhorst entered the Flensburg shipyard in 2019 and later acquired the Rendsburg facility. Over time, both shipyards reportedly struggled with financial difficulties, leading to complaints from employees about a lack of orders and materials. Insolvency proceedings were initiated after social security providers filed claims over unpaid contributions. The administrators also discovered over 150 official notices in the offices, including enforcement orders and court documents.Despite the planned takeovers, Windhorst has not abandoned efforts to retain the shipyards.Credits: Yacht Harbour archive
January 31, 2025
The 26.7-meter power catamaran Laniakea, built by Latitude Yachts, is now available for purchase through Northrop & Johnson's yacht broker Ed Cavendish at a price of EUR7,500,000. Scheduled for delivery in 2026, the vessel is constructed from a lightweight carbon-fiber composite and features a shallow draft of 0.62 meters, making it suitable for coastal cruising and accessing shallow waters.The interior, designed by Chulhun Park of Latitude Yachts, has an open-plan layout with a main salon that integrates dining, lounging, and galley areas. Large, angular windows provide natural light and panoramic views. The interior design features beige and cream tones, wood accents, and blue details. Geometric wood paneling and integrated LED lighting contribute to a contemporary aesthetic.The owner's cabin includes a custom window overlooking the water. Guest accommodations consist of two VIP cabins, a double cabin, and an option for two additional cabins, allowing Laniakea to accommodate up to 10 guests. Two crew cabins provide space for onboard staff.The aft deck includes a dining area and a tender platform with a 500kg lift. The foredeck is designed for relaxation, with sunpads, seating, and glass bulwarks.Powered by four BMW-engineered waterjet engines, Laniakea has a top speed of 26 knots and a cruising speed of 16 knots. The yacht incorporates solar panels on the superstructure and smart onboard systems for navigation, climate control, and entertainment. It is also capable of silent operation for up to six hours.Established in 2007, Latitude Yachts quickly gained recognition when its Quality Management System was certified by Bureau Veritas in 2011. By 2016, the shipyard launched the ocean-class trimarans, including the renowned Galaxy of Happiness.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
January 31, 2025
The Italian Sea Group continues outfitting work on the 82-meter Admiral Galileo megayacht at its Marina di Carrara shipyard. Designed by the company's R&D department in collaboration with London-based Bannenberg & Rowell Design for the interiors, the yacht is constructed from steel and aluminium.The current phase includes the installation of technology systems, navigation instrumentation, and the completion of interior and exterior spaces. According to Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group, "We are executing every phase of the project with the utmost attention to detail, ensuring that Galileo stands as the ultimate expression of luxury and innovation."Galileo features four decks with large windows and extensive lounge areas exceeding 100 square metres on each level. The owner’s cabin, located on the upper deck, spans 130 square metres. Other notable features include a waterfall connecting two of the yacht’s four pools, an underwater cinema lounge, and a beach area with a gym, spa, and massage room. The yacht can accommodate 12 guests and 28 crew members.One of the design elements is a visible engine room, integrated into the yacht’s interior through a corridor linking the spa area to the upper deck foyer. The delivery of Admiral Galileo is scheduled for early 2026.The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credit: TISG
January 31, 2025
Custom Line concluded 2024 with the launch of two new yachts, bringing the total number of vessels introduced at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona to 18 over the past year. Among the launches were the Custom Line 50, the brand’s first all-aluminium 50-meter displacement superyacht, and the Custom Line Navetta 38, a 299 GT displacement yacht. The first units of these models were launched in January and November, respectively.Custom Line 50The shipyard completed eleven launches in the Navetta line, six in the planing line, and one in the aluminium superyacht line. A new Custom Line Navetta 30 was launched on December 4, marking the 22nd hull in this displacement line. The yacht, measuring 28.43 metres in length with a beam of 7.3 metres, was developed by the Product Strategy Department and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, in collaboration with ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel for the interiors and Filippo Salvetti for the exterior styling. Custom Line Atelier provided strategic consulting to adapt the interior design to the owner's stylistic preferences. Custom Line Navetta 38The year concluded with the launch of the 33rd Custom Line Navetta 33 on December 16. The vessel was developed by the Product Strategy Committee and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, with Custom Line Atelier overseeing the owner's requests. The yacht, measuring 33 metres in length with a beam of 7.52 metres, was designed for charter operations and includes a number of customised features such as pullman beds in the guest cabins, additional storage units, and cocktail bars on the sun deck. The interior incorporates materials such as Irish Green marble in the master bathroom and American walnut flooring. The yacht’s colour scheme reflects the owner's preference for sage green, integrated in various elements throughout the interior.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
January 30, 2025
Ocean Independence recorded a 22% increase in retail charter income in 2024 compared to the previous year, with several yachts in its Central Agency Fleet surpassing typical seasonal booking targets. The most frequently booked yacht was Onyx, securing over ten weeks of charter, followed closely by E-Motion and Isotta.OnyxChief Commercial Officer Toby Maclaurin stated, “We are very pleased with the 2024 charter result. It was a key pillar to the company’s overall performance and we expect a similar, if not better, result in 2025. Chartering large yachts is in vogue and we are well prepared to meet the needs of a wide variety of customers with our portfolio. Of course, we can also reserve any other available charter yacht for our customers.”The list of top-performing charter yachts in 2024 was led by Onyx, a 25.48-meter Ferretti-built yacht from 2007. The vessel accommodates up to ten guests in four staterooms and offers a spacious aft deck, alfresco dining areas, and a hot tub. Charter rates start from EUR 40,000 per week.E-MotionE-Motion, a 40-metre Sunseeker, was also among the most-booked yachts. It offers accommodation for ten guests across five staterooms, including a full-beam master suite and convertible twin staterooms. Charter rates begin at EUR 170,000 per week.IsottaIsotta, a Ferretti 1000 motor yacht, was another high-performing vessel. It features an innovative aft beach area and a spacious flybridge. The yacht accommodates up to ten guests in five staterooms, with rates starting from EUR 114,000 per week.VertigeVertige, a 50-meter yacht built by Tankoa in 2017, also saw strong bookings. The aluminium-built vessel features minimalist deck spaces and a contemporary interior by Francesco Paszkowski, accommodating 12 guests in six staterooms. Charter rates start at EUR 270,000 per week.HuboHubo, an Azimut 85 delivered in 2015, remains a popular choice among charterers. The yacht accommodates eight guests in four staterooms, including a full-beam master suite. Rates start from EUR 40,000 per week.With demand for large yacht charters increasing, Ocean Independence is advising early bookings for the 2025 season. Helene Delstanche, Group Charter Fleet Manager, commented, “To secure your dream yacht, I suggest calling us rather sooner than later. 2025 bookings are already strong, and demand will only get higher as we get closer to springtime.”Credits: Ocean Independence
January 30, 2025