Yacht news

On May 16, 2019, Dutch builder Feadship opened officially its new eco-conscious superyacht facility in Amsterdam, with Queen Máxima of the Netherlands being the key figure of the ceremony. It is the builder’s second facility operated by Royal Van Lent, brought into operation after five years of planning, design and construction.Accommodating the general trend towards ever-larger superyachts, the facility was designed for construction and refit of Feadship superyachts of up to 160 metres in LOA. With its total volume of 425,000 cubic metres, the new facility measures 38 metres in height, allowing plenty of air above the yacht’s mast array.Feadship declares the new yard ‘the most eco-friendly superyacht yard in the world’ thanks to its eco credentials, namely energy efficiency, heating by local waste-to-energy sources and LED lighting. What is more, the main building roof is covered with over 2,000 solar panels, for generation of estimated 550,000 kWh of energy yearly.The Amsterdam site will become Feadship’s fourth facility and the second one to be operated by Royal Van Lent, along with the Kaag Island yard. The two premises will share the same management by LVMH Group and the workforce of 450. LVMH Group managing director, Antoni Belloni highlights: This new facility will allow Feadship to stay at the cutting edge of innovation and continue to build superyachts that will change history.Following the opening, Queen Máxima viewed nineteen classic yachts presented on the Feadship quay and met young graduates of the Feadship Academy.The yard's operation has already began earlier this year, with a 110-metre Feadship Anna undergoing refit works at the yard in Amsterdam, while 93-metre Lady S has become the first yacht completed at the newest facility. A couple of days prior to the opening, the latest Feadship unit, a 88-metre Project 816 was moved to the new facility for completion.

With the atmosphere incomparable to any other sporting event, the Monaco Grand prix stands almost distinct from the sport it was born from. Returning to the principality for its 77th run, this year’s race takes place from May 23 to May 26, with royalty, celebrities and billionaires flooding renowned harbour front of Monaco.With a race circuit passing directly in front of Port Hercules marina, the Monaco Grand Prix wouldn’t be complete without a selection of luxury yachts lined up opposite the track to soak up the high-octane racing action. Yacht Harbour takes a look at 7 superyachts worth attention during Monaco Grand Prix 2019.#1. Andreas LLength: 60 mBuilder: Benetti (2008)Asking price: € 25,000,000 Built by Benetti in 2008, this superyacht features a beam of 10.4 metres and a draft of 3.2 metres, built to a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. With her gross tonnage of 971 tons, Andreas L offers accommodation to 14 guests within 7 cabins with interiors by Redman Whiteley Dixon and exteriors by Stefano Natucci. Propelled by Caterpillar engines of 1600 hp, the yacht reaches a maximum speed at 18 knots and a cruises at 16 knots.She is fitted with a plenty of prime viewing acreage on the sundeck and a swim-up bar in her hot tub. #2. Illusion PlusLength: 88.8 m Builder: Pride Mega Yachts (2018)Delivered last summer, the yacht attends the show for the first time. What is more, she remains the largest yacht to ever have been built in Asia.British studio Rainsford Saunders Design was responsible for her sleek exterior lines, inspired by classic Rolls-Royce cars. Spread over six-decks, Illusion Plus offers two outdoor Jacuzzis, a touch-and-go helicopter landing pad and ample space for lounging, relaxing and partying. Illusion Plus can accommodate 12 guests over 8 en-suite cabins, with capacity for 25 crew.Her plush interior was crafted by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and installed by Greenline Yacht Interiors of Dubai. The superyacht features an in-built cinema screen, four guest lounges, two interior dining areas, a spa area with a sauna, steam room and massage room, a large tender garage and a lower deck ocean lounge with a bar.#3. SarastarLength: 60.2 m Builder: Mondomarine (2017) Asking price: € 50,000,000The yacht with a beam of 10.75 metres and a draft of 2.9 metres was launched in 2016. One of her main characteristics is the completely closed forward area in which the garage has been located. The tenders are hidden under a flush bridge that can be used as helipad, sunbathing area for guests or dance floor. Another key feature is represented by the stairs that lead one from the sundeck directly to the side of the wheelhouse. Sarastar can sleep up to 12 guests in a master suite and 5 double staterooms.For her interiors, Luca Dini worked worked with designers Silvia Margutti and Gabriele Tartaelli, who used rare natural materials (white onyx, semi-precious stones, crystals and exotic marbles).Noticeably, Sarastar is coming to small screens this year, as she has one of the leading roles in mystery-comedy for Netflix called "Murder Mystery", alongside with Hollywood superstars - Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston and Luke Evans.#4. Symphony Length: 101 m Builder: Feadship (2015) Similar to Illusion Plus, Symphony is among the largest spectators this weekend. With her interior volume of 3,000 tons, she features a beam of 14.1 metres and a draft of 4.1 metres. She reaches her maximum speed at 22 knots along with cruising speed of 14 knots.Symphony offers accommodation to up to 10 guests in 8 cabins with interiors by Zuretti and exteriors by Tim Heywood. She is fitted with an outdoor cinema on her bridge deck.In 2016, the yacht won Displacement Motor Yacht 2,999 GT and Above at the World Superyacht Awards.#5. BlushLength: 47.25 m Builder: Sunseeker (2014)Charter: from € 200,000 p/w.Blush was launched in 2014 as Sunseeker's flagship which it remains to this day. The vessel was originally owned by Eddie Jordan, the former owner of the Jordan Grand Prix Formula 1 team and current Top Gear co-presenter.First in the Sunseeker 155 series, Blush was designed by the yard's in-house team. Built out of GRP, the yacht can accommodate 10 guests in 5 cabins and carries a crew of 10. Blush is the 9th Sunseeker yacht that Mr. Jordan has owned over the years.Amongst the yacht's key features are an open sun deck, complete with a large Jacuzzi and sunbathing areas as well as a clever use of foldable balconies and glass that maximise entertaining space on-board. The owner's cabin, located forward on the main deck, has its own private balcony, a rare feature on yachts of this size. A beach club and swimming platform are further located aft of the yacht.From a technical standpoint, Blush is powered by twin MTU engines of 2,950hp each giving the yacht a maximum speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. #6. ApogeeLength: 62.5m Builder: Codecasa (2003)Asking price: $24,950,000One of the largest yachts ever built by Italian shipyard, Codecasa, Apogee was delivered in 2003. She was refitted in 2009 and 2013. The motor yacht can accommodate 12 guests in 6 cabins with interior design by Della Role Design and exteriors by Codecasa in-house team.Speed wise, Apogee features a maximum speed of 14.5 knots, powered by twin Caterpillar engines of 2,260 HP each.#7. D’Natalin IVLength: 49.9 m Builder: Christensen (2014)D'Natalin was built in 2014 with a beam of 9 metres and a draft of 2.4 metres, GRP hull and GRP superstructure. With her interior volume of 499 tons, the yacht can accommodate 12 guests across 6 cabins with interiors by VARO and exteriors by Christensen.She boasts a maximum speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots.

Mondomarine shipyard, recently acquired by the Palumbo Group, has introduced a brand-new Classic line. The new line is conceived as a revisited version of the distinctive historic Mondomarine’ style.The Classic line models will initially range between 43, 50 and 63 metre, all with semi-displacement hull and low draft to access the most exclusive beaches and shallow waters, among others, the Caribbean.The first project out of the new line, the Classic 50 metres, will be developed by Luca Dini Design Studio, also entrusted by the yard for the new ‘Discovery' line.Luca Dini, for whom the 60-metre M/Y Sarastar delivered by Mondomarine in 2017 became a starting point, explains: Speaking of external lines, our target was an evolution, yes, but without distorting the original design of that boat characterised by a sporty and elegant footprint with a combination of corners and curves, sinuous shapes and angles that, far from being strident, was quite harmonious. In short, a creative review that, paradoxical as it may seem, translates into a Modern Classic.Remaining true to the distinctive Italian tradition, the new line bestows a contrast between sharp edges and sinuous lines, soft and pronounced curves, reaching an overall coherent and elegant look.Various aesthetic details and engravings have been added both to the hull and the superstructure, creating a play of light and shadows when in the sun. Those elements recall the typical design of classic Italian cars, as Luca Dini drew inspiration from the Ferrari and Lamborghini Gran Turismo models.The Classic 50 metres will offer accommodation for up to 10 people within four guest rooms on the lower deck and a spacious master suite with two private balconies on the main deck. The crew area is designed to house up to 10 people.Prior to financial difficulties, that lead to the company’s acquisition by Palumbo Superyachts, Mondomarine had been a significant player on the Italian yacht stage, delivering in excess of 30 yachts during a 25-year period. Some of the most recent ones have been the 60-meter Sarastar delivered in 2017 and the red-coloured 50m Ipanema launched in 2016.

Millennial superyacht owners are on the rise, reports Business Insider. They have already caused a shift in most industries, and the world of yachting is not an exception. In order to cater the younger generation needs, yacht brokers will have to adapt to their preferences and lifestyle, while those who stick to the traditional ways of yachting will be inevitably left behind. Image courtesy: Kuznetcov_Konstantin/Shutterstock via Business Insider#1. The yacht owners will get 10-15 years younger in the next 20 years.Of the top 100 billionaires worldwide, 20% are below age 50, while superyacht owners are 10 to 15 years younger compared to 20 years ago, according to a new research by shipyard Rossinavi and the International University of Monaco. Furthermore, they are expected to get even younger — within the next 20 years, the median age of superyacht owners will decrease from the 45 to 55 range to the 35 to 45 range, according to Business Insider.#2. The mindset is changing, with the trend towards chartering over ownership.This new group of superyacht owners views yachting as "an occasional pastime rather than an enduring passion," according to the Monaco Yacht Show media packet. Still developing their business interests, self-made millennials consider a yacht as only one component of their fast-moving lifestyle.Instead of materialistic attributes of luxury lifestyle, millennial superyacht owners prioritise adventure, water sports and exterior space. For them, life experiences take priority over material possessions.For Millennials, travel is no longer a planned venture to be prepared and booked well in advance. The younger crowd prefers the freedom of chartering as it allows them to jump from one yacht in Monaco to another in Santorini without being tied to a physical boat. It is definitely a different concept from the traditional two-week summer cruise.Erwin Bamps, CEO of Emirates-based shipyard Gulf Craft expresses his opinion as follows:We are going to see a time when the traditional idea of yacht ownership starts to follow the same path as car sharing services; more convenient than a traditional taxi, and a real alternative to owning a car. The same principle will easily apply to luxury yachts. Imagine a global, technology-driven service that delivers the yacht you want, at the location you want, at the time you want, and can arrange a private jet to fly you there.#3. The Millennials' different preferences may change yachting in terms of design and selling tactics.The way people consume superyachts has changed, also reflecting in yacht design. According to the MYS packet, formal dining rooms and salons will be less evident as yacht designers turn to gyms, spa, water sports and spaces that enable open-air socialising to accommodate millennials' desires.And those who custom order superyachts are no longer requesting offices on-board, according to Business Insider. They prefer to be able to relax during their yachting cruises instead.With this upcoming wave of superyacht owners preferring to charter, yachting companies will likely have to shift their tactics of yachts selling. Most likely, they will need to make contacts with potential buyers through social media for a more immediate, personal form of communication.However, in general, all the changes should be understood as an evolution rather than a drastic change. The MYS packet stated:According to the study, millennials are going to do things differently and the product will have to be re-packaged, but the yachts will not change that much and the ownership concept will not go away anytime soon. They will want their own product like the rest of us. Things change, but human nature stays the same.

On 14th May 2019, the Port of Amsterdam finalised the acquisition of the former Holland Jachtbouw shipyard in Zaandamm. Subsequently, Dutch builder Royal Huisman has moved into the facilities on a long-term agreement, strengthening its business position in Amsterdam.Jan Timmerman, CEO of Royal Huisman highlights: Extending our facilities in the Amsterdam region, we will be able to properly meet the growing demand among current and new customers. This second shipyard will, over a longer period of time, serve as an excellent addition to our existing site in Vollenhove, both for new builds and for refits.The new facility will add extra 12,000 sqm to 58,000 sqm of new build and refit space, combined together to 70,000 square metres under the Huisfit brand. The company aims to generate high-quality jobs in, as well as bring innovation and craftsmanship to the Amsterdam region.Koen Overtoom, CEO at the Port of Amsterdam, explained to Superyachtnews:Our acquisition of the shipyard and the decision to lease it to Royal Huisman is a boost to the manufacturing industry, which adds significant value to our port. The arrival of Royal Huisman to the Amsterdam port region is one step further towards fulfilling our goal of becoming a superyacht hub. The Amsterdam area is highly sought-after by yacht manufacturers owing to its highly skilled workforce, international airport and the celebrated Dutch sense of enterprise.Meanwhile, the port of Amsterdam is gradually enhancing the region as a superyacht hub, with not only Royal Huisman, but also Feadship officially opening new facilities in Amsterdam earlier this month.The Amsterdam location will become the third one operated by Royal Huisman, alongside its facilities in Vollenhove and Emden. The recent projects by Royal Huisman included the refit of two of the world’s largest sailing yachts, Eos and Athena, with 93m EOA relaunched earlier this year.