France

Francis Design

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/269725/image/large-8978652e5c9fd274e7148257603a11af.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/269725">Spotted here last weekend cruising in the city of Portsmouth, on England’s south coast is the 123.2-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Odyssey123.2m (404'2&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2015">Golden Odyssey</a>. Built under the project name Tatiana, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Odyssey123.2m (404'2&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2015">Golden Odyssey</a> was launched at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> shipyard in Lemwerder in 2015. With a volume of 7,690 GT, her timeless exterior is the work of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/236" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francis Design (Company)">Francis Design</a> while <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/19" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alberto Pinto (Company)">Alberto Pinto</a> was selected to create the elaborate interior on board. Last year, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Odyssey123.2m (404'2&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2015">Golden Odyssey</a> was arrested and sold in October 2021 for the largest sum ever fetched for a yacht in a judicial sale in Malta. Read more about it <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/56182" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seized 123m Lürssen superyacht Golden Odyssey sold (2022-10-21 17:30:00 +0200)">here</a>.

Lürssen superyacht Golden Odyssey in Portsmouth

The 123m superyacht Golden Odyssey, built by Lürssen, is seen here cruising in Portsmouth, United Kingdom.

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/268510/image/large-ed9fa8727d79ac0020c91df2570fa521.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/268510">Spotted recently docked in the Falmouth Harbour in Antigua, is the 59.2-metre explorer yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/256" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Senses59.22m (194'3&quot;)Fr. Schweers Shipyard1999">Senses</a>. Built by the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/235" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fr. Schweers Shipyard (Company)">Fr. Schweers Shipyard</a> in Germany in 1999, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/195" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kusch Yachts (Company)">Kusch Yachts</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/236" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francis Design (Company)">Francis Design</a> were in charge of her naval architecture and exterior design. Designed to travel the globe, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/256" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Senses59.22m (194'3&quot;)Fr. Schweers Shipyard1999">Senses</a> features six luxurious staterooms accommodating 12 guests on board including a full-beam master suite stretching the entire 12.7-metre beam. Performance-wise, the 993 GT superyacht is powered by two <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1448" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deutz AG (Company)">Deutz AG</a> engines of 1,600 horsepower each, allowing her to reach a top speed of 14 knots and cover an incredible range of 6,500 nautical miles.

59m explorer yacht Senses in Antigua

The 59m explorer yacht Senses, built by Fr. Schweers Shipyard, is seen here docked in Antigua.

The owners of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> have issued a press release to SuperYacht Times stating that the 66.75-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/702" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Campbell Shipyards (Company)">Campbell Shipyards</a> superyacht has been released and has departed Cape Town following a protracted legal battle regarding the superyacht’s ownership. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/117651/image/large-1be2e510bf34a3ef9375d4ad9bec2d55.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/117651"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> was arrested at the request of Daniel Janse van Rensburg in Cape Town, South Africa in regards to a legal dispute he had with Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Equatorial Guinea's Vice-President, on 7 February 2023. The local businessman alleges that he was unlawfully detained in Equatorial Guinea for about 500 days after a business deal went sour.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> was preparing to depart from Cape Town, following technical maintenance and a flag and class survey, when Daniel Janse van Rensburg’s lawyer executed a writ alleging that the superyacht belonged to Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/96064/image/large-efe0c2578964b8b81737e3d665147eca.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/96064">On 10 February, the owners of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> requested supporting evidence from Daniel Janse van Rensburg that the yacht belonged to Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, but none were provided. On 16 February, a response was received conceding to the release of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> since their ownership allegations were incorrect.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> was formally released on 21 February, and has since departed Cape Town. The owners of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> are now pursuing potential options to seek financial damages caused by the unlawful actions of Daniel Janse van Rensburg.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/96065/image/large-5cd98b2394dac6cc5d77a5fa0d7f0dfc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/96065">(14-02-2023 16:15) Equatorial Guinea vice-president's 67m superyacht&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a>&nbsp;seizedAccording to local media companies, South African officials have seized the 66.75-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> and two palatial homes owned by Equatorial Guinea's Vice-President, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/117652/image/large-b7d35b48e29f5943cddedb12d8281c06.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/117652">A court ordered the seizures after local businessman Daniel Janse van Rensburg won a lawsuit against the Vice-President for unlawful arrest and torture. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/702" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Campbell Shipyards (Company)">Campbell Shipyards</a> superyacht has been seized in the Victoria &amp; Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa.Daniel Janse van Rensburg alleges that he was unlawfully detained in Equatorial Guinea for about 500 days after a business deal went wrong. The businessman has also demanded around $2.2 million (€2 million) in compensation.&nbsp;Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue is the son of the world’s longest-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has served as the second president of Equatorial Guinea since August 1979. Both father and son have previously been accused of abusing wealth and resources surrounding oil in Equatorial Guinea.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/96063/image/large-c0779a5a76c12eac7d01aa8141899278.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/96063">Daniel Janse van Rensburg has been involved in a lengthy legal battle against the Vice-President in the South African courts. Last year he published a book on how a business trip to Equatorial Guinea in 2013 "turned into a journey to the depths of hell" following his "harrowing incarceration" at the notorious Black Beach prison.Lawyer Errol Eldson, who is representing the businessman, told the news agency AFP that his client had set up an airline in Equatorial Guinea with a local politician who withdrew from the venture at the last minute and demanded a financial refund.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/33196/image/large-e4c554de8b062993e622bddbf9fbfe57.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/33196">According to Errol Eldson, the dispute led to the politician phoning Vice-President Obiang. Within 10 minutes, an elite security force unit “picked Daniel up and threw him into Black Beach prison.”Previously named Golden Shadow, the 1,293 GT superyacht was built at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/702" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Campbell Shipyards (Company)">Campbell Shipyard</a> in 1994 to a design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/236" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francis Design (Company)">Francis Design</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> can accommodate up to 20 guests across 11 staterooms, as well as a crew of 22.An application to auction the assets has been filed.

Seized superyacht Blue Shadow released following lawsuit

The 67m seized superyacht Blue Shadow has been released following a lawsuit with Equatorial Guinea's Vice-President, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue.

67m seized superyacht Blue Shadow released following lawsuit

The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> 123.2-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Odyssey123.2m (404'2&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2015">Golden Odyssey</a> has been sold. The yacht was originally arrested in Malta by Deutsche Bank Luxembourg, which underwent the arrest as part of its efforts to repay a mortgage against the yacht in excess of €116 million. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/180704/image/large-c94b3cec22cf92d183a5b4fe2eeae44b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/180704">The court in Malta heard how the owner, Kal Marine Limited, a Bermuda-registered company, had secured a loan from the bank in 2013 and had used the vessel as collateral. The owner had since failed to make repayments, forcing the bank to seize the vessel.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8152/image/large-d09aa71483d1c016e8e586b568e9cc2e.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8152">According to Times of Malta, Justice Spiteri Bailey approved the private sale of the vessel for €150 million, which was estimated to be its current market value. The vessel will be bought by East Thrive Peace Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and represented in Malta by lawyer Nicholas Valenzia. The sale will be the largest sum ever fetched for a yacht in a judicial sale in Malta.&nbsp;The superyacht was built by the German shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen Yachts</a> and launched in 2015. She features exterior design from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/236" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francis Design (Company)">Francis Design</a> and interiors from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/19" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alberto Pinto (Company)">Alberto Pinto</a>.

Superyacht Golden Odyssey sold

The 123m superyacht Golden Odyssey has been sold 

Seized 123m Lürssen superyacht Golden Odyssey sold

Lurssen's fleet of 100m+ superyachts

Lürssen has delivered 22 superyachts that exceed 100m in length. SYT runs through the list. 

Lürssen's giants: the German builder’s fleet of 100m+ superyachts

Francois Zuretti interview 

SYT travelled to Nice for our latest video, where we interviewed famous designer Francois Zuretti.

Video: At the studio with Francois Zuretti of Zuretti Interior Design

The worlds largest yacht support vessels

SuperYacht Times takes a look at the largest yacht support vessels currently in the world and in operation.

The world’s largest yacht support vessels

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blohm & Voss GmbH (Company)">Blohm+Voss</a> are renowned for their unusual and daring superyachts, with the 74.5-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a> ranking highly on this list. The German-built superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a> was delivered in 1991 and undoubtedly remains one of the superyacht fleet icons.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/207091/image/large-d9a7f07880c0f54ee7b05372ceeb1db7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/207091">The distinctive exterior design is the work of French design house <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/236" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francis Design (Company)">Francis Design</a>, who have penned her with curvaceous convex windows and sharp exterior lines. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a> is unquestionably one of the most distinctive superyachts ever built, and most certainly is the centre of attention at every port she visits.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13577/image/large-6fc2f2b23a987ce5492b6e9ac16d0604.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13577">The most recognisable feature of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a> is her windows, which were designed to limit internal reflections and inspired by the curved Parisian windows of France. The stylish windows were made by Flachglas in Germany and remain an iconic feature on the yacht, thirty years after they were installed.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13562/image/large-a3c10292aaec32dffe41152644907872.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13562">The steel yacht was originally christened Eco, and was a profound achievement from birth, as the first superyacht to be fitted with an underwater foil. This provided her with 120 tonnes of lift at the stern and helped her to achieve an astonishing top speed of 35 knots.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13567/image/large-99b00d925f8c4ef9ec2da9e2e694c890.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13567"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13576/image/large-782f61bd13b94bc458fa336522968a9c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13576">The 1,150 GT superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a> includes an intelligently unconventional interior design that utilises every inch of interior space. The entire upper deck is dedicated to the owner with a private lounge and alfresco dining area for a more intimate dining experience. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13574/image/large-2750bb45d6a16e1862e5d597d87992e6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13574">The further guest suites are located on the main deck with a VIP suite and four double staterooms. Each of her rooms are equipped with an entertainment system and ensuite bathroom facilities. In total she is able to accommodate up to 15 guests, as well as cabins for a crew of 21.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13573/image/large-0c51f21446e9cbaee949065f50e04469.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13573"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13572/image/large-8a232319ab7d09eeae2312f0a22c87bf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13572">The main saloon of the yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a> is vast and includes a plethora of seating for guests to choose from, a bar, and an entertainment system featuring a 60-inch flat screen television.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13575/image/large-2d5d59bf2abff63f6c0110fe08f580da.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13575">The panoramic deck is located above the upper deck and is home to a single saloon area as well as a gym. She has been kept in pristine condition over the years and is often seen cruising the French and Italian Rivieras.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13568/image/large-612d45921751c6a4ec668289433aedf6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13568"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13564/image/large-4427760d772a96d8d400a7597e4e543e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13564">In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a> is just as impressive as her exterior design. She is equipped with both twin 5,000 horsepower <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1448" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deutz AG (Company)">Deutz AG</a> engines and a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="General Electric (Company)">General Electric</a> 18,500 horsepower engine that propel her to speeds of up to 35 knots.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/13560/image/large-e0e40a1eb32059a3e7a76b031c8e38c4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13560">

Onboard Zeus: A closer look at the impressive 75m Blohm+Voss superyacht

The 75m Blohm+Voss superyacht Zeus was delivered in 1991 and undoubtedly remains one of the superyacht fleet icons.

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/207091/image/large-d9a7f07880c0f54ee7b05372ceeb1db7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/207091">The 74.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a> was recently spotted anchored in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France. Previously known as Enigma, she was built in 1991 by the German shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blohm & Voss GmbH (Company)">Blohm &amp; Voss</a> at its Hamburg facility. Both the exterior and interior were designed by British designer <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/236" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francis Design (Company)">Martin Francis</a>, who penned her curved windows and art deco-inspired look. Still ranking as one of the most radical superyachts ever built, the 1,150 GT motor yacht was constructed with a steel hull and GRP superstructure. The iconic superyacht is one of the fastest in the world at her size with a top speed of 35 knots. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a> is able to cover a transatlantic range of 3,500 nautical miles at a speed of 19 knots. Onboard, she can sleep up to 14 guests comfortably in six luxurious staterooms.

Blohm & Voss superyacht Zeus in Villefranche-sur-Mer

The 75m superyacht Zeus built by Blohm & Voss, is seen here anchored in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France.

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/180704/image/large-c94b3cec22cf92d183a5b4fe2eeae44b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/180704">Seen here on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean is the 123.50-metre superyacht <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/golden-odyssey" target="_blank">Golden Odyssey</a>. Built under the project name Tatiana, <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/golden-odyssey" target="_blank">Golden Odyssey</a> was launched at the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/lurssen" target="_blank">Lürssen</a> shipyard in Lemwerder in 2015. Little is known about this German giant, but she is believed to have a gross tonnage of 7,600 GT and is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system. The yacht's timeless exterior is the work of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/236" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francis Design (Company)">Francis Design</a> while <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/19" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alberto Pinto (Company)">Alberto Pinto</a> was selected to create the elaborate interior on board. The yacht once formed part of the owner’s fleet of privately owned vessels that cruised together known as the Golden Fleet. These included the 80.15-metre Golden Odyssey, now named <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/191" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Grand Ocean80.15m (262'12&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1990">Grand Ocean</a>,&nbsp;the 66.75 metre Golden Shadow, now named <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a>, and the 30-metre sportsfisher <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/golden-osprey" target="_blank">Golden Osprey</a>.

123m Lürssen yacht Golden Odyssey in Malta

The Lürssen motor yacht Golden Odyssey from 2015 currently moored in Malta. 

The 123m motor yacht Golden Odyssey in Malta

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/170949/image/large-7ffdcad341b720e4756ccb500b201740.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/170949">The 68.77-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3691" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Drizzle68.77m (225'7&quot;)Feadship2012">Drizzle</a> (left) and 74.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a> (right) were recently seen side-by-side in Portofino. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/901" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeus74.5m (244'5&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1991">Zeus</a>, formally Enigma, was built in 1991 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blohm & Voss GmbH (Company)">Blohm &amp; Voss</a>. Both the exterior and interior were designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/236" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francis Design (Company)">Francis</a>, and the yacht is one of the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/world-s-fastest-yachts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">fastest in the world</a> with a top speed of 35 knots. She can sleep up to 14 guests comfortably and is currently with her fourth owner. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3691" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Drizzle68.77m (225'7&quot;)Feadship2012">Drizzle</a> was delivered in 2012 by Dutch shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> with an in-house <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/30" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="De Voogt Naval Architects (Company)">De Voogt</a> exterior design. She can sleep 10 guests and a refit in 2019 increased her length with the addition of an extended pool deck and gym.

Drizzle and Zeus yachts in Portofino

This week, SuperYacht Times spotted two large yachts in Portofino.


Superyachts Drizzle and Zeus seen side-by-side in Portofino

<img src="/uploads/store/photo/96060/image/large-c1fc0c551f4009affd622e95733e2fbc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/96060">Built at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/702" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Campbell Shipyards (Company)">Campbell Shipyard</a> in 1994 to a design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/236" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francis Design (Company)">Francis Design</a>, the 66.7-metre motor yacht&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> combines the best of luxury living and serious adventure in a rugged oceangoing package. Known before as Golden Shadow having operated as part of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/45202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen superyacht Golden Odyssey in Tivat (2015-12-01 23:00:00 +0100)">Golden Fleet</a>, the vessel was sold in April this year. With a diverse fleet of tenders and exploration craft along with an on-deck dive chamber and full SCUBA centre on board, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Blue Shadow</a> was made for the adventurous. Her 11 staterooms onboard can host up to 20 guests which all benefited from an extensive refit in 2017. Ideal for world cruising, the steel-hulled motor yacht is fitted with stabilisers and can cover an incredible range of 13,000nm. Here she is seen off Cala di Volpe on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda earlier this summer.

67m expedition yacht Blue Shadow in Sardinia

Spotted at anchor off Cala di Volpe over the summer season is the 67-metre expedition yacht Blue Shadow, built in America in 1994. 

The expedition yacht Blue Shadow in Sardinia

After over 24 years under the same ownership, the 66.7-metre expedition-ready superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Golden Shadow</a>&nbsp;has changed hands in a recent deal where <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser’s</a> Jan Jaap Minnema represented the seller. Manuele Thiella of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4680" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Yacht Brokers SARL (Company)">Royal Yacht Brokers</a> represented the buyer in the deal.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/29747/image/large-30d231b8c7ed86bef8e5b13d3b8413f2.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/29747">Built at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/702" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Campbell Shipyards (Company)">Campbell Shipyard</a> in 1994 to a design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/236" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francis Design (Company)">Francis Design</a>, superyacht&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Golden Shadow</a> combines the best of luxury living and serious adventure in a rugged oceangoing package. With a diverse fleet of tenders and exploration craft along with an on-deck dive chamber and full SCUBA centre on board,<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">&nbsp;Golden Shadow</a> was made for the adventurous.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/31441/image/large-7d465e4126ba18ceaf95ec60022272e8.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/31441">Her 11 staterooms on board can host up to 20 guests on board which all benefited from an extensive refit in 2017. Ideal for world cruising, the steel-hulled motor yacht is fitted with stabilisers and can cover an incredible 13,000nm.Currently lying in Tivat, Montenegro, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/946" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Shadow66.75m (218'12&quot;)Campbell Shipyards1995">Golden Shadow</a> was asking €9,950,000.

New owner for 67m superyacht Golden Shadow

In a recent deal brokered by Fraser and Royal Yacht Brokers, the 67m expedition superyacht Golden Shadow has been sold.

Expedition superyacht Golden Shadow sold 

In a fleet of over 5,000 superyachts, the numbers of yachts that are instantly recognisable are small. Traditional and practical designs reign supreme, but occasionally a yacht will come along that breaks all the boundaries. Take the Maltese Falcon, Yas, S/Y A, M/Y&nbsp;A, Ocean Pearl, Black Pearl, Venus, Nero and Adastra&nbsp;- to name but a few. Love them or hate them, there is no doubt that they play an important role in demonstrating the capabilities of design innovation and, in their own way, have an effect on the overall evolution of superyacht design processes. Whether by directly influencing other designs, pushing design constraints to their limits and forcing innovation or simply sparking the imagination, these designs should be celebrated.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/20967/image/large-71a5389ec3045bfc8b37b4bdb0b22507.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20967"> But how possible is it for innovation in superyacht designs to take place? Superyacht design is constantly evolving; with imagination and a willing owner, almost anything is possible within operational and safety constraints. That said, the creation of an innovative build will almost always come down to the owner, how much freedom they give the designer, and their willingness to do things differently. “Good projects come from good and demanding clients, and in the case of ECO, [her owner] Emilio Azcárraga was both,” says designer Martin Francis. With many owners aware that to build something ‘out there’ is a risky process, often impacting resale potential and inviting perhaps controversial opinions, playing it safe is often the more appealing route. “Very few owners are looking for innovation, I assume because of the risks that are inevitably involved,” says Francis.&nbsp;While building an iconic yacht is not for everyone, these yachts undoubtedly have had an important influence on superyacht design as a whole, with many people growing to love yachts they might initially have considered controversial. “This has been the case with Skat… People who didn’t like her at the time like her today, over time they’ve grown more comfortable with the design and they now like it,” says Espen Oeino. “What was initially considered an ugly duckling yacht has now become iconic, so perhaps iconic yachts do inspire others.”We take a look some of the most iconic and controversial superyacht designs and some of the thought processes behind their design.&nbsp;M/Y A and S/Y ADesigned by Philippe Starck, M/Y A and S/Y A turn heads wherever they go and divide opinions with their distinctive looks and futuristic designs. Both very different, albeit cut from the same cloth, M/Y A&nbsp;and S/Y A are bold statement yachts born from their owner’s desire to push the boundary of yacht design and create something unique.&nbsp;Starck was given total creative free rein when designing M/Y A after owner Andrey Melnichenko changed his mind on a commission from another designer. When Starck presented his designs, Melnichenko quickly agreed to them and the rest is history.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/20965/image/large-04c2df1c2c4c341f4231315fd2f8feb5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20965"> M/Y A&nbsp;features submarine-inspired styling and a smooth upside down hull form that leaves almost no wake even when powering at 25 knots. A favourite feature of Starck’s on board M/Y A is the cavern-like tender garage, that feels akin to a ballroom when you step into its huge spaces. With openings on three sides, this space ensures true on water living.&nbsp;On her launch, S/Y A demonstrated similar creative styling to her motor yacht sister. This radical yacht is the biggest sail-assisted motor yacht in the world and her sheer scale is colossal with masts towering over 100 metres high. A shard like sloping design, all exterior surfaces are completely flush. Seen under sail for the first time in 2017 she is a yacht like no other and has no less than eight decks!Ocean PearlDesigned by Lord Norman Foster and the team at Foster + Partners, Ocean Pearl’s design features an arched superstructure that creates a look that is a departure from traditional design. “For its unique appearance, we drew inspiration from many sources, including nature and the sleek movement of sharks and dolphins through the water – the superstructure is brought forward and the prow of the yacht is raised to evoke a similar effect,” says Angus Campbell, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners. “This is complemented by a smooth shape, which wraps the accommodation under a single skin.”&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/7545/image/large-8d770f82b495319c3871bc9a01bee6f7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/7545"> The team took the concept of a traditional yacht layout and reinvented it, placing the owner's’ cabin at the bow of the boat, under the captain’s cabin with a ‘his and hers’ balcony on either side, which allowed the owners to have an unprecedented forward view from within their cabin. “We wanted to create a yacht on which 12 people can comfortably spend 10 days together at sea and Ocean Pearl has seven different external decks in a variety of scales, spaces where all guests can congregate, as well as more intimate, personal terraces,” says Campbell. “These are vital differences, so it is perhaps natural that this boat will also look strikingly different. Ironically, given she was designed to be different, Ocean Pearl is one of two identical sister ships.ECO&nbsp;On her launch, ECO (now named Zeus) represented a leap in superyacht design innovation with her striking aggressive lines, powerful performance and radically curved windows. Long, sleek and incredibly fast, she is widely hailed as a masterpiece of design. Despite this, “ECO was not recognised as ‘iconic’ for at least 15 years,” says her naval architect and designer, Martin Francis. The development of ECO’s design was a long process, and she almost wasn’t built with her owner nearly buying a secondhand build instead. “He [the owner] had faith in me as a designer but it took two and a half years before we came up with the final solution… there was no magic, just hard work.”<img src="/uploads/store/photo/20969/image/large-f051682a6cccded7d1824493db379c09.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20969"> Eco’s huge curved windows, reminiscent of French buses, were a true style statement, and help give the yacht her distinctive look, with Francis describing their development process as “a work of art.” Other controversies around her design include the positioning of the bridge on the main deck, with the owner wanting the views from the space typically occupied by the bridge for himself. Today ECO&nbsp;is as iconic as when she was launched with her speed credentials still as impressive as they were a quarter of a century ago.&nbsp;Skat15 years ago when&nbsp;Skat launched, she intentionally broke away from the norm. “I had a very specific brief from the owner, who couldn’t relate to traditional yachts, who was looking for an honest design that respected the materials it used,” says Espen Oeino, her designer. &nbsp;“The challenge the owner gave me was to use the building materials in their existing format and I remember walking away from that first meeting and thinking ‘this is going to be difficult.’” As it turned out, the owner instantly liked Oeino’s first concepts and the yacht we see today is almost identical to those first sketches.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/20966/image/large-f2bf74a7cb6ed0dc51797fb90ad46846.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20966"> With her flat plates and profiles, grey colouring and slightly menacing appearance, “when Skat first launched there were a lot of people who were uncomfortable with the way she looked, they were generally never indifferent,” says Oeino. “People either loved or hated her and that’s fine. As a designer that is preferable to indifference!”Skat has undoubtedly had an impact on superyacht design as a whole, with her influences seen on many designs since her launch. “She was one of the very first superyachts to embrace stealth-style design and a linear design language, but today that style of the yacht is quite commonplace, so yes, perhaps she has been an inspiration to others,” says Oeino.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title=""><img src="/uploads/store/photo/13976/image/large-0479ea0b23567c145bad5ee46c7a49e8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13976"> </a>This article was featured in the latest edition of the SuperYacht Times newspaper. Subscribe&nbsp;<a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">now&nbsp;</a>to receive your copy straight to your door and never miss another issue.&nbsp;

Yacht design innovation: breaking the mould 

Born and bred in Norway and departing as a teenager to study in Normandy, it’s apparent as soon as I sit down in Espen Øino’s Monegasque office that Øino’s Scandinavian motherland is at the heart of everything close to him. “Five generations of wooden boatbuilding on my father’s side in the mountains of Norway,” he tells me, “and on my mother’s side, my family had a maintenance shipyard and were involved with building engines. But I’m not unique, many people have this heritage in Norway.” Unique or not, Norway is the root of his natural enthusiasm for the water, for boats, for nature, the environment, and, actually, is the real reason behind his aforementioned modest demeanour. &nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/14601/image/large-b8a00a6c7ffaa0bca1dde0014b6f136a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/14601">Photo by Guillaume PlissonThis humility is one of the most interesting characteristics of Espen Øino. It’s not that it is expected of successful figures to be overly confident, self congratulatory, or even egotistical - but Øino is the polar opposite. Though certainly self-assured, he actively shirks away from showering himself with praise and is downright uncomfortable when others try to do so (I don’t know,” he quickly shrugs off as I pose his reputation to him, “I just forget about all that stuff. It’s very embarrassing to read it about yourself.”). This discomfort is quickly attributed to Janteloven, or the Law of Jante - a Scandinavian ideology that encourages putting society before the individual, discouraging putting your head and shoulders above anyone else. “The Law of Jante can be summarised as ‘Don’t think you’re better than anyone else’,” Øino explains. “Do your stuff, do it well, but don’t go out and brag about it. So there is something inherently within me that means I have a problem with highlighting myself or showing off and saying that we’re the best.” &nbsp;This deep-rooted societal philosophy is not limited to personal encounters with Øino and is also the justification behind the studio’s distinct lack of online presence. In fact, anybody eager to learn more about Espen Øino International on the world wide web will be surprised to find nought but a static homepage at the company’s website completed simply with an address, telephone number and logo. “I don’t want to shout from the rooftops that everyone should look at us. And so many of our projects are confidential, so we can’t really talk about anything anyway. I made an executive decision not to do the website many years ago and have stuck to that… I was, however, recently in Australia with Guillaume Plisson, and we were shooting one of the Silver boats. He introduced me to Instagram and I have been hooked since. But the Law of Jante is deeply rooted in the Scandinavian mind, and that is at least my own analysis of the lack of website and general digital presence.”&nbsp;Whether or not Janteloven is a valid excuse for a lack of online presence in an increasingly digital world aside, the theme of modesty is not one that usually goes hand in hand with the superyacht industry… and neither is Monaco and an aversion to the luxury lifestyle. But somehow, Øino proves that both of these things can be true in one capacity or another: “I instantly felt that this was the place for me when I came to Monaco,”&nbsp;he remembers.&nbsp;“Not for the glamour - I couldn’t care less about that side of things - but the proximity to the sea and the mountains. I had never seen so many boats in my life back in ‘81.”&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/14602/image/large-bff16edcde0df0695c94917d1321a950.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/14602">Espen Øino studying in NormandyBeing told that the person in front of you is not interested in glamour and wealth is a hard pill to swallow when you’re sat eating lunch together at the Yacht Club de Monaco, the conversation constantly veering off on rather spectacular tangents of exclusive Dolce &amp; Gabbana weekend events and hanging out with Hollywood’s most celebrated movie producers… and of course, it’s true that Espen Øino is fully part of the luxury lifestyle. From dining in the world’s finest restaurants with some of the planet’s wealthiest people to enjoying plenty of time onboard his own designed superyachts, to even just living in Monaco… he is part of it. But what is interesting is that though this lifestyle is what, undoubtedly, attracts many to the world of superyachts, it’s hard not to believe Øino when he says that, genuinely, he is just a hardworking guy passionate about boats, the sea and design. “The pleasure is being on the water. Of course, it’s great to be on a 70-metre superyacht, but it can also be a sea kayak, a stand-up paddleboard, a 4-metre boat with a little outboard - I don’t care. I’ve spent a lot of time on the water and I always find pleasure in it - luxurious or not.”&nbsp;It’s one thing to say you’re passionate about boats no matter the size, but Øino designs superyachts. The millionaire's plaything, the floating palaces on the sea: the epitome of luxury. However, luxury, he persists, is something that doesn’t necessarily have to be at the heart of superyachting and, so he says, the industry is shooting itself in the foot by providing only one real option for superyacht owners. “One of the problems people have with yachting is rather self-inflicted,” he muses. “We think of our industry as luxurious, but it does not have to be that way: a yacht does not have to be pretentious. When you see the level of detailing and finishing that you see onboard yachts, you very rarely see that in the same clients’ homes and offices. They are not as demanding with these assets as they are with their yachts. The price per square metre on board a yacht is incredible. We’re at the risk of killing our own industry here. Some people have started thinking that this is crazy - and it is.”Though the uber-opulent state of superyachting has never been Øino’s main attraction to designing boats - (“Growing up in Norway, my idea of what I would be designing was more focused on the small motor boats and sailing yachts. Designing these big yachts that we do here… that was kind of accidental.”) - the success that has followed every Øino-stamped project from his first superyacht project, the 74.5-metre ECO designed by Martin Francis, to one of his latest, the 106-metre Lürssen-built Amadea, has allowed him the freedom in his career to follow his true passions 25+ years down the line. “We’re doing a lot of tenders and small boats now,” he says. “I like doing less glamorous boats. I’m in the fortunate position where I can do more of what I like, and I like these boats. They’re more relatable. You can buy them and drive them yourself. So, the next thing is small production boats - we’re starting now with a Norwegian manufacturer.”<img src="/uploads/store/photo/14604/image/large-37b84ee9f8a04f65aeb11d914512de03.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/14604">Amadea“Many people tell me that I shouldn’t do it,” he continues, setting himself apart once more from the typical expectations of a Monegasque-living superyacht designer, “That I’m diluting my ‘brand’. But I don’t care! I like this. I’ve always been fascinated by ships, and if I think there’s something in this tender or on a cruise ship that I can improve, then why not do it? My philosophy is do something because you like to do it, and never do it for the money.”Smaller boats, tenders and cruise ships aside, one of the most exciting projects to be revealed by Espen Øino International - and one that is also certainly something different to the Øino vessels we are used to - is the REV project. Measuring 181.6-metres and with a heavy focus on the environment, the REV project will be built by the commercial shipbuilder VARD and is the result of a close collaboration between Espen Øino International and the project’s Norwegian owner, Kjell Inge Røkke. “We’ve been working on the REV project for around a year and honestly, in the beginning, it wasn’t this big. The owner is a very competitive guy and a very interesting character, and he’s pushing the boundaries a lot. He is somebody that is extremely practical with serious knowledge of boats, ships and nautical industries - he’s made all of his money through the sea in one way or another, from fishing to shipping to oil and gas. So he knows his stuff. He is somebody who is a perfect example of someone who loves to be involved in the project.&nbsp;“For us and for him, it’s a very different project because a lot of it is about giving back. He has signed the Just Giving pledge with Bill Gates, and this is part of it. So the boat is for scientists, for school children, for classes, to go and do research expeditions. He understands that we need to do something about the environment… This project goes beyond what we usually do.” Construction of the vessel will take place in several stages, with the hull to be built at VARD’s Tulcea facility in Romania. It will then be towed to the company’s shipyard in Brattvaag, Norway, for outfitting, and following hand over to her owner in Norway in the summer of 2020, the ship will be returned to Romania where fairing, deck-laying and finalisation of the accommodation areas will take place.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/7759/image/large-6e9cda5054478c3c8d6bbabee1a50f45.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/7759">Project REV&nbsp;Another clear indicator of his passion and almost disconnect with the hyper-lux world he finds himself in is that, for several years now, Øino has been developing a true passion project for himself. Talking of the project whilst showing me the erratic Fjord-invaded coastline of Norway, he says: “I have a personal project to go and cruise the entire coast of Norway on a small boat, but that will be in a couple of years. I have my own design for a boat for myself to actually go and do this. It’s a 14-metre boat which has been on the backburner for the past six or seven years - a fast, fast, fast boat designed specifically to go around the Norwegian coast.” Though he is, indeed, in a position to do what he wants - why hasn’t this boat come to fruition yet? “The thing that holds me back from making this thing a reality is time. I have obligations to my clients, and life is all about priorities... but hopefully, this will get built one day.” It’s almost a bit comforting to know that even some of the world’s most successful people have dreams on the backburner.&nbsp;So what’s the next for Espen Øino International? Inevitably, confidentiality clauses prevent Øino from spilling even one drop of information regarding the doubtless cool projects in the pipeline so, aside from the REV project and a small cruise ship for a Norwegian builder, time will have to tell. Perhaps we will spot Øino happily cruising the extensive coast of his motherland sometime soon, perhaps not. For now, at least, all that’s left is to continue to be the one, the only, Espen Øino.