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.
Project Tanzanite, a 120-meter Amels Full Custom superyacht, has reached the next stage of construction following her launch at the Damen Yachting facilities in Vlissingen. At 6,083 GT, she is the largest new build completed by Amels to date.The yacht first entered the Netherlands in June 2023, arriving from Damen Yachting’s hull building facility in Galati, Romania, where the hull had been constructed. Since then, she has been prepared for outfitting at the shipyard’s facilities in Vlissingen City. In the weeks leading up to the launch, Project Tanzanite was floated inside the dock before moving into open water.With the yacht now in Vlissingen for the final phase of work, more than 1,000 people, including Damen Yachting teams and members of the international superyacht supply chain, will contribute their expertise over the next year. Completion is scheduled for 2026.Project Tanzanite is a one-off Amels Full Custom design. The exterior is by Espen Øino, while details about the interior remain undisclosed. Damen Yachting provided the naval architecture for the project.Key figures for the yacht include a length of 120 meters (394 feet) and a gross tonnage of 6,083.Credits: Amels
September 5, 2025
Ferretti Group will present six world premieres at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025, held September 9–14, alongside a fleet of 25 yachts. The debuts include models from Ferretti Yachts, Itama, and Riva: the Ferretti Yachts 800, Itama 54, Riva Aquariva Special, Riva Cento, Riva 58’ Capri, and Riva 112’ Dolcevita Super. These will be joined by the Ferretti Yachts 940 and Pershing GTX70, introduced earlier this year in Venice. Wally will also be present with the wallywind110 in the sailing section at Port Canto.The Ferretti Yachts 800, designed with Filippo Salvetti and Ideaeitalia, measures 24.47 meters in length with a beam of 5.91 meters. It offers large windows, an optional salon sliding door, and a 40-square-meter flybridge. Powered by MAN V12 engines, it reaches up to 31 knots.The Itama 54, styled by Tommaso De Luca, features a double-cockpit layout with seating for 10, extended side glazing, and a lower deck with two cabins. Its LOA is 16.44 meters with MAN engine options up to 850 hp.The Riva Aquariva Special updates the long-standing Aquariva line with new navigation lights, redesigned windscreen, and expanded swim platform while maintaining analogue helm instrumentation. It measures 10.07 meters and reaches 41.5 knots.The Riva Cento, marking the 100th Rivamare, introduces new color options, integrated stern handrail, and a convertible interior dinette. With an LOA of 11.88 meters, it is powered by twin Volvo Penta engines.The Riva 58’ Capri is an evolution of the 56’ Rivale with three cabins, a fixed hardtop, and garage options for tenders and water toys. Its length is 17.27 meters with speeds up to 37 knots.The Riva 112’ Dolcevita Super, at 34.37 meters, features fold-out terraces in the stern, redesigned flybridge, and two interior layout options. Twin MTU engines deliver speeds of up to 25.5 knots.Also on display are the Ferretti Yachts 940, a 28.97-meter widebody yacht with five cabins and floor-to-ceiling glazing, and the Pershing GTX70, a 21.76-meter model with expanded exterior areas and a sundeck split into three zones.Ferretti Group’s presence at the show will be accompanied by a range of luxury partners including Range Rover, Flexjet, Dolce & Gabbana, Frette, Venini, and Lavazza, among others.Credits: Ferretti Group
September 5, 2025
Sanlorenzo S.p.A. announced consolidated financial results for the first half of 2025, reporting €454.1 million in net revenues from new yacht sales, representing a 9.4% increase compared to H1 2024. EBITDA reached €80.5 million, an 8.5% year-over-year increase. The company maintained a robust order backlog of €1.44 billion, with 93% of orders already sold to final clients.Chairman and CEO Massimo Perotti stated: "The first half of 2025 reflects the resilience of Sanlorenzo, the strength of our brand, and the timeless desirability of our yachts. Even in a global environment marked by trade tariff uncertainty and broader macroeconomic pressures, we have delivered stability and measured growth."Order intake increased 29.9% to €419.5 million, driven particularly by strong demand for yachts exceeding 30 meters. The net backlog stood at €985.2 million as of June 30, 2025, providing approximately one year of revenue visibility.Regional performance showed Europe accounting for 58.8% of revenues (€267.1 million, +15.4% YoY), Americas contributing 21% (€95.3 million, +38.6% YoY), APAC at 12% (€54.4 million, +5.8% YoY), and MEA representing 8.2% (€37.3 million, -41.3% YoY).Division performance varied: Superyacht Division revenues increased 10.2% to €137.1 million, while Yacht Division declined 6.6% to €225.8 million primarily due to market conditions below 30 meters. Bluegame Division decreased 10.9% to €43.6 million, and Nautor Swan Division contributed €47.5 million since its 2024 acquisition.The company reported net profit of €46.6 million, a 7.0% increase from H1 2024. Net working capital remained positive at €86.6 million, though inventories increased to €186.7 million due to production ramp-up and distribution hub expansion.Sanlorenzo confirmed its 2025 financial guidance, citing strong product pipeline including three new yacht debuts at the Cannes Yachting Festival and the upcoming delivery of the 74Steel model. The company continues to focus on yachts under 2,000 GT where it believes the risk-return profile remains most favorable.Sustainability initiatives progress includes development of bi-fuel green methanol propulsion technology, though the launch timeline for the 50 X-Space project has been adjusted to align with expected infrastructure availability toward the end of the decade.The company maintains its net financial position with €8.3 million net debt as of June 30, 2025, following dividend payments of €34.7 million and €11.1 million share buyback program execution during the period.Sanlorenzo was founded in 1958 in Viareggio by yacht builder Gionvanni Jannetti. In 2005, Massimo Perrotti became the majority shareholder in the shipyard. Sanlorenzo builds yachts ranging from 28.60 to 73 meters in length. Credits: Sanlorenzo
September 5, 2025
Italian marine manufacturers Castoldi and Nauta have developed the Jet Tender 34 Limo, marking Castoldi's first entry into the limousine tender segment. The 10.4-meter vessel will serve as ship-to-shore transportation for a new boutique cruise ship fleet under construction in Italy, with four limousine tenders and two support vessels ordered per vessel.Giacomo Castoldi, CEO of Castoldi, stated: "This project represents a new chapter for Castoldi that expands our offerings to new markets, while maintaining the commitment to innovation, quality, and luxury we are known for." The collaboration utilizes Castoldi's waterjet propulsion technology and semi-serial production capabilities combined with Nauta's design approach.Nauta Director Guido Valtorta noted: "Typically, limousine tenders are custom-made for large yachts, but this project allowed us to merge bespoke luxury with the efficiency of semi-serial production." The design incorporates multiple boarding points, configurable seating arrangements, and ceiling lighting systems aimed at creating spacious interior environments.Technical features include Castoldi's ACES electronic control system and waterjet propulsion designed for commercial vessel applications. The tender achieves cabin cooling within 15 minutes and incorporates noise-reduction systems within rub rails. The platform allows for Open Limo and Support Vessel configurations through modular design principles.The first unit is scheduled for delivery in late 2025, with project presentation planned for the Monaco Yacht Show. The tender measures 10.4 meters in length with limousine-style enclosed cabin accommodation. Production follows semi-serial methods rather than custom one-off construction, representing a new operational approach for Castoldi in this vessel category.The partnership combines Castoldi's marine engineering capabilities with Nauta's yacht design experience, targeting the growing market for luxury tender operations in cruise ship and superyacht sectors. The design emphasizes functional elements including pantry facilities and toilet accommodations within the compact hull form.Credits: Nauta
September 4, 2025
Extra Yachts has launched the X145 Global, a 44-meter explorer yacht designed for long-distance cruising. The steel-hulled vessel features an aluminum superstructure designed by Agon Studio, with interior spaces by Hot Lab.The yacht offers 4,000 nautical mile range with five deck levels and 9.1-meter beam while maintaining under 500 GT volume. The layout places all five guest cabins on the main deck utilizing maximum beam width, with an owner's private terrace on the bridge deck. Crew accommodations include four double cabins with ensuite bathrooms on the lower deck.Technical specifications include dual-mode hull design balancing performance and fuel efficiency. Storage capacity includes an 8.5-meter tender, rescue boat, two jet skis, and additional water toys in the aft garage. The beach club area provides 80 square meters of space with fold-down platforms and day facilities.Interior design incorporates large glazed surfaces, oriental-inspired details, and open-plan layouts emphasizing spatial perception. The upper deck features 360-degree viewing lounge with separated dining and seating areas connected by a central staircase.The X145 Global represents Extra Yachts' expansion into the explorer yacht segment, combining extended range capabilities with contemporary interior aesthetics. The design prioritizes crew operational areas with dedicated mess and laundry facilities alongside professional galley space.The yacht's configuration focuses on long-term autonomous operation with reduced fuel consumption parameters compared to traditional motor yachts of similar dimensions. The explorer market continues to show growth as owners seek vessels capable of extended itineraries with self-sufficient capabilities. Extra Yachts continues production at its Italian facilities, with the X145 Global positioning the brand in the 40-45 meter explorer segment. The company's product range includes both fiberglass and metal-hulled yachts with varying mission profiles from coastal cruising to global expedition capabilities.Extra Yachts specializes in the development of yachts with a strong personality. Its distinctive lines are combined in a variety of motor yacht models ranging from 76' to 130' and a 30-meter motor catamaran. Developed thanks to the advanced technical experience of ISA Yachts, Extra offers customers all the advantages of being part of the Palumbo Superyachts network.Credits: Extra Yachts
September 4, 2025