Yacht news

Built by Feadship in 1983, the interior and exterior of this legendary yacht was made by Jon Bannenberg for the visionary Mexican tycoon Emilio Azcárraga, alongside her sister ship Paraiso, Azteca made waves in the yachting world with her avant-garde design. AztecaUpon her arrival at Aykin Marina & Shipyard in February 2022, the yacht embarked on a comprehensive transformation, culminating in her relaunch in April 2024. Initial glimpses of her exterior reveal a modern reinterpretation of her distinctive forewindows, complemented by a striking navy hull accented with crisp white detailing. Original interior Among the notable enhancements is the extension of the stern by 3.2 meters, accompanied by a complete overhaul of the transom and sundeck. The latter, achieved through the removal of the original roof structure, promises an elevated onboard experience. Inside, yacht's interiors have undergone a thorough revitalization, with particular attention paid to the conversion of her original television lounge into an additional guest cabin.KoruThe yacht was renamed Koru and now she also boasts revamped technical systems, including a comprehensive overhaul of her main engines, ensuring seamless operation and reliability for future voyages.As Koru emerges from her transformative journey, she stands ready to embark on new adventures, soon the yacht will be available for sale.Credits: Ocean Technical; Feadship

The team at Damen Yachting has confirmed the delivery of YS 53, Bad Company Support 175. This 53-meter Yacht Support is the first of the YS 53 design series and has been handed over to her Owner, sports fisherman Anthony Hsieh. Bad Company Support 175 will now take on an ambitious ocean-going deep-sea fishing and conservation programme as part of the Owner’s Bad Company fleet.The vessel's design and performance have been meticulously tailored to cater to the Owner's preferences. Bad Company Support 175 will not only serve as fast support to the fleet, she will also operate as a main hub for Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean based activities providing a technical and functional base for equipment and dedicated programmes as well as long and short term onboard living and accommodation facilities for the Owner and his specialist crew.“As the Project Manager for Bad Company 175, I am honoured to have been part of the build of this remarkable vessel – the first in the series.” Salih Saim Kaya, Project Manager Damen Yachting.Throughout the project, communication with the Owner's representative, Neil Emmott, has been open and transparent, ensuring effective collaboration and understanding of the Owner's specific requirements. Neil Emmott explains: “In pursuit of a lifelong dream, the Owner's involvement has been crucial in shaping the project, with enhancements based on his personal and very specific requests, such as accommodating a game boat, including a helicopter hangar, adding a custom jacuzzi, transforming the main deck lounge into a dedicated strategy meeting room, and integrating a Starlink antenna for improved connectivity.”Damen Yachting, a division within the Damen Shipyards Group, was created in 2019. The division combines the pedigree and heritage of Amels yachts with a growing portfolio of SeaXplorer yachts and Yacht Support vessels.Credits: Damen Yachting

Baglietto is celebrating its fourth launch this year – last week the Italian shipyard launched the third T52 hull and named Akula.The exterior was designed by Francesco Paszkowski Design, who chose a dark gray shade for the body, which gives this unit a powerful and aggressive look. Enrico Gobbi's design team was responsible for the interior. The Italian Yacht Group as the owner's representative and Fabrizio Lai of Interyachting LLC as the surveyor supervised the entire construction process on behalf of the owner.All the features that ensured the success of this line are preserved here - from the open stern, on which the beach club is located on 3 levels, to the sky lounge on the upper deck, which opens on 3 sides thanks to fully concealed floor-to-ceiling windows, are preserved. At the same time, as in the previous case, a number of innovative solutions can be found on the yacht. The aft part was also redesigned, the garage was replaced with a comfortable gym, and 2 jet skis and a 5.5-meter tender were moved to the bow.The technical launch took place in the presence of the shipyard’s workers, while waiting on the formal ceremony to be held at the beginning of the summer season, when the yacht will be officially delivered to her owner.“We are now stepping into the bustling season of deliveries,” comments Baglietto’s CCO Fabio Ermetto. “This year, as many as 4 T52 vessels and 2 yachts in the DOM133 series will be hitting the water. And, although each yacht is part of a specific line, she is in fact truly one in her kind and the outcome of a long journey made side by side with the Owner. The launch is the culmination of this process”.Baglietto Spa is an Italian boat builder based in La Spezia specializing in new aluminum light alloy yachts ranging between 35m and 50m in length and steel and light aluminum alloy displacement megayachts starting at 40m.Credits: Baglietto

Emerging from a highly secretive five-year construction period, Alvia, formerly known as Project Hanami after the iconic Japanese cherry blossom festival, has finally set sail. The 76.1m custom superyacht was handed over to her owner at the Royal Van Lent shipyard in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on April 30. This remarkable vessel has only been unveiled once before, with her bare hull arriving at the building shed in 2021. Following meticulous craftsmanship, Alvia made a brief appearance outside the Kaag Island drydock in August 2023 for the installation of her stylized mast on the top deck.Originally sold by the Burgess brokerage team in 2019, construction on Project Hanami commenced shortly thereafter. The Burgess technical services team spearheaded the project from pre-contract specification to launch, collaborating closely with the owner's representatives and top-tier engineers and designers in the industry.The exterior design of Alvia was expertly crafted by RWD, while De Voogt handled her naval architecture. Constructed from a blend of steel and aluminum, the vessel boasts a sleek displacement hull, a classic flared bow, and graceful, sweeping lines. Exterior highlights include a 6.4-meter pool on the main deck aft and a versatile sports court on the foredeck. Additionally, the bridge deck features interactive lighting to illuminate your sky-high gatherings.With a generous beam of 13.2-meter, Alvia offers an impressive interior volume of 2,265 GT. Designed by RWD and Susan Young Interiors, the spacious living quarters are easily accessible via an elevator, ensuring convenience for all aboard. The owner's deck features folding balconies that expand to create additional alfresco relaxation areas as desired. Another notable feature is the lower deck wellness center, complete with a gym, spa, and scenic sea terrace.While Burgess did not disclose specific propulsion details, Alvia boasts a transatlantic range of 5,500 nautical miles, allowing effortless navigation between her preferred cruising destinations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.Based in the Netherlands and with roots dating back to 1849, Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of the Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.Credits: Burgess

Project 821, the world's first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht was launched on May 4 at Feadship's Amsterdam shipyard. Enter Project 821, the pioneering hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht that promises to redefine eco-conscious luxury on the seas. Half a decade in the making, this trailblazing vessel represents Feadship's bold endeavor to push the boundaries of green technology in the superyacht industry.Crafted under the visionary design of RWD and guided by Edmiston's expert representation, Project 821 embodies Feadship's commitment to environmental stewardship. Utilizing a groundbreaking zero-diesel approach, this innovative yacht is equipped to navigate between harbors and anchorages while running its hotel load and amenities on clean, emission-free power sourced from green hydrogen. Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship's Director and CEO of Royal Van Lent Shipyard, underscored the project's global significance, stating, "The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project, but for the world."Feadship's dedicated research and development team has been at the forefront of exploring hydrogen and other fossil-free fuel alternatives in line with the company's ambitious goal of achieving "net zero" yachts by 2030. Hydrogen fuel cells, renowned for their combustion-free electricity generation, offer a sustainable solution with pure water as their sole byproduct. Despite their proven track record in other industries, integrating hydrogen fuel cells into maritime applications presented unique challenges, including the absence of regulations for hydrogen storage and fuel-cell systems. Collaborating with industry partners like Edmiston and Lloyd's Register, Feadship spearheaded the development of scaled equipment, safety protocols, and regulatory frameworks.One of the primary challenges faced during the project was the development of a viable solution for storing compressed liquid hydrogen onboard a luxury yacht. Despite the technological hurdles, investing in hydrogen technology is crucial for transitioning away from fossil fuels, with hydrogen emerging as one of the most efficient and clean alternatives. Project 821's innovative fuel-cell technology, which also accommodates methanol as a liquid fuel option, represents a significant milestone in sustainable yacht design.Project 821's environmental impact extends beyond its revolutionary propulsion system. With meticulous attention to detail, the yacht incorporates advanced waste heat recovery systems and smart energy management solutions to minimize its carbon footprint further. Its spacious interior, meticulously crafted by RWD Studio, offers a seamless blend of luxury and sustainability, featuring light neutral colors, textured fabrics, and eco-conscious materials.Project 821 stands as a testament to Feadship's unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability in the superyacht industry. As the largest motor yacht ever launched in the Netherlands, this visionary vessel sets a new standard for environmentally conscious luxury, offering unparalleled comfort and performance while treading lightly on the planet. With its exemplary design and green credentials, Project 821 represents a bold step towards a more sustainable future for yachting.Based in the Netherlands and with roots dating back to 1849, Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of the Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.Credits: Feadship