Yacht news

Turkish yard Alia Yachts has announced the sale of a custom-built 65-meter superyacht, currently under construction at its Antalya site. Provisionally designated as hull ALY651, the steel and aluminum project is destined to become the company's flagship upon delivery.The project marks a continuation of Alia Yachts' collaboration with Dutch studio Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, known for their work on the 45-meter San. For naval architecture, the project relies on Netherlands-based Diana Yacht Design, which promises to incorporate the capacities and amenities typical of an 80-meter yacht, including five cabins – featuring an owner's suite with a private lounge – and a hydraulic swimming pool that can be raised to create a large, open entertainment area on the main deck aft.Additional amenities include a hot tub on the sundeck and another, larger one on the foredeck reserved for the owner's exclusive use.Gökhan Çelik, President of Alia Yachts, expressed enthusiasm about the project, highlighting the shared passion for yachting and the expertise gained over decades. He expects the project to showcase the company's ability to integrate innovative design and modern technology with high-quality materials and finishing.Alia Yachts was founded in 2008 by Gokhan Çelik and Omer Koray. Located in the port of Antalya on the beautiful Turkish Riviera, Alia Yachts shipyard currently occupies approximately 8,000 m2, including three construction halls with their suites of specialist workshops and a dedicated interiors facility. With an additional 16,000 sq. m under development for 2019, Alia Yachts will rank among the top facilities in the region.Credits: Alia Yachts

Ocean Independence introduced the 41.8-meter Vikingfjord, the most environmentally sustainable explorer ship in the polar regions, available for charter. Formerly a Norwegian maritime vessel, VIKINGFJORD has been transformed into a luxurious exploration ship specifically designed for polar expeditions, minimizing its ecological footprint through features such as an ice-strengthened hull and a biodiesel-capable engine.The vessel accommodates up to 12 guests in seven cabins, including five doubles that can be converted to twins and two singles, all thoughtfully appointed with ensuite bathrooms and large windows to maximize natural light and create a spacious, inviting atmosphere. Designed with Scandinavian inspiration, the interiors reflect a sense of openness and tranquility, updated in 2023.A highlight of the Vikingfjord is its dedicated observation lounge, offering panoramic views of the polar landscape and serving as an educational hub for guests. Expert-led presentations provide insights into the unique wildlife and ecosystems of the region, enriching the overall experience. Post-exploration, guests can relax in the hot tub under the midnight sun, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Arctic.Vikingfjord allows guests to actively engage with the Arctic ecosystem, offering prime opportunities to observe wildlife such as whales, orcas, and polar bears. Equipped with two zodiacs, the ship enhances accessibility to remote areas, enabling thrilling explorations guided by experienced expedition leaders. Charter guests can also customize their itineraries according to their interests, discovering the untamed beauty of destinations like Svalbard and Greenland.With its sustainable design and commitment to preserving the pristine polar environment, Vikingfjord invites travelers to embrace a luxurious yet minimal-impact adventure in the Arctic.Credits: Ocean Independence

Saxdor Yachts is gearing up for a prominent showing at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025, unveiling the U.S. debut of its Saxdor 340 GTWA. Following its successful introduction at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2024, where it garnered considerable praise, the 340 GTWA is poised to make a splash in the U.S. market, showcasing its innovative design and all-weather versatility.Partnering with MarineMax as its exclusive dealer in the region, Saxdor is intensifying its reach in the United States, backed by a growing dealer network and enhanced after-sales support. The brand has registered double-digit growth in the U.S., particularly thriving in coastal areas, and is now expanding into central regions, targeting large lakes as new markets for its innovative products. The Saxdor 320 and 400 remain popular among American boaters, and the company is eager to introduce the 340 GTWA to broaden its offerings. Erna Rusi, CEO of Saxdor Yachts, emphasized the significance of launching the 340 GTWA in the U.S., stating that it adds to the brand’s fleet of eight models, providing greater choices for American boaters. Keith Miller, VP of North American Sales, noted that the 340 GTWA’s spacious layout, adaptability to varied weather conditions, and premium features make it an ideal fit for boaters in locations such as Florida, the Great Lakes, and the Pacific coast.Already receiving acclaim in Europe, the 340 GTWA has won several awards, including the Design Innovation Award 2024 and the Motorboat of the Show title at Helsinki Vene 25 Båt. It has also been nominated for the European Powerboat of the Year 2025, cementing its standing as a top contender in its category. With serial production underway, the 340 GTWA promises to raise the bar for performance, functionality, and style in the U.S. boating market. Looking ahead, Saxdor remains committed to fleet expansion and innovation, with the upcoming Saxdor 460 set to debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025. Simultaneously, the company is bolstering its production facilities in Finland and Poland to meet rising global demand while upholding high manufacturing standards.Since its inception in 2019, Saxdor Yachts has experienced exponential growth, producing over 1000 boats and capturing the industry’s attention with their innovative approach. Now, with the introduction of the Saxdor 400 GTO, Saxdor Yachts aims to make waves in the 40-45 ft sport boat market, leveling up from the game-changing entry-level 200 and mid-range 320 models.Credits: Saxdor Yachts

The Italian Sea Group concluded the first edition of its Vision Brokers Day event with significant success, attracting sixty of the world's most influential yachting brokers from various regions.Held over two days at the company's headquarters in Marina di Carrara, the exclusive event provided participants with a deep dive into The Italian Sea Group's productive reality, showcasing its distinct product range, commercial strategies, and core competencies. The workshop highlighted the pivotal role of the Research & Development office, emphasizing innovation and customization as cornerstones of the organization's vision.Moreover, the event spotlighted The Italian Sea Group's unprecedented industrial challenge, managing simultaneous construction of mega and gigayachts, possibly unprecedented in the history of yachting. To manage this complexity efficiently, the company implemented an innovative Industrial Process & Planning approach, leveraging advanced methodologies and software from high-engineering sectors like automotive. This approach orchestrates the entire production cycle structurally and synchronously, optimizing each phase of construction.Participants had the rare opportunity to tour the shipyard, including departments for 3D design, carpentry, and furnishing, a unique feature in Italy. This integration of design and production reduces errors and optimizes the customization process.Visits to internal business units, such as the Steel Mill and Upholstery Department, highlighted the Group's capability to perform a significant portion of its fabrication internally rather than relying heavily on external suppliers. This model ensures direct quality control and continuous improvement in cost and process management.Combining internal fabrication with exclusive use of 3D design empowers The Italian Sea Group to preserve and enhance its extraordinary know-how."Gianmaria Costantino, Chief Commercial Officer of The Italian Sea Group, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of this first Vision Brokers Day event," stating, "This initiative strengthened our relationships with international brokers, creating new partnership opportunities and reinforcing our global presence. The high attendance and interest shown by participants confirm the value of our vision and capabilities."Through this event, The Italian Sea Group reaffirmed its commitment to continual evolution, refining processes, skills, and solutions to meet the highest industry expectations and solidify its leadership in the international luxury yachting market.Credits: The Italian Sea Group

Damen Yachting has successfully launched the third vessel in its acclaimed Yacht Support 53 series at its state-of-the-art facility in Antalya. This significant achievement marks a new chapter in the company’s history of delivering high-performance support yachts, combining Dutch engineering excellence with innovative design.The newly launched YS5303 is set for delivery in summer 2025 following its final build stage, outfitting, and sea trials. Joining the series are two previous successful models: Bad Сompany Support 175, designed for deep-sea fishing and scientific missions, and Five Oceans, built for exploration and conservation efforts.Pim Oostra, Project Manager for YS 5303, emphasized the milestone: “Today’s launch signifies the maturation of our Yacht Support design into a full-fledged series. We are excited to progress through the final build stages towards completion this summer.”The Yacht Support range represents the pinnacle of offshore support vessels, renowned for their reliability, sailing characteristics, and unparalleled functionality. With over 20 purpose-built support yachts delivered, Damen Yachting continues to set industry standards.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