A South Korean designer is working on plans for a yacht that, if built, will be worthy of a James Bond villain. The so-called ‘Valkyrie Project’ gigayacht measures an incredible 750 feet, or 229 metres – nearly a quarter of a kilometre.
To put that into perspective, 750 feet is the equivalent of 24 nose to nose double decker busses, or two whole football pitches. That puts the world’s current biggest yacht, Azzam to 2nd place. Azzam measures 590 feet.
It puts even the likes of research expedition superyacht REV, currently being built in Romania, in the shade. The new boat will top Azzam, but come in at a significantly smaller length than Valkyrie Project with its 600 feet.
Even more impressive, the yacht would have its own casino, art galleries, theatre and restaurants. It could house 52 guests along with 92 crew members, though the owner would have an entire deck entirely for their own use. It would sail at a respectable speed of 25 knots.
So who will buy it?
That all comes with a hefty price tag, however, with the cost of the yacht projected to be a massive $775 million, or £600 million.
The massive project is the design of Chulhun Park, 36, and was designed in partnership with yacht builders Palmer Johnson as part of his university course. Park, who comes from Seoul in South Korea, says that the vessel would be made of aluminium wrapped around a carbon fibre structure. He has some interesting thoughts on the shape of the ship, too.
"When I decided to be a yacht designer, I realized that most yachts are white coloured and stacked up like wedding cakes," Park says. "Therefore, I was determined to design a very unique looking yacht which would stand out of the fleet. I tried to manipulate the structure's surface skin and create non-rectilinear shapes which appear to distort and dislocate elements of shape."
While the yacht would most likely be privately owned, as the inclusion of an exclusive deck for the owner suggests, Mr Park doesn’t envisage it as exclusively for the use of one ultra-rich owner, but rather as an exclusive and luxurious hub for dining, entertainment and gambling.
"Most people consider super yachts to be an exclusive property for billionaires to show off their wealth,” Mr Park said. "However, what if we create floating architecture to be used by everyone?”
‘Everyone’ would most likely, in this case, be relative given the cost of building and maintaining a yacht so decadent. It could, however, become the playground of the merely rich rather than the exclusive preserve of the mega rich.
The on-board casino
One particularly unique feature would be the inclusion of a casino. While casinos are relatively commonplace on commercial cruise liners and have been found on them for years (and you probably wouldn’t struggle too hard to find poker rooms or limited table games on many larger private yachts), this may be the only fully featured gambling house built in a private yacht.
The casino feature certainly furthers Mr Park’s conception of the boat as a sort of private, highly exclusive cruise ship for entertaining the rich. It’s easy to imagine private, high stakes games taking place out on the high seas.
One thing that would have to be accommodated for, however, is the pitching and rolling created by the yacht’s motion in the water. Larger cruise ships tend to be more stable thanks to their size, but on a ‘smaller’ boat, even one that’s 750 feet long, the movement of the boat on the water could result in affecting how a roulette ball settles on the wheel or how a dice rolls. There are, of course, mechanisms and systems that can limit a ship’s movement.
Another concern might be security, and if high stakes casino games were played on the yacht it might be necessary to take out measures beyond the norm and stick to safer waters. Modern day piracy can be a serious concern for ships that find themselves in the wrong waters.
The games on offer
Of course, where the boat is, and the demographic of the guests, could have an impact on the selection of games on-board. If Mr Park’s dream comes true and the yacht is available for everyone, the games will need to reflect that. There are a whole host of weird and wonderful casino games out there, and their inclusion on the yacht should be considered if everyone is to feel welcome.
Pachinko would be a welcome addition, the complex laws surrounding gambling in Japan mean the machines often double up as an arcade game – making them perfect for younger guests and for use when the ship is close to the coastline in certain parts of the world.
Abiding by the law
There are also the complex gambling laws governing the world’s oceans to contend with. In the US, for example, the yacht will have to be three or more miles from the coastline around most of the country if it wants to avoid falling under the jurisdiction of state gambling laws. Along the coastline of Florida and Texas that distance jumps even further to nine nautical miles.
In the waters surrounding other countries the necessary distance can be even greater still to escape the reach of prohibitive legislation. In many places it’s as many as 12 nautical miles.
Beyond those distances, the ship would legally be in the territory of whatever country it is registered in. For the casino to run smoothly, whoever was in command of the yacht would have to have a firm grasp of the intricacies of gambling laws in different countries to avoid running afoul of them.
This is all academic at this point, of course, as Project Valkyrie hasn’t made it off the drawing board. Still, a billionaire wanting to gamble within reach of his or her home might buy or build the boat, register it somewhere with relatively liberal gambling laws like the United Kingdom and then use it as a floating base for gambling that they can’t take part in on their home shores.
One thing’s for certain, with its $755 million price tag, expect any games that do get played on Project Valkyrie to be the territory of some serious high rollers.
In an elegant ceremony held in Viareggio, the eighth installment of the Mangusta GranSport 33 set sail into the azure waters, marking yet another milestone for the renowned yacht series.Crafted at the intersection of avant-garde design, artisanal expertise, and cutting-edge technology, this vessel is the epitome of nautical excellence. Designed in collaboration between Alberto Mancini and Ovemarine Group's technical department, the Mangusta GranSport 33 offers a seamless blend of sophistication and performance.Measuring 33 meters in length, this yacht effortlessly combines high-speed cruising capabilities of up to 25 knots with spacious and comfortable interiors, ideal for extended voyages across diverse waters.A hallmark of this vessel is its expansive interior spaces, totaling 228 gross tons, meticulously designed to cater to the discerning tastes of the owner and their guests. The on-deck master stateroom, spanning over 40 square meters, sets a new standard of luxury in its class, complemented by two VIP cabins and two guest cabins on the lower deck, all benefiting from the innovative IPS propulsion system.With a keen focus on owner-centric design, every aspect of the Mangusta GranSport 33 reflects a harmonious fusion of functionality and elegance. From the panoramic glazed surfaces to the iconic infinity pool at the stern, every detail has been meticulously curated to enhance the onboard experience.Powered by four Volvo Penta D13 735kW engines paired with IPS pods 1350 drives, the Mangusta GranSport 33 boasts a shallow draught of only 1.9 meters, ensuring versatility in navigation without compromising on performance.Equipped with a spacious aft garage accommodating a large tender, water-skis, and an array of water toys, this vessel promises unparalleled leisure and entertainment options for its guests.Sold in collaboration with brokerage house HMY, this Mangusta GranSport 33, delivered to a U.S. owner, exemplifies the ongoing success and global appeal of the series. Overmarine Group was founded in 1985 by the Balducci family. The shipyard builds open and displacement power superyachts under the Mangusta and Mangusta Oceanco brand names. Credits: Overmarine Group
April 26, 2024
Van der Valk embarked on a monumental endeavor with the construction of Project EVO, a bespoke 40-meter superyacht. This ambitious project, the largest ever undertaken by the yard in terms of length and volume, promises to redefine luxury at sea. The owners were inspired by an exceptionally attractive design from Franco Gianni of SFG Yacht Design and Doga Naz Cebeci from Fancy by Dada, Project EVO boasts a sleek exterior and meticulously detailed interior.Ordered by seasoned clients with a penchant for high-performance vessels, Project EVO symbolizes the culmination of their yachting aspirations. With a vision to craft a tailor-made masterpiece for their family, the owners turned to Van der Valk, drawn by the promise of Dutch precision and excellence. The yacht's design journey, intricately guided by the owners, involved a transformative evolution led by Cristiano Gatto Design.Cristiano Gatto reflects on the project's inception, stating, “Our collaboration began with a shared vision to infuse the interior ambiance into the exterior design, culminating in a harmonious fusion of aesthetics.” The resulting profile, a synthesis of innovative proportions and lines, reflects the collective ingenuity of the design team.Beyond aesthetics, Project EVO is engineered to deliver unparalleled performance, with a round-bilged fast displacement hull and a target top speed of 24 knots. Compliant with ABS class standards and IMO Tier III emissions regulations, the yacht exemplifies Van der Valk's commitment to superior craftsmanship and environmental sustainability.<iframe title=vimeo-player src=https://player.vimeo.com/video/937794356?h=3c621b1611 width=640 height=360 frameborder=0 allowfullscreen></iframe>With accommodations tailored for ten guests across lavish staterooms and crew quarters, Project EVO promises a luxurious retreat at sea. Yoeri Bijker, head of sales at Van der Valk, affirms the yard's capability in delivering bespoke superyachts of exceptional quality, stating, “Project EVO epitomizes our dedication to excellence, offering clients the opportunity to realize their yachting dreams without compromise.” 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
April 26, 2024
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April 25, 2024
As the Palma International Boat Show commemorates its 40th anniversary, it sets its gaze firmly on the future with two groundbreaking initiatives: an economic impact study and certification as a sustainable event. Organized by the Regional Ministry of Enterprise, Employment, and Energy, in collaboration with the Balearic Islands Institute for Business Innovation (IDI) and the Balearic Yacht Brokers Association (BYBA), the fair opens today at Palma’s Moll Vell.The economic impact study, conducted in partnership with the Directorate General of Economics and Statistics of the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Innovation, aims to assess the fair's contribution as an economic driver for the city and the region. Simultaneously, the fair is pursuing certification as a sustainable event, committing to minimizing its carbon footprint and promoting responsible practices.With a record 295 exhibitors, including international companies, the event promises to showcase an array of quality nautical products across its 86,000-square-meter venue. Notably, the Palma Superyacht Village will feature a dedicated area for boats over 24 meters, complemented by the introduction of the Superyacht Square, emphasizing innovation and sustainability.As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Balearic Superyacht Forum, the first international superyacht forum in the Balearic Islands, will convene around 300 industry professionals, enthusiasts, and experts to discuss the sector's future. Additionally, the fair will pay tribute to the companies that have contributed to its success over the years, recognizing their pivotal role in shaping the event's legacy.The 40th-anniversary festivities will culminate in a series of activities on April 26th, featuring music, entertainment, and a captivating drone show. Credits: The Palma International Boat Show
April 25, 2024
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April 25, 2024