The number of yachts over 80 meters has sharply increased over the past few decades and, with Lurssen launching 3 megayachts over 100 meters in under a week, it seems we have now entered into the golden age of megayachts.
Project Jupiter
In the past week, Germany-based Lurssen has launched the 123-meter Project Jupiter, the 111-meter Project TIS and an unknown 130m+ superyacht which does not seem to be matching any known project at the shipyard. The shipyard's phenomenal growth however does not stop with those 3 projects as the German builder has the 75-meter Thor, 85-meter Sasha, 112-meter Palo Alto and 139-meter Redwood under construction at the moment with the 106-meter Project Mistral having already undergone sea trials earlier this year.
This demand for megayachts is however not specific to only Lurssen. Dutch-based, Oceanco have recently launched a new 88.5-meter superyacht and have completed a 106-meter sailing yacht which are now moored together at their Alblasserdam facility. The shipyard is also working on the 110-meter Project Jubilee, which is scheduled to become the largest yacht built in the Netherlands upon its delivery, and is rumored to be a replacement for Ronald Perelman's C2.
Project Jubilee
Turquoise Yachts, the new brand of Proteksan Turquoise following its acquisition by Oceanco's billionaire owner, Al Barwani back in 2014, is also working on a megayacht of its own with a 77-meter as well as a 66-meter already in construction. Another player in the megayacht space in Turkey has emerged to be Bilgin. Indeed, the shipyard has just announced it had sold a second 80-meter superyacht to a repeat client, having had already sold their first 80-meter hull to a repeat client back in October 2015. Turkey-based, Dunya Yachts are also building 100m Project Blade for the owner of Axioma.
Project Blade
More established players in the yachting industry are also strengthening their position in the expanding market at the same time. LVMH-backed Feadship, has recently delivered Steve Wynn's 92-meter Aquarius, a year after delivering 101-meter Symphony to LVMH CEO, Bernard Arnault. Italy-based Benetti is also working on a new flagship with a 107-meter megayacht currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2019.
Understandably, this growing demand for megayachts has sparked interest amongst shipyards normally specializing in smaller ranges of the market. Heesen, who have just delivered their latest flagship, the 70-meter Galactica Super Nova, are now working on an 85-meter dry dock to be able to expand their flagship size. Amels, who are about to deliver their 83-meter flagship, Here Comes The Sun, have also announced their plans to compete in the 80-110m space through their Full Custom division.
Here Comes The Sun
All of this demand at existent shipyards is also complemented by commercial shipyards, venturing into superyacht construction. Norway-based, Kleven have for example recently delivered Ulysses to New Zealand's richest man, Graeme Hart and are working on a 116-meter yacht for the same owner.
The brokerage side of the megayacht market is also becoming more active with the recent listing for sale of M/Y A by Andrei Melnichenko, the 115-meter Ona (ex. Dilbar), by Alisher Usmanov and the recent reported sale of Pelorus to a Chinese billionaire. Our guess it's therefore just a matter of time before the 200-meter barrier is breached.
65m superyacht Zazou has made her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show. The 65m custom yacht was launched in Livorno last April. She has an aluminium superstructure and steel hull painted in "Carinthia blue". Her exterior design was made by Giorgio M. Cassetta. Zazou interior was designed by Dutch studio Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, who used marbles, woods and light colours for the yacht's decoration. Zazou exterior "I like to think of the interior as a musical composition. When you hear it for the first time you like it, but when you listen to it for a second time you start to hear another instrument or a chord that you didn't hear before. If you walk on board Zazou you will notice that it's an embracing atmosphere. When you sit down you will start to discover all the little details which make the boat rich and luxurious," says Paul Costerus of Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design at the presentation of Zazou. Upper deck salonThe design signature of Sinot is clear to see throughout Zazou, where the studio managed to create a light-filled and inviting interior atmosphere, characterized by a contemporary luxury style and a neutral palette accented by various contrasting and colourful details in the accessories and furniture. This homely environment is an inspiration to spend precious time together with family and friends.Main salonShe can accommodate 12 guests in six staterooms, including an owner’s suite which is located on the main deck. She features a dining and cinema / relaxation zone at the aft. the 90 sq. m sky lounge, massage room, five meter infinity pool at the sun deck. DiningThe garage, forward of the main deck, houses a 7.5 meter tender, two jet skis and a rescue tender. The engine room hosts a couple Caterpillar 3512C’s for a maximum speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. The range at 12 knots is 5,000 miles.Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. They design, build and sell composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminium boats from 37 to over 100m. Their fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom, to meet all the needs of the market, and they belong to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Benetti
September 27, 2021
The Turkish shipyard RMK Marine and the Italian design studio Hot Lab presented the 50m concept superyacht Aries. The name of the newest concept relates to the zodiac sign. The superyacht will have a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. She will be an explorer yacht with a range of 5,000 nautical miles and ability to visit the most remote world areas. The owners can choose between a diesel engine or a mixed diesel-electric engine with lower fuel consumption. Aries will have a large beach club with hydraulic platforms. The large tenders and water toys can be stored underneath.The design is made not only for exploration, but also for pleasure and relaxation in the Mediterranean. The interior design and configuration of the newest concept will be customised according to the owner’s wishes. RMK Marine is the Turkey superyacht builder. The shipyard was founded in Halic, Istanbul to construct boats in steel, aluminium, and composite in 1978 joined the Koç Group of Companies in 1997 and was renamed RMK Marine, is located in Tuzla. RMK Marine specializes in building, repairing and maintenance of commercial, naval vessels and super yachts. Credits: Hot Lab
September 27, 2021
Lürssen has announced the new superyacht Project JASSJ. The 103m vessel will be overseen by Moran Yacht & Ship New Construction. At the moment we don’t have a lot of information, but it is already known that the design will be handled by the UK's premier yacht design studio Redman Whiteley Dixon. The yacht will be accommodated by 22 guests in 11 cabins and will feature a spacious beach club aft, a full-beam gym and extensive outdoor space for entertainment and relaxation. First details were released during the Monaco Yacht Show 2021. More details will come later. Lürssen is a German shipyard with headquarters in Bremen-Vegesack and shipbuilding facilities in Lemwerder, Berne and Bremen-Aumund. Founded in 1875, Lürssen is one of the world's leading builders of custom luxury superyachts and has launched many of the largest yachts in the global fleet, including Octopus, Rising Sun, and Azzam.Credits: Lürssen
September 27, 2021
Sea Machines announces 1,000 nautical miles remotely commanded autonomous long-distance journey of discovery and demonstration.September 30, 2021, marks the start of The Machine Odyssey, an epic voyage to circumnavigate Denmark with a commercial vessel commanded by marine officers seated in the United States.Intrepid vessel, the Nellie Bly, will be controlled by Sea Machines’ SM300, an autonomy system leveraging cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence, giving the riding crew the ultimate confidence and comfort:1. route planning and navigation via ENC-based GUI and GNSS localizations;2. dynamic situational awareness with computer vision, radar, AIS, depth transducer, IMUs, audio and streaming video;3. obstacle detection and collision avoidance with dynamic path re-planning;4. true redundancy of remote communications with fail-over, long-distance cellular radiosThe SM300 enables operators to remotely command and monitor multiple autonomous vessels from a shipboard or shore-based center. The shore-based center is located 3,500 miles away in Boston, Massachusetts. The system is managed by the Sea Machines team, which developed and refined the SM300 to the advanced product it is today. From the remote command center, marine officers will plan and manage the daily journey, and will monitor and oversee the autonomous operations.
September 24, 2021
New FD80 Skyline by Horizon Yachts during construction to a first-time yacht owner.This latest FD80 will be named Parabolic and features an enclosed skylounge configuration with a full-beam master stateroom on the main deck and three guest cabins on the lower deck, with crew quarters for four and a beach club situated aft.Plentiful deck areas distinguish the FD80 from any competition, and the owner of Hull 5 customized the upper deck layout to accommodate two jet skis on the boat deck aft along with a six-person Jacuzzi with counter seating and a bar area. The foredeck is fitted with a large sunpad and U-shaped seating with dinettes for enjoying the view at anchor. A large dining table for eight occupies the main deck aft, while additional dining can be enjoyed at the convertible dining table in the main salon.Throughout the interior, light anegre wood with walnut highlights is complemented by expansive windows and a light ash flooring for a bright and airy feel. The main salon features a dayhead and seating area with an off-white leather sofa to port and a fold-down television, console and convertible dining table to starboard. The galley is situated forward to port and features privacy glass and a bar area with three stools.The master stateroom occupies the forwardmost area on the main deck, while two VIP en suites and a convertible twin comprise the lower deck accommodations. The anegre and walnut finish continues throughout these areas as well.On the topmost deck, the customized enclosed skylounge configuration houses the wheelhouse with twin helm chairs forward and an L-shaped seating area facing a pop-up television and storage just aft.The owner worked with Horizon’s in-house design team to select a bright and cheerful soft goods package in a theme inspired by the Ginko tree that adds pops of blue, green and coral red hues complemented by decorative forms representing the ocean, earth, passion and geometry, all of which are intended to represent life’s infinite cycle peppered with the unexpected.Parabolic will be on display at FLIBS October 27 – 31. Upon delivery, the owner plans to cruise the U.S. East Coast and Caribbean aboard his new yacht. Founded in 1987, Horizon Yachts has celebrated 30 years as one of the largest luxury yacht builders in the world as well as the number one builder in the Asia Pacific region. In the past three decades, Horizon has delivered over 855 luxury yachts, with more than 220 of these over 80 feet in length. Popular models ranging from 52 to 150 feet include motor yachts, superyachts, power catamarans, expedition yachts, and fast displacement motor yachts.Credits: Horizon Yachts
September 24, 2021