<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess Yachts</a> has confirmed that the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/14310" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess X90/0126.77m (87'10&quot;)Princess Yachts2026">first hull</a> of its 26.77-metre X90 motor yacht remains on schedule for its debut this summer. The shipyard currently has three X90 yachts under construction, with a fourth hull set to begin production shortly.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/330673/image/large-3ab7130f395aeda3d8d4b03aa1f74c00.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/330673">The first X90 yacht has reached a major construction milestone, with the deck, canopy, and hardtop structures successfully installed at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess Yachts</a>’ Plymouth headquarters. This milestone provides full access for the next stage of the fit-out, which is already in progress. The flybridge yacht features both naval architecture and exterior design penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2740" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Olesinski Ltd. (Company)">Olesinski</a>.“Reaching this stage of the X90 programme is a significant milestone for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess Yachts</a>,” said the shipyard's CEO Will Green. The U.K.-based shipyard considers the X90 as an ‘exciting evolution’ for the brand as she is the first <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> yacht to showcase an expandable beach club-style cockpit.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383234/image/large-b5bea9562f5005b9654f095988c3d3e7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383234">Complementing the spacious cockpit, fold-down terraces on both the port and starboard sides significantly increase the usable outdoor area. When deployed, these balconies open the cockpit to the sea, creating an immersive waterside setting that blends open-air and shaded zones into an elegant, beach-club–style retreat.“The X90 combines groundbreaking features such as the Super Flybridge and fold-down terraces that transform the cockpit into a spectacular shaded beach club. Its open, flowing design maximises space, light and connection to the sea, while delivering the performance, efficiency, craftsmanship and elegance that define <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a>,” added Will.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/330679/image/large-05a746a397ba9553a79eb8b02e92c053.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/330679">Adding to the indoor-outdoor experience of the yacht, sweeping patio doors open the main deck dining area to the cockpit, while a more open aft layout and infinity glass transom enhance the overall sense of openness on board.Another hallmark of the yacht is the X Class’s signature Super Flybridge, an innovative configuration that combines an enclosed skylounge and helm with a spacious open-air flybridge deck. The design frees up substantial volume on the main deck by relocating the primary helm to this level.Developed in collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2740" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Olesinski Ltd. (Company)">Olesinski</a>, the X90 also introduces <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess Yachts</a>’ new Hybrid Progressive-Planing (H.P.P.) hull form, which combines the brand’s renowned seakeeping and handling with advanced hydrodynamic performance. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383235/image/large-a538c85edbb8413ce1df8d30e945c68f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383235">The H.P.P. hull delivers smooth, economical cruising at lower speeds while maintaining assured performance when planing. In practice, the X90 achieves a 10 per cent reduction in power demand above 16 knots compared to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> Y85 (with displacement normalised), while below 10 knots it mirrors the Y85’s fuel consumption despite carrying approximately 18 tonnes of additional weight.According to <a href="https://iq.superyachttimes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">SuperYacht iQ</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess Yachts</a> currently has several yachts under construction, including multiple 25.45-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> S80 yachts and a 29.1-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> X95 yacht.

First Princess X90 yacht in-build

Princess X90 yacht exterior design

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Princess X90/01 yacht under construction

The first hull of Princess Yachts’X90 motor yacht remains on schedule for its debut this summer.

First 27m Princess X90 motor yacht on schedule for summer 2026 launch

The second hull of the 24-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1416" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeelander Yachts (Company)">Zeelander</a> 8 series, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mojo23.9m (78'5&quot;)Zeelander Yachts2026">Mojo</a>, is nearing completion at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1416" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeelander Yachts (Company)">Zeelander Yachts</a>, with delivery scheduled for February 2026. As the Dutch shipyard’s largest model to date, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1416" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeelander Yachts (Company)">Zeelander</a> 8 continues to evolve, and this latest unit showcases a custom layout and a series of design upgrades tailored to her experienced owner.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380151/image/large-c9a1283b04a496606a0ab6ba89535ebb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380151">Set to cruise the South of France, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mojo23.9m (78'5&quot;)Zeelander Yachts2026">Mojo</a> has been configured for owner operation, with the option to run with a captain when desired. She is also the first <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1416" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeelander Yachts (Company)">Zeelander</a> yacht to feature a pearlescent white hull and deck, accented with gold and black boot stripes and paired with glossy teak flooring.As <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1416" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeelander Yachts (Company)">Zeelander’s</a> flagship, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mojo23.9m (78'5&quot;)Zeelander Yachts2026">Mojo</a> blends timeless styling with contemporary luxury, marked by soft interior forms, generous glazing and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor living. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380153/image/large-8d9b4f5f0ac55ce0a520777487e51e49.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380153">Inside, the flagship introduces a newly developed general arrangement. A breakfast bar has been added to the main saloon, while the galley has been repositioned to enhance circulation and social interaction on board. The aft deck now features an enlarged L-shaped seating area and an expanded sunbed. Below deck, five cabins are finished to the same high standard, including those traditionally designated for crew.On the main deck, guests benefit from expansive lounging and dining areas, while the lower deck’s full-beam midship master stateroom offers sweeping panoramic views and more than 2.1-metres of headroom. A targa sunroof and retractable aft windows further enhance the sense of openness, allowing for seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.Designed for easy owner operation, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1416" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeelander Yachts (Company)">Zeelander</a> 8 benefits from the intuitive controls of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1450" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo (Company)">Volvo</a> IPS system. A dedicated tender garage houses a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4203" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Williams Jet Tenders (Company)">Williams Jet Tender</a> 395, two Porsche Design <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3030" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cayago AG / Seabob (Company)">Seabobs</a> and full diving equipment.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380152/image/large-43f7439decbe39edcc8a8f1a8c48af4a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380152">Powered by triple <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1450" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo (Company)">Volvo</a> IPS 1350 engines, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mojo23.9m (78'5&quot;)Zeelander Yachts2026">Mojo</a> reaches a top speed of 30 knots or up to 40 knots when equipped with an optional quadruple IPS installation. True to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1416" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeelander Yachts (Company)">Zeelander</a> philosophy of quiet, refined cruising, sound levels remain below 65 dBA even at full speed. At cruising speed, the model offers a range of approximately 600 nautical miles, extending to 3,000 nautical miles at seven knots.“With this next <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1416" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeelander Yachts (Company)">Zeelander</a> 8 nearing completion, the shipyard continues to push the boundaries of craftsmanship, customisation and comfort in the 24-metre class,” concluded <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1416" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeelander Yachts (Company)">Zeelander</a>.

Second Zeelander yacht mojo nears completion

The second hull of the 24-metre Zeelander 8 series, Mojo, is nearing completion.

Second 24m Zeelander 8 motor yacht Mojo nears completion with 2026 delivery date

Production is underway on a twin-masted DynaRig sailing system by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2447" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Spars (Company)">Southern Spars</a>, for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Echo Yachts (Company)">Echo Yachts</a> 58.63-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13716" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Charley 358.63m (192'4&quot;)Echo Yachts2028">Project ASC58</a> catamaran. This milestone yacht will become the only sailing catamaran with this rig and the largest in the world.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13716" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Charley 358.63m (192'4&quot;)Echo Yachts2028"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/370390/image/large-7995a1c326ea45004fe91bc723642e02.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/370390"></a>The 58-metre yacht, designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/230" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dykstra Naval Architects (Company)">Dykstra Naval Architects</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2130" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="One2Three (Company)">One2Three</a>, and being built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Echo Yachts (Company)">Echo Yachts</a>, will introduce a new standard for performance and efficiency in large multihulls.&nbsp;Featuring two free-standing, rotating masts and a fully automated sail-handling system, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13716" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Charley 358.63m (192'4&quot;)Echo Yachts2028">ASC58</a>’s entire sail plan can be operated by a single person via a digital control panel.The rig is based on the proven DynaRig platform used on iconic superyachts such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Black Pearl106.7m (350'1&quot;)Oceanco2018">Black Pearl</a>, where 2,900 square-metres of sail area can be set in just seven minutes. With 1,660 square-metres of sail area, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13716" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Charley 358.63m (192'4&quot;)Echo Yachts2028">ASC58</a> will be able to cruise for extended distances while using wind power.“Kicking off production on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13716" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Charley 358.63m (192'4&quot;)Echo Yachts2028">ASC58</a> DynaRig is a huge moment for our team,” said Rudy Jurg, Head of DynaRig Sales at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2447" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Spars (Company)">Southern Spars</a>. “The world knows the DynaRig, but we’ve been developing it relentlessly, and we can’t wait to show what it can do. This is an exciting step towards fundamentally changing the way large vessels harness the wind.”The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13716" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Charley 358.63m (192'4&quot;)Echo Yachts2028">ASC58</a> yacht is among the first yachts set to showcase the new modular DynaRig within the next 18 months.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/333393/image/large-405f213c9b7af72f070a0785232d6ce1.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/333393">Currently, the moulds have reached <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2447" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Spars (Company)">Southern Spar</a>s' facility in Ustron, Poland. To make lightweight and strong spars for large vessels, the rigs will use a combination of carbon fibre reinforcements and precisely moulded components.&nbsp;In addition, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2447" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Spars (Company)">Southern Spars</a>' sister company, North Windships, is developing rigs that scale from 1,000 square-metres Panamax models for ships over 70 metres length overall to three-rig configurations for ships over 200 metres. This concept is designed to reduce costs, simplify installation, and utilise wind propulsion as an option for a wide range of boats, from superyachts and cargo ships to cruise ships.The first vessel to launch with this new generation of DynaRig will be <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7777" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Greenpeace Australia Pacific (Company)">Greenpeace</a>’s upcoming sailing ship, scheduled for an early 2027 debut.Photo courtesy of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2447" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Spars (Company)">Southern Spars</a>.&nbsp;

DynaRig for worlds largest sailing Catamaran ASC58 begins production

Production is underway on a twin-masted DynaRig for Project ASC58, set to be the world’s largest sailing catamaran and the only one with this rig.

Production underway for Echo Yachts 58m "world's largest sailing catamaran" ASC58

Project Metamorphosis, one of two 72-metre sister ships in-build at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">The Italian Sea Group</a>’s superyacht facility in Tuscany, is the first superyacht designed inside and out by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/558" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Armani/Casa (Company)">Giorgio Armani</a>. We visited the yard to catch up with the project leaders as the yacht prepares for her technical launch in April.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/191275/image/large-967f6db1fa63591ac112767b3d80b7de.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/191275">The idea of inviting <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/558" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Armani/Casa (Company)">Giorgio Armani</a> to create a custom design for the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/570" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Admiral (Company)">Admiral</a> brand came to Giovanni Costantino, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">The Italian Sea Group (TISG)</a>, when he was walking past the Emporio Armani store, a vast building that occupies a whole block in Milan’s city centre. Armani was no stranger to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> having twice refitted his own yacht, 65-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/585" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Main65.0m (213'3&quot;)Codecasa S.p.A.2008">Main</a>, at the group’s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/194" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="NCA Refit (Company)">NCA Refit</a>facility. It took another six months for the two men to meet in person, but it didn’t take long for the famous fashion designer to take up the challenge.&nbsp;Working to a heavily revised concept platform, the collaboration required constant back-and-forth between Armani’s creative team and the shipyard’s engineers. Armani would sketch ideas, which were then transformed into detailed blueprints by the shipyard’s engineering team, who made adjustments for practicality while staying true to the original design intent. The dynamic ensured that the 2,070GT superyacht would embody the designer’s signature style that blends discreet aesthetics with functional luxury, but also meet the required performance and technical parameters. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>'s global managing partner Michel Chryssicopoulos quickly found a buyer for what became Project Metamorphosis and her sister ship, Project Visionary, sold a few months later.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355528/image/large-8a4b93215ae955bd3c6e3ff8ebdd3974.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355528">“The challenge was to craft a bold visual statement without relying on unnecessary ornamentation,” says Costantino. “The yacht had to be practical to operate, but also a piece of modern design that conveys timeless beauty."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355529/image/large-b643b1d774300160ee340d3b049fcd1d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355529">Heart of GlassArmani’s minimalistic aesthetic makes ample use of glass, both externally and internally, &nbsp;with full-height panoramic windows on multiple decks. In fact, there are 310 square metres of external glass windows supplied by Sedak GmbH amounting to 15.5 tonnes in weight (in addition to 230 square metres and 4.5 tonnes of decorative interior glass). The windows on the main deck and bridge deck are also cantilevered outboard – these glass panes are not only massive, they also had to be able to withstand extreme weather conditions at sea without compromising the overall aesthetic.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355530/image/large-db369a0e0d47bfa6a727a9e75a6da96d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355530">“One of the first things we did was a feasibility study and FEM analysis to make sure the structure could take the stresses the yacht would be subjected to during her life,“ says project manager Davide Santagostino. “This analysis had to take into account not only the weight of the glass, but also the stresses caused by water movement and the external forces in high wind-load conditions. Further engineering was required with regard to weight distribution and stability, and we had to find creative ways to place internal structural pillars without disrupting the open-plan layout.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/312192/image/large-a079f18cc169d0cb84f162aa0ec17172.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/312192">The cantilevered glass further provides for an angled skylight above the main window pane in the guest cabins and bathrooms on main deck, which noticeably increases the amount of natural light entering the interiors. The sky lounge on the bridge deck, designed as an versatile cinema area for year-round use in summer and winter, has electrically operated floor-to-ceiling glass panes on three sides. The panes measuring up to 1.8 metres in diameter can be stacked in the open position to provide a plein air space in warmer weather or a more enclosed, sheltered environment when cruising colder climes. Forward of the very spacious wheelhouse is a deep Portuguese bridge that can be used as a relaxation area for the crew. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355526/image/large-0256e54a228047749d1b844444d87f7a.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355526">Going the DistanceIn the spring of 2024 Project Metamorphosis found a new owner in a sale brokered by Darrell Hall of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yachtzoo (Company)">Yachtzoo</a>. The change of ownership, just three months before the projected launch, presented further challenges for both the shipyard and the new owner’s team.“When I came on board, we were already at a stage where we realised there would be several adjustments necessary to meet the new owner’s requirements for personal use and with a view to charter," says Captain David Pott, who joined the project shortly after the resale. "Sustainability was not a prime motivator for the owner, but he was keen to integrate eco-friendly measures into the design as much as possible. He wanted a yacht that was able to go the distance – both literally and figuratively – and do so responsibly in full compliance with environmental regulations.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355533/image/large-341ae86dd47ae434d5d75d1fcf1b1a95.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355533">The owner's desire to explore high latitudes – the Northwest Passage is just one item on a planned multi-year circumnavigation – meant uprating the yacht to Polar Class 1C certification, the lowest ice classification based on first-year ice in the Baltic Sea and Arctic Ocean. Although the hull was built with an ice belt of 12mm steel plating to withstand some ice conditions, the former owner had not opted to pursue formal certification. The shipyard team got to work to make the modifications required to meet the requirements. Amongst other measures, this involved upgrading the rudderpost, pintles, steering gear and propellers, installing freeze-protection valves, making new stability calculations that take into account ice accretion, and addressing environmental protection requirements.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355523/image/large-fca67b5ef0751f76a062767500463ad7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355523">The latter led to an owner’s request for enhancements to the yacht’s SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system by increasing the urea storage capacity. Injected as a water-based solution, the urea undergoes hydrolysis to produce ammonia, which reacts with NOx in the catalytic elements, effectively converting the harmful pollutants into harmless water vapor and nitrogen gas. Under Tier III diesel emissions regulations, in theory a vessel is required to carry only enough urea to run the SCR within a NOx Emission Control Area (ECA), but the owner wanted to use the system regardless of where his yacht is in the world – a prescient decision given that the list of ECAs will expand to include the Mediterranean as of May of this year. Besides neutralising NOx emissions, the SCR system also reduces exhaust noise and helps trap soot particles so they don’t find their way onto the deck, into the swimming pool and into the water around the yacht.“This was a major modification as we had to rework the tankage to include more urea storage, which impacted the yacht’s fuel capacity,” says Andrea Bigagli, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> Corporate Strategic Director. “In the end we were able to add more urea tankage without compromising the yacht’s cruising range of 6,000 nautical miles.”“We took the view that emissions regulations are getting stricter all the time, so why not try to reduce as much as possible our environmental impact from the outset?” adds chief engineer Sam Needham. “We asked the shipyard to investigate the possibility of having the SCR units running all the time and they were happy to do that, which is a big improvement from our side. Basically, the yacht will run out of fuel before it runs out of urea.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355531/image/large-278f6ff9f27edee7ce605f5f5ef9e8a4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355531">Future ProofIn line with the owner's desire for a tech-savvy and future-proofed yacht, the AV/IT systems underwent substantial upgrades. Working alongside AV/IT integrator Pibiesse, four Starlink antennas were added to the spec and cabling was augmented to ensure high throughput, redundancy, and future scalability for data-heavy applications like live video feeds, conferencing, and multimedia entertainment.&nbsp;“Given the rapid advance of high-bandwidth systems, this upgrade was designed to future-proof the yacht’s AV/IT capacity in years to come,” says Bigagli. “The idea is that as new tech emerges, it can be seamlessly integrated into the existing infrastructure without requiring a complete system overhaul.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355536/image/large-f2ca65aa498b52f2bb9742375ddbad61.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355536">Another important upgrade came in the form of an integrated bridge system from Furuno. This high-end addition improves the yacht’s navigation and operational capabilities, but also extends the vessel's usability in far-flung and possibly uncharted locations. The new bridge equipment includes FLIR thermal cameras and a WASSP multibeam sonar for mapping the seabed in high-resolution 3D. Using a tender in advance of the mothership, the system’s wide-angle sonar transducer maps the seafloor to find the safest passage and anchorage. The yacht also features telescopic wing stations with floors that pop up flush with the deck when extended, and a pantographic mechanism for the console controls inside the bulwarks.Other modifications include the addition of an ice bath next to the hottub on the sundeck, stacked storage for four jet skis in the forward tender garage with their own lifting gear, and a much bigger transom hatch that hinges down into a recess in the swim platform for flush access to the beach club. A unique feature and testament to the high level of detailing is the design of the handrails. Curved to follow the shape of the bulwarks, each stanchion is slightly different and the rails themselves, although capped with teak on the inside, present a polished stainless-steel profile on the outside to complement the crisp exterior styling. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/312648/image/large-0aaba726a90db74276874e072ae95030.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/312648">Customisation and CollaborationProject Metamorphosis is due for delivery in June and is expected to be a showstopper at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/271" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2025">Monaco Yacht Show</a> in September. The late change of ownership and subsequent customisation requests inevitably meant delays, but enthusiastic collaboration between the owner’s team and the shipyard has been key to ensuring a successful result as the project enters the home straight.&nbsp;“We’ve been able to tweak a few things, but we could see right from the start that the shipyard had put together a solid package and the foundations for a strong vessel were already there,” says chief engineer Sam Needham, who reviewed the design and specifications before the resale. “Now it’s just a question of supporting the shipyard as much as we can to help them get across the finish line.”-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355534/image/large-b088dcaf6076bd870356fa7cb6deb74f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355534">Digital twinsShortly after the yacht changed hands, the owner’s team brought in Paul Shersby of Film360 Ltd to create a complete ‘digital twin’ of the project during construction using a Matterport LiDAR camera to capture spaces in high-resolution 3D. Working at night when the yacht was empty and progressing from tank deck to top deck, at the time of going to print Shersby had scanned the entire yacht four times (a complete 3D picture takes 500 scans or more) at intervals of six to eight weeks. While the system has been used to provide navigable interiors of finished yachts and residences for commercial purposes, the technology also allows the owner’s team to remotely track the construction as it progresses.&nbsp;“It’s been a really useful tool that I think will be picked up by others,” says Captain Todd. “For example, we can see all the cable and piping runs, where wi-fi routers are located, the black and grey water routes – basically everything below the deckheads or behind the walls before they’re covered up. It means if there’s a leak or other issues later on, we have a better idea of where the problem might be without having to take the interior to pieces.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355527/image/large-20cef72894db9111d27266d505e3308f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355527"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">The Italian Sea Group</a>Owner of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/511" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tecnomar (Company)">Tecnomar</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/570" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Admiral (Company)">Admiral</a>, Picchiotti, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/51" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Perini Navi (Company)">Perini Navi</a>, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/511" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tecnomar (Company)">Tecnomar</a> for Lamborghini brands, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> headquarters in Marina di Carrara has two of the largest private dry docks in the Mediterranean: a 200-metre long basin and a second 147-metre dock inaugurated in 2021. There is second <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> facility in Viareggio and a third one in La Spezia for a combined area of more than 244,000 square metres, 18 production sheds, over 1,500m of berthing, a 3,300-ton floating barge, and a keel pit in La Spezia used by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/194" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="NCA Refit (Company)">NCA Refit</a> that manages the group’s maintenance and refit services. In addition, the group operates two leased facilities in Antalya and Yalova, Turkey, for the production of its steel hulls and aluninium superstructures. It also has its own furniture manufacturing company, Celi Srl.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> was listed on the Italian stock exchange in 2021. Excluding the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/511" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tecnomar (Company)">Tecnomar</a> for Lamborghini 63, at the beginning of 2025 it reported 22 active new-build projects across its portfolio of brands for a total length of 1,356 metres. These projects include Project Titanium, currently the largest yacht under construction in Italy at 100 metres and 3,800GT.&nbsp;This article was first published in <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Issue 7 of &nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title=""></a><a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">How to Build It</a><a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title=""></a><a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">magazine, which can be downloaded here</a>

Metamorphosis yacht build report

We visited the yard to catch up with the project leaders as the yacht prepares for her technical launch in April.

The Italian Job: Building the 72-metre Armani-designed Metamorphosis at Admiral

The 26-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6854" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="St. Barth Yachting (Company)">St Barth</a> 85 fly motor yacht, currently in construction in the Netherlands, is nearing completion with delivery scheduled for February 2025. Following her hull launch in November 2023, SuperYacht Times takes a first look at her interior and exterior renderings.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/345078/image/large-e77ec7265bc66d922a7bc2df366baebd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/345078">Constructed entirely of aluminium, the yacht’s exterior and interior design are the work of AR Design. Her naval architecture was penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6854" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="St. Barth Yachting (Company)">Wijk Yacht Creations</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/345077/image/large-c9d8c8d4cdfb5ce7cec5f47b76d566ea.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/345077">The yacht accommodates eight guests in four luxurious staterooms, along with three crew members housed in two cabins. Her beam of 6.3-metres and 63 GT interior volume ensures spacious living areas. Adding to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6854" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="St. Barth Yachting (Company)">St Barth</a>’s charm are her high ceilings, which exceed 2.1-metres across all decks.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/345073/image/large-ccc0896ac37cb96f4e7ded7deb28b08b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/345073">Standout features include the Jacuzzi at the bow, and dining area located on the bridge deck. Sitting six metres above sea level, guests can enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree views through expansive windows.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/345075/image/large-5ea6129339268d14cf8451a92c1ba47a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/345075">Adjacent to the U-shaped galley is the dining area, which features a long bench along the window side and four bucket chairs surrounding a table that comfortably seats eight.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/284842/image/large-30266e6e7c70a7f7c80959fd1edc3189.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/284842">The dining table, supported by robust stainless-steel legs, is constructed with premium materials, offering both durability and elegance. This arrangement allows the chef to cook in full view of the guests, fostering a convivial atmosphere perfect for family gatherings.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/284843/image/large-b6d75c6d688bd3ecb998084e87eace77.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/284843">This new Dutch design maximises space and practicality, featuring a bow jacuzzi with a built-in tank that empties in three minutes and refills in eight. The tender is stored in a garage beneath the beach club, keeping decks obstacle-free, while a foldable water faucet adds a smart touch.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/284838/image/large-5baac8d1f0e1afb3566b0fc21574eeaf.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/284838">The yacht boasts high ceilings exceeding 2.1-metres across all decks and achieves a cruising speed of 20 knots and a top speed of 28 knots, powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a> IPS 1350hp engines.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/284837/image/large-f71f1df2f915998a5f3f5342ecbb8812.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/284837">

First look at at in-build 26m St Barth 85 fly motor yacht

The 26-metre St-Barth 85 motor yacht, designed by AR Design and Wijk Yacht Creations, is nearing completion.

First look at in-build 26m St Barth 85 fly motor yacht

Eyebrows were raised when fibreglass builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Permare s.r.l. (Company)">Permare</a> announced construction had started on its first steel and aluminium superyacht. Two more Amer Steel projects followed in rapid succession. We take a closer look at the 41-metre explorer yacht, which will be the first to launch next year and the first steel hull to carry <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a>’s new IPS professional platform.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340489/image/large-1f2740a0273d1e4b5e9544b2b37e893b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340489">Two years ago when <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Permare s.r.l. (Company)">Permare</a> started cutting steel on a 70-metre flagship, it represented a massive scaling up in size for the family-owned boatbuilder. The group has been building in fibreglass under the Amer Yachts brand for over 30 years and enjoys a loyal customer base, but the largest model in its composite range to date, the 36.5-metre Amer 120, is fully half the overall length and a fraction of the volume.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340522/image/large-b26af8d7cdbf9d5a24efba8f37619b6c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340522">“It’s true we’re known for our smaller fibreglass boats, but Permare also has three refit shipyards in Liguria – <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanremo Ship s.r.l. (Company)">Cantiere Sanremo Ship</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4551" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cantieri Navali del Mediterraneo (Company)">Cantieri del Mediterraneo</a>, and Cantieri del Ponente,” says Barbara Amerio, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Permare s.r.l. (Company)">Permare</a> CEO. “One refit was the complete restoration of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6899" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Destiny S28.8m (94'6&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1959">Destiny S</a>, a classic 1959 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/192" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholson</a>, which involved rebuilding the riveted steel hull, so it’s not like we’re unfamiliar with the material and began building in steel overnight.“<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340479/image/large-f1335a56a4217cbb5b3e1a2762765a97.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340479">However, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Permare s.r.l. (Company)">Permare</a> had no serious plans to start building new in steel until a satisfied refit client approached them for the 70-metre project. That contract was quickly followed by another with an experienced client introduced by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/283" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Luiz de Basto Designs (Company)">Luiz De Basto</a> for a 41-metre explorer yacht, and a third sale for a 50-metre hull with a repeat client looking to upgrade from composite to metal. Although all are being built in rented hangars in Pisa, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Permare s.r.l. (Company)">Permare</a> is investing in a new state-of-the-art facility nearby that should be up and running by the end of next year (see sidebar at end of article).<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340491/image/large-7ccc5755943bdeeaef6168be047b94d8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340491">EVEN FURTHERThe client <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/283" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Luiz de Basto Designs (Company)">De Basto</a> brought to the table is the previous owner of the 46.5-metre explorer <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1257" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Far Far Away46.58m (152'10&quot;)INACE Yachts2012">Far Far Away</a>, also designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/283" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Luiz de Basto Designs (Company)">De Basto</a> and launched by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanremo Ship s.r.l. (Company)">Inace</a> in 2012. The new yacht bears a distinct family resemblance with its raised fo'c's'le and open foredeck for storing tenders, but is a much more sophisticated version of the Brazilian boat in every way. Moreover, as a full-custom Ice Class project it differs from the other two hulls in build that form part of the Amer Steel series designed by Antonio Luxardo of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5771" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Optima Design (Company)">Optima Design</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340520/image/large-33f20b64177b629e1c30ee582ba4c111.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340520">“The owner went all over the place with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1257" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Far Far Away46.58m (152'10&quot;)INACE Yachts2012">Far Far Away</a> and knew exactly what he wanted,” says De Basto. “His new yacht, which will be called Even Further, is basically a distillation of everything he liked about the old one minus the things he didn’t like, such as the Jacuzzi on the fly bridge that he never used, and I added some of my own ideas along the way.”One such idea are the two cranes integrated into the forward bulwarks, a feature that appeared in De Basto’s 62-metre Nautilus concept for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise Yachts</a>. The two 7.5-metre tenders stored in the foredeck well are large for the size of yacht, hence the cranes have a lifting capacity of 2,500kg (one will also serve as a life-saving appliance for the rescue tender) and a reach of 7 metres. At the time of our visit to Pisa, the cranes were still being built by Mor Saverio, a specialist in the design and construction of hydraulic hardware in Brescia in northern Italy. Although it has been suppling the yachting industry with platforms, gangways and shell doors for 45 years, the brand is less well known than some other suppliers of hydraulic equipment.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340496/image/large-cd731117ef9c5462f415f14253a1de22.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340496">“<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Permare s.r.l. (Company)">Permare</a> gave us a lot freedom to make certain decisions when it came to the technical design process,” says Luxardo. “For example, they did not necessarily have contacts with the best suppliers for a steel project, so we developed the interface with the right companies so we could integrate the technical components into the design from the start. If you can define the maker’s list in advance it avoids revisions down the line and improves the build quality.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5771" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Optima Design (Company)">Optima Design</a> engineered the whole yacht in 3D and optimised the the concept and hull lines by De Basto to match the common technical platform developed for the Amer Steel series. The studio has also moved eight of its staff into an on-site office in Pisa to oversee the construction.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340497/image/large-f31232f8514085bcb0de069534353af6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340497">“We prefer to have a team on site,” &nbsp;says Michele Zignego, head of engineering at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5771" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Optima Design (Company)">Optima Design</a>. “Decisions have to be made on a daily basis and the idea is to keep as close to the original design and engineering as possible. When you’re dealing with multiple suppliers and subcontractors, it gives us more executive control.”FOUR IS BETTER THAN TWOControl was especially important as the 41-metre explorer will be the first steel hull to be equipped with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a>’s new IPS40 professional platform for superyachts up to around 55 metres in length. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Permare s.r.l. (Company)">Permare</a> is accustomed to equipping its composite boats with IPS propulsion, but the latest iteration has a very different configuration and added another level of complexity. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a> was still engineering the concept when construction started and will not start series production until next year.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340501/image/large-c061435cb9128c2fbdce9e43a885a3dd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340501">The new IPS system is powered by not one but two<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">&nbsp;Volvo Penta</a> D13 engines, which are paired with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units to comply with the IMO Tier III standards. Based on average operational profiles, the &nbsp;dual-power input is designed to offer increased flexibility, modularity and sustainability. The platform is also pre-prepared for a mix of power sources, from combustion engines running on renewable fuels to fully electric or hybrid solutions (see the article Going Pro on how <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a> developed the system in <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Issue 6 of How to Build It</a>) .&nbsp;The four engines, each with their own SCR unit, occupy a slightly smaller footprint than a pair of bigger engines with drive shafts, but they still required a fresh look at the layout of the engine room to ensure – in Zignego’s words – “everything fit everything into a compact space on a compact yacht.” In addition, the IPS system was originally designed for semi-displacement and planing boats and you can’t just copy and paste it onto a steel displacement hull. Unlike traditional shaft drives, the pods have to be mounted parallel to the hull to ensure all the available power is used to drive the yacht forward efficiently, but the buttocks of a displacement hull slope up towards the stern. To create a horizontal surface for mounting the pods, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5771" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Optima Design (Company)">Optima Design</a> had to design a hydrodynamic ‘blister’ under the stern and shared its CFD data and tank test results at MARIN with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a> so it could finalise the through-hull interface.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340523/image/large-7087805b4d4bad673fe3fc61fc560592.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340523"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340500/image/large-339c0872950eeeb08400db4c1efb586b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340500">CHILL OUTAmer yachts customarily have air-conditioned engine rooms and the Amer 41 Steel is equipped with a separate chiller system for the engine room. Ordinarily, supply and extraction fans take care of the combustion air intake and fresh outside air to dissipate heat from engines, boilers, generators and electrical equipment. This can involve very large amounts of air with huge fans and ducting systems. According to ISO 8861 the base for the ambient outside temperature is set at 35°C with a temperature rise from the passing air of 12.5K. But If you’re sailing in an area where the outside air temperature is higher or cruising in an icy area with sub-zero temperatures – as the Ice Class explorer is likely to do – a different approach is needed.“Instead of big fans we have a dedicated chiller and RCU [Recycled air handling] that controls the air circulation in the engine room, but also the pressure, temperature and humidity level, which brings multiple benefits,” says Luxardo. “Everything lasts longer and runs better because you’re removing the humidity and most equipment prefers cooler air; watermakers are very sensitive to heat, for example. At the same time, you’re getting rid of those big, noisy air ducts and you can see that smaller trunking means we have more usable space in the main saloon.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340522/image/large-b26af8d7cdbf9d5a24efba8f37619b6c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340522">Amer Yachts has a loyal client base that tends to move up in size with the brand, but there comes a point when that means building in steel or aluminium and they have to look elsewhere. By establishing Amer Steel, the strategy is to keep those customers in the family fold.“It may be a client looking to upscale from fibreglass, or someone who has already owned metal yachts and has a specific idea for something a bit different,” concludes Amerio. “We’re a boutique shipyard in some ways because we build in small numbers, but that means we can also be very flexible if owners come to us well prepared with clear ideas about what they want.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340492/image/large-6114b87d6a5831013f96e872421c1d5f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340492">Sidebar: Sustainable construction<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Permare s.r.l. (Company)">Permare</a> was founded by Fernando Amerio in 1973 in Sanremo to offer nautical services to a growing clientele from Liguria and the nearby French Riviera. In the early ‘90s, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Permare s.r.l. (Company)">Permare</a> began building boats under its own brand, Amer Yachts, and the first to launch was a 20-metre model. Today, its products have been exported well beyond the Mediterraean to &nbsp;the USA, the Middle East and the Far East. Sustainable solutions have long been central to the brand’s ethos and Barbara Amerio is both company CEO and and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) manager.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340499/image/large-05be04c617857d652e21af607b5c080e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340499">Steel is a recyclable material, but what about alternatives to fibreglass for your composite production?We’re looking into hybrid materials to replace traditional fibreglass and the Amer 120, our biggest model which will be presented this year, was designed to use less composite by replacing it with aluminium for the superstructure. This reduced the amount of fibreglass for the hull and the flybridge by four tonnes. Now we’re going a step further and introducing a third material: basalt fibre derived from melting basalt rock at extremely high temperatures and then processing it into fine filaments that are woven to create a cloth. Basalt cloth is a versatile material with a wide range of applications and provides excellent mechanical, thermal, chemical and electrical properties.This is all part of an ESG [Environmental, Social, and Governance]&nbsp;study with RINA to measure the integration of sustainable principles into our corporate strategies and activities. The assessment uses a rating methodology based on a set of key indicators according to international best practices. We’ve created an international working group with the bio-resin coming from France, the PET core from Sweden, and the basalt fibre from Germany to create a bio-composite that will be a completely recyclable. We’ve already ordered the first shipment of RINA-certified basalt fibre, and the idea is to build two decks, one in fibreglass and one using basalt fibre, then make comparison tests. All this is happening in Tuscany where our mould-maker will be the first to infuse the deck of a 106-footer made from this new hybrid material. We want to be the first to develop something that works, but once we have the results we don’t plan to keep it to ourselves and will make our findings available to other builders.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/340494/image/large-28c832c88ee86983126f199e13514399.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/340494">Tell us more about the new shipyard Amer is planning in Pisa Navicelli.It represents an investment of around €12 million in total and the local municipality has already accepted our development plans. We’re just waiting for final approval as the building is close to the airport; if all goes well we hope to be operational by the end of 2025. It will be the production base for Amer Steel where we will build yachts from 40 to 70-plus metres, but our sweet spot is somewhere in the middle where we can still use Volvo Penta IPS propulsion. It will be a cutting-edge facility, both in terms of architecture and environmental impact, with human capital at the centre of its design. The idea is that the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Permare s.r.l. (Company)">Permare</a> philosophy is reflected in the building itself.This article was originally published in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-6" target="_blank">Issue 6 of How To Build It</a>. You can read all the articles from this edition&nbsp;<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-5" target="_blank">here</a>, and stay up-to-date with all previous editions&nbsp;<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine" target="_blank">here</a>.

Building Amer 41 steel yacht

Justin Ratcliffe visits Amer Yachts to report on the Amer 41 Steel.

From fibreglass to steel: Building the Amer 41 Steel

Leapher Yachts on 61m Horizon superyacht in-build

Justin Ratcliffe takes a look at Leapher Yachts and its first 61m steel explorer yacht Horizon, which is currently in-build. 

Build Report: Leapher Yachts first 61m steel explorer yacht Horizon

Build Report: Project Zero

We visit the fossil-fuel-free Project Zero sailing yacht under construction at Vitters Shipyard 

Build Report: 69m Vitters fossil-fuel-free Project Zero sailing yacht

Build Report: Feadship's Project 821

We visited the project at the Royal Van Lent shipyard in Amsterdam just prior to the launch of Feadship's Project 821. 

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Build Report: Feadship's 119m hydrogen fuel-cell yacht Project 821

Making Turquoise Yachts' 79m superyacht Toro

Team Toro breaks down the ins and outs of constructing the 79-metre Turquoise superyacht Project Toro. 

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Build Report: Crafting Turquoise Yachts' 79m superyacht Toro

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> has launched the 89-metre Project 828 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12427" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Milky Way89.0m (291'12&quot;)Feadship2026">Milky Way</a> from its Royal Van Lent shipyard in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396324/image/large-d7c701ac79a9f785ee73706e82a68384.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396324">The custom superyacht features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/30" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="De Voogt Naval Architects (Company)">Studio De Voogt</a>, with interiors by British design studio <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>. Technical support for the project was provided by OCCAM. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12427" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Milky Way89.0m (291'12&quot;)Feadship2026">Project 828</a> was sold in 2023 and has since remained under construction in the Netherlands.The launch follows an earlier construction milestone in May 2025, when the yacht was seen out of the shed for the first time as her hull was launched from the NMC hull fabrication facility in Nieuw-Lekkerland.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396325/image/large-258dd0e051c8879b02bf26f5a2e5d236.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396325">According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12427" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Milky Way89.0m (291'12&quot;)Feadship2026">Project 828</a>’s purposely long bow was developed to optimise exterior deck spaces, pushing the yacht’s volume aft and creating a profile defined by strong horizontal lines, a striking vertical bow and long structural deck lines.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396323/image/large-f71c6523299ec8b45784e401bab8b1b4.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396323"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12427" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Milky Way89.0m (291'12&quot;)Feadship2026">Milky Way</a>'s interior, designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>, has been developed to complement the exterior, with soft, flowing lines intended to create a cohesive spatial experience throughout the guest and owner areas.

89m Feadship project 828 Milky Way launched in Amsterdam

The 89m Feadship superyacht Feadship 828, Project Milky Way,  has been launched. 

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<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4385" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bering Yachts (Company)">Bering Yachts</a> has unveiled the interior concept for its 33-metre explorer yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4385" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bering Yachts (Company)">Bering</a> 110, developed in collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4720" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Yacht Design (Company)">Red Yacht Design</a>. The reveal offers a first look inside the model, with the first hull currently under construction.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/372249/image/large-9ffc2bdc420009249ec1e58cf2df10ec.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/372249">Conceived as a crossover yacht, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16391" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bering 110/0133.3m (109'3&quot;)Bering Yachts2027">Bering 110</a> aims to combine explorer yacht capabilities with the volume and comfort more commonly associated with larger vessels. While her steel hull and projected range of more than 5,000 nautical miles highlight her exploration credentials, her interior design takes a more restrained direction.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396259/image/large-f625f19ab89d937510477f384352590f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396259"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396260/image/large-a2b92ec224adb00b9d7dd82abc89d6e7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396260">According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4720" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Yacht Design (Company)">Red Yacht Design</a>, the model’s interiors draw inspiration from Far Eastern principles of simplicity, balance and precision. The main saloon has been conceived as a continuous living space where the lounge, dining area and window seating flow naturally into one another. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396261/image/large-cc4e5a6cd3ef0e8648071aa84ed8aa4c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396261">Warm wood panelling, soft neutral tones, raw marble surfaces and placed burgundy accents are meticulously layered, while a curved sofa serves as the focal point of the lounge. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396263/image/large-0399d48b166deffd4f40f4913f613896.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396263">Moreover, textured stone and bronze-toned detailing are combined with carefully layered lighting, while a sculptural staircase frames her darker finishes.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396262/image/large-ce40fe1687e59360a3005f217a6e43f4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396262" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396270/image/large-ad0ab9b178534091e4385f873d3d1d9c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396270">Full-height wooden windows let in abundant natural light and the surrounding sea views. Cana Gokhan of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4720" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Yacht Design (Company)">Red Yacht Design</a> further remarks,“The details are clean and deliberate, with subtle nods to the discipline of calligraphy.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396266/image/large-e4501624263e2141f062a608fa7b3791.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396266">Her interiors are imagined as a space where guests can genuinely unwind. Rather than displaying traditional superyacht opulence, the yacht’s design prioritises stillness, comfort and liveability.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396267/image/large-b4c50c8988ec45e5ee044bbec49a62ac.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396267" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396264/image/large-8b953afd3227d4243379a0203dd395a2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396264">The layout remains closely aligned with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4385" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bering Yachts (Company)">Bering</a>'s explorer identity. Her asymmetrical main saloon benefits from generous width and circulation. The owner's suite, additional guest accommodations and crew areas have been configured for extended stays onboard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396269/image/large-0acb9673d1b760945dfd2d9b0b56ca8f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396269" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">&nbsp;Dedicated storage with ample space for necessary supplies and equipment have also been incorporated to support long-range cruising and self-sufficiency at sea.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396268/image/large-ab189de88814a2399080943d53faafd3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396268" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396265/image/large-9161f81cc4dbee429d677289fd44aba4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396265">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16391" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bering 110/0133.3m (109'3&quot;)Bering Yachts2027">Bering 110</a> forms part of the shipyard's growing Superyacht Division, with additional interior details expected to be revealed as the project progresses. According to <a href="https://sytiq.superyachttimes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">SuperYacht iQ</a>,<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4385" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bering Yachts (Company)">&nbsp;Bering</a> has several yachts in-build including the 49.68-metre Bering 165 yacht, and the first hull of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16391" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bering 110/0133.3m (109'3&quot;)Bering Yachts2027">Bering 110</a>.&nbsp;

 Bering unveils interior concept for in-build 33m explorer yacht Bering 110

Bering has unveiled the interior concept for its in-build 33-metre explorer yacht Bering 110, developed in collaboration with Red Yacht Design. 


<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Yachts (Company)">ISA Yachts</a> has announced that the keel of the third 43.7-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17023" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Unica 45M/0343.7m (143'4&quot;)ISA Yachts2029">ISA Unica 45M</a> yacht has been laid from the shipyard in Ancona, Italy, marking the start of her construction. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396273/image/large-966918cdfe1cdf289affc294bd4fded0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396273">The sale of the third displacement yacht was announced in April 2026 to a client from the United States, with delivery scheduled for 2029. Developed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1197" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Team for Design - Enrico Gobbi (Company)">Enrico Gobbi of TEAM for Design</a> in collaboration with the shipyard’s technical department, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17023" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Unica 45M/0343.7m (143'4&quot;)ISA Yachts2029">ISA Unica 45M</a> yacht features a steel hull and aluminium superstructure.&nbsp;Distinguished by fluid, perfectly balanced lines that create a sleek silhouette, the ISA Unica 45M yacht combines generous interior volume with extended outdoor spaces and large glazed sections.Read:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/65857" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Third ISA UNICA 45M Steel superyacht sold with 2029 delivery date (2026-04-14 20:30:00 +0200)">Third ISA UNICA 45M Steel superyacht sold with 2029 delivery date</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396272/image/large-8336c72513a1f53dfad504c1679588b9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396272">Spanning 430 GT, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17023" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Unica 45M/0343.7m (143'4&quot;)ISA Yachts2029">ISA Unica 45M</a> yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests across a six stateroom configuration, with her owner’s suite positioned aft on the upper deck. The suite includes a private lounge, desk area, walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom.Further guest accommodation includes a VIP suite on the main deck with large side windows, a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite with a separate shower, while the remaining guest accommodation can be found on the lower deck, comprising two further VIP suites and two twin suites.&nbsp;Moving outside, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17023" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Unica 45M/0343.7m (143'4&quot;)ISA Yachts2029">ISA Unica 45M</a> yacht boasts a stern layout spanning three levels. Descending towards the water, the space includes sunpads, a pool and an infinity cockpit, all of which are enclosed by a glass balustrade.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396271/image/large-796abe1179971e5145e9e562c63fbc12.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396271">Her main deck includes a gym, while dining spaces will be arranged both indoors on the main deck and outside on the upper deck, each accommodating up to 12 guests for formal dinners.Other key features include her upper deck which features a forward lounge and sunpad area, while her 16-metre fly deck incorporates additional lounging and dining spaces, a bar and a circular Jacuzzi.In terms of performance, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17023" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Unica 45M/0343.7m (143'4&quot;)ISA Yachts2029">ISA Unica 45M</a> yacht is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1408" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Caterpillar Inc (Company)">Caterpillar</a> engines, giving her a top speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots.

Keel of third ISA Unica 45m yacht laid

ISA Yachts has announced that the keel of the third 43.7-metre ISA Unica 45M yacht has been laid from the shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

Third ISA Unica 45M motor yacht keel laid

Dutch design studio <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/15" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vripack (Company)">Vripack</a> has revealed new renderings of in-build 69-metre sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Project Zero</a> ahead of her launch this summer, offering a closer look at her design philosophy, custom interiors, and renewable energy systems.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396254/image/large-94d02d1ae28bc065a048800a6e2d96e3.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396254">Developed in collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/230" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dykstra Naval Architects (Company)">Dykstra Naval Architects</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Project Zero</a> has spent six years in development. Rather than purely focusing on reducing energy consumption, the yacht is reported to be the first of her class to be designed around energy generation. This radical approach allows the yacht to run for up to two weeks on purely renewable sources, without relying on fossil fuels.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396253/image/large-7447c42b77f8a8f7bc690af39433370f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396253"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Project Zero</a> has been designed to honour the owners' appreciation for traditional sailing yachts while introducing a host of bespoke design solutions. Outside, custom elements can be found throughout, from the spoon bow and matte-finished deck hardware to the sculpted stern cap and hand-painted transom finished in a wood-effect treatment. Her notable metallic blue hull is further distinguished by a feather-inspired boot stripe, a reference to the black-browed albatross that served as a major inspiration for her design.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396256/image/large-a8857968400b95119871dc187c9832f9.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396256">Looking inside, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Project Zero</a> embraces a holistic interior concept centred on natural materials, craftsmanship and owner-focused living. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/15" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vripack (Company)">Vripack</a>’s interior rejects highly polished finishes in favour of tactile textures and organic materials to embody nature. Smoked European oak, reclaimed bark-based materials, leathered stone and hand-selected veneers are featured prominently throughout. Natural knots, cracks and grain variations have been deliberately preserved rather than concealed.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396255/image/large-213cb67058fc8448969608065d402377.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396255">A unifying design language runs throughout the entire yacht. The designers have employed curved architectural forms, shaping joinery, furniture, structural glazing, and lighting. They further remark that all elements either begin or end in a full radius, creating a sense of continuity between the spaces.The owners' choices can be seen throughout <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Project Zero</a>’s design. Her main saloon features a flexible dining table designed to double as a puzzle and craft table, reflecting the owners' hobbies during extended periods onboard. Elsewhere, modular cockpit furniture can be swiftly reconfigured into either lounge or dining arrangements. Meanwhile, electrically operated cockpit windows enable guests to enclose exterior spaces at the touch of a button.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396257/image/large-90f1c0052c3eb53d6f1ebf5adf3d6cce.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396257">Accommodation onboard includes four staterooms. Each stateroom is personalised around places of significance to the owners, all taking inspiration from destinations from Italy to French Polynesia. The owner’s suite is arranged around the mizzen mast, which has been wrapped in a bespoke artwork by American sculptor Sienna Martz. Moreover, this area benefits from a dedicated study to support long periods of working remotely while cruising.Further customisation extends behind the scenes, where the traditional full-beam engine room has been eliminated to make room for a concealed service corridor, enabling the crew to move discreetly throughout the yacht while maintaining guest privacy.According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/15" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vripack (Company)">Vripack</a>, the yacht combines hydro-generation through regenerative turbine propellers with more than 100-square-metres of photovoltaic thermal panels integrated into her biminis. These panels generate electrical and thermal energy to power onboard systems, heating and cooling.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396258/image/large-478db106ff098d1896050a1003af3d87.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396258">The yacht's sailing performance has also been refined thanks to a collaboration with Emirates Team New Zealand. Through advanced computational fluid dynamics testing, they developed a distinctive topside curvature that reportedly improves sailing speed by 2.5 percent while simultaneously increasing the vessel's electric power generation by approximately eight percent.Currently under construction at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters Shipyard</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Project Zero</a> is scheduled for launch in summer 2026.

First look: Vripack unveils interior concept of 69m ‘fossil-free’ sailing yacht Project Zero 

Interior concept of 69m sailing yacht Zero, an all-electric project by Vripack and Dykstra Naval Architects currently under construction at Vitters.

Recently spotted anchored off St Tropez by the SuperYacht Times team the 96-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> remains the largest modern private superyacht ever built in the United Kingdom. Constructed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/96" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Devonport (Company)">Devonport Yachts</a> in Plymouth and delivered in 2012, SuperYacht Times takes a look at 10 things you didn’t know about the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/96" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Devonport (Company)">Devonport</a> flagship.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395647/image/large-c8c0480475b32d2822ac3b4050fd16cb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395647">1. She has been under the same ownership since deliveryCommissioned in 2007 by a Swiss-Italian family and delivered in 2012, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> has remained within the family’s ownership for over a decade. Known as the former Project-55, she was launched on 10 September 2011 and christened <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a>, with her sea trials commencing in October 2011.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395636/image/large-784dda4f94be2bf21fab944a36c68946.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395636">2. She was built at a former naval shipyardFounded in 1989, by the Babcock International Group, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/96" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Devonport (Company)">Devonport Yachts</a> was based in Plymouth, Devon and was part of a tradition of boat building at the Devonport Royal Docks, which have been building and supporting The British Royal Navy for over three hundred years. Blending military-grade engineering with superyacht luxury, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/96" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Devonport (Company)">Devonport Yachts</a> put the UK on the map for large motor yacht designs. On 23 February 2010, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/96" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Devonport (Company)">Devonport Yachts</a> was acquired by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a>, with the two companies joining forces to expand the offering at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a>’ base in Falmouth.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395648/image/large-5c060da19ac4dc275b02e1e9083a83ba.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395648">3. The owner gifted his last superyacht to his motherThe name Vava has been used by the family on previous yachts, with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> succeeding an earlier vessel bearing the same name. The previous 47.3-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1064" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava47.3m (155'2&quot;)Feadship1996">Vava</a> was delivered in 1996, with the brief that her owner should enjoy the most peaceful long-distance cruising possible. The yacht was allegedly gifted to his mother when <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a>I was delivered. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395638/image/large-690e352299b20df7f4a808579a964981.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395638">4. Her owner won sailing's most famous trophyHer Swiss-Italian owner who as well as being listed as one of the top 100 wealthiest people in the world by Forbes magazine in 2013, is also a keen yachtsman and sailor. After founding the yachting syndicate Team Alinghi in 2000, her owner entered and won the renowned America’s Cup in 2003, bringing the Cup to Europe for the first time.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395644/image/large-8e6e948f928e48edf31db24a2923fcf6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395644">5. Her designers fought off competition to be chosen&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>, while her interior was penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/533" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rémi Tessier (Company)">Rémi Tessier</a>, with naval architecture by her builder Devonport. In an interview with SuperYacht Times in 2016, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a> Founder Justin Redman explained that it was an incredible opportunity to win the commission over other designers. “We felt we won it because we developed not only a very unique looking profile for her owner, but one which incorporated key influences which he had brought to the table from sailboat racing,” he explained.&nbsp;You can read the full interview <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/46674" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Insight: A behind-the-scenes look at Redman Whitely Dixon (2016-03-08 12:00:00 +0100)">here</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395643/image/large-c90cf5553c0191d6762a7293bea6cb81.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395643">6. She can accommodate a high number of guestsBuilt to SOLAS-36 passenger ship standards, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> set a new standard in the charter market for 2012 following her delivery. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> can comfortably accommodate up to 36 guests across an impressive 18 staterooms. Her master suite boasts an open-plan layout, while her full-beam VIP suite rivals other luxury yachts. She can also sleep a crew of 34. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395633/image/large-d1c97626edc7f61f7ed6e51652d62cfb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395633">7. She features one of the largest beach clubs of her generationWhen <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> was launched, expansive beach clubs were still relatively uncommon on large yachts. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> boasted a substantial waterside leisure area that helped set the standard for the indoor-outdoor lifestyle spaces that have since become commonplace across the superyacht sector. Other key features include an aft deck swimming pool, a main deck saloon with a sliding glass wall and a helideck, which was recently spotted with an Airbus H125 landing onboard. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395637/image/large-45075d272b12450df93265d130e80084.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395637">8. She has participated in scientific missions Although often spotted in the Mediterranean, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> was designed with global exploration in mind. She has been deployed for three research expeditions by scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and other research universities from around the world. Her substantial fuel capacity, advanced engineering systems and robust construction allow her to undertake extended voyages far beyond the traditional summer cruising grounds frequented by many large yachts. Over the years she has travelled as far as Antarctica and Polynesia and has participated in scientific missions in the Indian Ocean.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395645/image/large-9a7d3fd9d75bd6b12e895fb6df0b9175.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395645">9. She helped put British superyacht construction back in the spotlightThe delivery of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> attracted significant international attention and demonstrated that Britain could still compete in the upper size segments of superyacht construction. More than a decade later, she remains a lasting symbol of British engineering, design and craftsmanship.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395639/image/large-ce7d1bb5e1194e11f710c58e1226e024.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395639">10. She remains the largest modern superyacht built in the UK<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> still remains the largest modern superyacht ever constructed in the UK. The second largest modern superyacht is the 82-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/96" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Devonport (Company)">Devonport</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/307" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pure82.0m (269'0&quot;)Devonport2008">Pure</a>, which was launched in 2008 and recently underwent an extensive refit at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/86" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amico & Co. s.r.l. (Company)">Amico &amp; Co</a> facility in Genova Italy.

UK’s largest modern superyacht Vava II

SuperYacht Times takes a look at 10 things you didn’t know about the Devonport flagship, Vava II. 

Vava II: 10 things you didn't know about the UK's largest superyacht

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting&nbsp;</a>has announced that the 60.2-metre Xplorer 60 yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11078" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="After You60.2m (197'6&quot;)Damen Yachting2025">After You</a> and her 53.25-metre support vessel <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12677" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emotional53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2025">Emotional</a> have departed the builder's main shipyard in Vlissingen, the Netherlands. This departure follows a period of refit, service and optimisation works. According to AIS data, both vessels are currently en route to Reykjavik, Iceland.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396232/image/large-abd42b77a1b431f487ab944294f2e03e.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396232">The yard commented the works were customised to the owner's specific operational needs while preparing the fleet for extensive cruising and exploration in remote regions.Delivered in 2025, both vessels were conceived for long-range autonomy and expedition-style cruising. The pair were acquired by the same owner through <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TWW Yachts (Company)">TWW Yachts</a>, who oversaw their integration into a single exploration-focused fleet.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396229/image/large-f729916d9bf110968c318dc15a60c062.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396229"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11078" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="After You60.2m (197'6&quot;)Damen Yachting2025">After You</a> features naval architecture developed in-house by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a>, with exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/37" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture (Company)">Azure Yacht Design &amp; Naval Architecture</a> and interiors by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/161" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="H2 Yacht Design (Company)">H2 Yacht Design</a>. Her onboard amenities include a wellness deck equipped with a Jacuzzi, bar and sauna, a convertible tender hangar that transforms into a lounge and karaoke bar, and a forward observation lounge designed for wildlife and weather watching.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396230/image/large-5aa256db87522afed8b9fe78dbef7a37.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396230">Meanwhile, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12677" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emotional53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2025">Emotional</a> was designed inside and out by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a>. The support vessel carries a range of expedition equipment, including tenders, a submarine and watersports gear. This allows the mothership to remain dedicated to guest accommodation and entertainment.In terms of performance, both yachts are powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11078" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="After You60.2m (197'6&quot;)Damen Yachting2025">After You</a> has a cruising speed of 11.5 knots and a top speed of 14.5 knots, while <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12677" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emotional53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2025">Emotional</a> cruises at 12 knots and can reach a maximum speed of 19 knots. Together, the two vessels provide the capabilities of a much larger expedition yacht while retaining the flexibility and operational advantages of a dual-vessel setup.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396231/image/large-b80cda5f786823cbca02643d696ec9a9.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396231">“It is always rewarding to welcome our yachts back to Vlissingen,” said Head of Refit &amp; Services at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> Michel Coens. “Their return reflects the trust placed in our team, our facilities and the way we work together with the Owner’s team, the Crew and our own specialists. Seeing After You and Emotional depart again ready for their next journey is something we can be proud of.”&nbsp;Photos provided courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a>.

After You and Emotional depart Damen Yachting following refit

The 60.2-metre Xplorer 60 yacht After You and her 53.25-metre support vessel Emotional have departed the builder's main shipyard in Vlissingen.


Xplorer 60 yacht After You and support vessel Emotional depart Damen Yachting after refit

For owner Paul Andrews, the search for the right yacht was a journey that spanned more than a decade. However, when he first came across the 25.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/121" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palmer Johnson Yachts (Company)">Palmer Johnson</a> sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> online, something about her caught his attention. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394762/image/large-d54e9461baa90d5794ad964df495e456.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394762">“I first saw her in a video while I was searching for yachts,” he explained. “She was located in Thailand at the time, which was quite literally on the other side of the world from me, but her presence immediately stood out.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394534/image/large-bfddc47ecaf6a83efc8300953b5b19d9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394534">Originally launched in 1967, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> was the largest aluminium hulled sailing yacht in the world when she first hit the water. Built as a classic world cruising yacht, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> had circumnavigated the world three times, with voyages to the Antarctic and Arctic regions when she entered the market in 2022. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394541/image/large-c96b4ebc0ab5a9453459421e627799d7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394541">“The beam, the proportions and the sheer character of the yacht caught my attention straight away,” recalled Andrews. “I wasn’t specifically searching for a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/121" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palmer Johnson Yachts (Company)">Palmer Johnson</a>, but when she was built, she was engineered to a commercial, almost military-grade standard and built to navy specs, which gave her a genuine pedigree, strength and a fascinating story behind her.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394543/image/large-0b87ef55ef9559c3dc95e76eca2db6c7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394543">However, when Andrews finally travelled to Thailand to inspect the yacht in person, the initial impression was far from ideal. “It was raining heavily and she looked tired and neglected.” But returning the following day to see the yacht in clear conditions revealed a completely different vessel. “Her lines were beautiful and the potential became obvious. She simply needed vision and attention.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394544/image/large-f191bd60c4deb3732c009830efb76fc3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394544">In 2015 under the ownership of her previous owners, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> had started a refit programme spanning more than $1 million, which lasted five years and saw her receive a full teak interior refit. “It was clear that previous owners had already invested heavily in the yacht,” added Andrews. “The teak interior joinery was exceptional and the hull structure was sound. However, the layout did not fully make use of the yacht’s size.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394540/image/large-3bd64f4dfb231598384875f28fc57a05.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394540">With the help of Martin Holmes and his team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2262" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lee Marine International Brokerage (Company)">Lee Marine</a>, Andrews took a boat from Langkawi, Malaysia where he purchased <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> and started the process of refitting her in Phuket. “My vision was always to maximise the yacht without taking away the character that makes Firebird special,” he explained. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394689/image/large-066bcffa01ddea4816fadbefefba6fb6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394689">“Rather than remove that character, the refit focused on respecting the craftsmanship already onboard, while improving the functionality and layout for modern cruising. So the very first thing I wanted to do was lay a completely new teak deck.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394684/image/large-59c92dfa1c2c4dfaf499558c82520e13.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394684">The refit saw beautifully laid teak installed throughout, which instantly transformed her appearance and the feeling underfoot. From here, Andrews had a large swim platform and gangway at the stern installed for easy access, as well as an alfresco dining area for 12, with a large three-metre teak L-shaped sofa added and a circular seating area for eight at her stern.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394683/image/large-ccd9dbe381bbc98da19e89f67500eafb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394683">Additional work saw her saloon and guest staterooms reworked to create a larger and more comfortable interior, while technical works included the installation of a new <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4062" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raymarine UK Ltd (Company)">Raymarine</a> navigation suite, electric furling systems and the recommissioning of her <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1497" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Detroit Diesel (Company)">Detroit Diesel</a> engine and generators.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394537/image/large-a9744df0db0cb9126710320c8ad8f685.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394537">&nbsp;“I was involved in every stage of the project!” beamed Andrews. “Working alongside skilled craftsmen in Thailand allowed the ideas I had for the yacht to be executed properly.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394682/image/large-6c7c43f1ab3dc6151b36ef4b9e0c6d90.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394682">“The region has an impressive concentration of marine specialists including riggers, carpenters, sailmakers and marine engineers. The quality of teak craftsmanship in Thailand is also exceptional and the cost of skilled labour is significantly lower than in many other parts of the world. By chance I also discovered a local boat carpenter whose family had been building boats in the region for generations. His team worked tirelessly and played a crucial role in transforming the yacht.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394536/image/large-a684c5dbb17405c08f59b474c49fe63e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394536">A large portion of the refit work was carried out at Premier Superyacht Shipyard near <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yacht Haven Marina (Company)">Yacht Haven Marina</a> in Phuket. The yard operates an 890-tonne travel lift and regularly handles vessels significantly larger than <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a>, so during her haul-out, hull works, repainting, mechanical servicing and installation of the bow thruster were completed at the yard. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394535/image/large-fe228dc87c3eb4c006007450d0644190.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394535">The refit started almost immediately after Andrews had stepped onboard and he remained involved throughout the process. “After studying the layout of an <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster</a> 85, I realised it might be possible to alter the companionway arrangement and open access to unused space within the yacht. By cutting through the bulkhead at the end of the galley we created a new passageway that allowed an entirely new guest stateroom to be built.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394687/image/large-2e193db0a4b19958ca9e5ecb0fbbb3b1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394687">The result allowed for unused areas to be converted into additional guest accommodation, while maintaining the logical flow through her companionway and saloon areas. Thanks to this, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> is now able to comfortably accommodate up to 13 guests, while still feeling spacious. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394691/image/large-d359643ead180961dcf469e992df6a3a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394691">“The onboard experience is exceptional now! <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> is incredibly comfortable and she has become a wonderful place to spend time. I have several comfortable homes on land, but I genuinely did not expect living aboard a yacht to feel this enjoyable.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394775/image/large-19d12ff20ebf8798893858104887e523.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394775">From a technical standpoint the most important upgrade was the installation of a Max Power bow thruster. At 71 tonnes, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> is not a small yacht and the thruster significantly improved manoeuvrability for docking. Paired with electric furling systems, her sails can now be easily controlled from the cockpit, &nbsp;which means the yacht can be sailed comfortably by a small crew. “Together with the bow thruster and upgraded navigation systems, the yacht is now far easier and safer to operate,” added Andrews.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394782/image/large-7d015b051a954c975849eb73b943caa0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394782">Currently available for charter, Andrews noted that there had already been interest from charter clients in the Seychelles and the Maldives. “It would feel rather selfish to keep such a yacht entirely to myself! Our goal is to have her operating in the Greek islands by 2027.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394781/image/large-71d773016ba60ca5be3610663cfc2a04.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394781">The refit took approximately 18 months to complete, with the project bringing the yacht a new lease of life. “I have restored historic buildings and classic cars before, but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> has been the most rewarding project of them all! Working on her felt almost like giving a living vessel a new chapter in her life. I feel incredibly privileged to have been part of that transformation.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394773/image/large-89483fb30e91ef0842117ed871bea925.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394773">“<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> has had an extraordinary life with many different owners over the decades, with each leaving their own mark on the vessel,” concluded Andrews. “If I had to describe her in just a few words, I would say she is an iconic, unique superyacht and I hope she continues to bring joy to many future owners and guests.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394763/image/large-26cc3acdb14ea54697eb754a850e1393.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394763">

Firebird: 26m Palmer Johnson yacht refit

Inside the 18-month Thai refit that transformed the 26m Palmer Johnson sailing yacht Firebird into a modern cruising yacht.

Firebird reborn: Behind the Thai refit of a classic 26m yacht

Superyachts have become a floating home for many of its new-age owners, and it is precisely this that has motivated <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Custom Yachts</a>’ design for the Squalo 100. The brief for both the exterior and interior design was to create a yacht that feels right to live on, emotionally, physically and sensorially. From the layout to the engineering behind the walls was approached through the lens of human experience, rather than mere aesthetics. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395777/image/large-3128f701f247e9a823704b469af76762.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395777">Intimacy, comfort &amp; balanceFor <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Custom Yachts</a>, luxury is deeply connected to proportion, intimacy and comfort: “a yacht can feature the finest materials and highest quality finishes, but if the spaces feel too tight, disconnected or uncomfortable, the emotional experience aboard is lost” says Roberto Aboumrad, the founder and CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Yachts</a>.Hence, true onboard luxury is not measured by excess or scale alone, but by understanding the emotional relationship between people and space. If seating arrangements are too close together or too far apart, it can obstruct the way onboard guests interact with one another. “True comfort comes from finding that human balance of space.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395771/image/large-de41a280b3ab03c380c47ca7096655df.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395771">For Roberto, that comfort starts with the shape of the hull. Rather than pursuing narrow planning hulls, which are optimised for going fast, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha</a> decided on a semi-displacement hull. “These hulls are designed for liveability, efficiency and comfort. There is more interior volume, while simultaneously cruising at speeds it was designed to (i.e. 10-14 knots).”Cruising at the speed that the yacht was designed to do, also ensures high fuel efficiency and long range cruising, which sits in line with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/YachtModel/12554" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Squalo 10030.02m (98'6&quot;)">Alpha</a>’s approach towards sustainability. “There’s a misconception in today’s market that, by adding more electronics and gadgets, you automatically create a better boat,” yet often the opposite is true. “The more complicated you make a vessel, the more things you create that require maintenance.” <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Custom Yachts</a> instead focuses on “creating systems that are durable, intuitive and reliable for long-term ownership.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395758/image/large-1424f9925cdca3c1115877f949e5d9c4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395758">While keeping the number of gadgets to a minimum, technology does play a crucial role in any <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Custom Yacht</a>s vessel. “Technology is extremely important for us,” shares Roberto, “but for us technology means simplification.” Making elements more simple and functional makes for happy yacht owners. “It’s a mentality that extends directly into the crew’s workflow and maintainability. A happy crew creates a happy yacht.” With that same thought, the yard has placed enormous importance on crew accommodations and facilities: “the crew lives onboard year-round - it is important they are comfortable and happy.”&nbsp;Especially the galley is a space of pride for Roberto, “we have an incredibly large galley,” he continues, “the space has a centre island, industrial refrigerators, freezers and extraction hoods, a Hoshizaki ice maker capable of producing 90 kilos of crystal clear ice per day.” For <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Custom Yachts</a>, Roberto emphasises, “the galley is one of the most important areas onboard; it directly impacts everyday life.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395781/image/large-eca123327394f5b4dce944d6d68412a7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395781">Living the experienceA crucial element to designing a yacht for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Custom Yachts</a> is onboard experience: “when you’ve lived aboard boats for enough years, travelled enough and truly experienced living at sea, you begin to understand the human needs of onboard living” shares Roberto, “you can study design at a desk, but living it opens up a whole new understanding.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395757/image/large-c3608611ab7f6dd82cd72bba6d9c9e54.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395757">This philosophy is not just extended to the yacht’s interiors, but also to the engineering of the Squalo 100. One such place is the engine room, which, onboard all <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Custom Yachts</a>, are designed with accessibility and functionality as priorities - the goal is to make the engine room and its equipment accessible and simple.Roberto explains how “comfort is an overall sensory experience - space, silence, vibration, colours, atmosphere - to truly feel comfortable and happy, you need to feel all five senses.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395753/image/large-8a75feae7d000d25adda68409da4ead2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395753">One way in which the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha</a> team has done this is by structurally separating the hull and superstructure, which dramatically reduces vibrations and sound transfer throughout the vessel. “You don’t hear generators, vibrations, nor conversation in any of the other staterooms. There is total silence onboard.”Another one of the senses <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Custom Yachts</a> is especially considerate of is smell. “You can walk into a beautiful boat but if it’s humid or there are unpleasant odours, it ruins the experience.” The yard has noticed that many of the odour-related issues don’t actually originate from black or grey water tanks themselves, but from low-quality piping systems that begin to sweat over time. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395761/image/large-f1870b9a00c455b1e44bcca22a5b9127.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395761">To prevent this, the Squalo 100 has incorporated high quality piping systems alongside a positive-pressure make-up air system designed to continuously renew and purify the air onboard. “Approximately six times per hour, the entire interior air volume is renewed with fresh air.” The result is a refreshing onboard environment.The air-flow design onboard the yacht has also been thoroughly considered: “we maintain more pressure inside the salon than outside, so when the doors open, fresh air escapes outward and blocks hot air from entering” Roberto explains. For the galley, the same construction is used, but flipped, “the galley maintains a lower pressure than the guest areas so that not all the cooking smells will spill into the staterooms and saloon.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395762/image/large-48885ca43e88052e18731411f2ea3610.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395762">Living in spaceA central element in the design of the Squalo 100 and all other <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Custom Yachts</a> is the ceiling height. “For me ceiling height is a must,” Roberto shares how this decision was rooted in a very human observation: “When tall people walk onto yachts, they have to check how much space sits between the top of their head and the ceiling - which often isn’t very much.” Combined with the Squalo 100’s full-beam saloon and master cabin, the increased ceiling height dramatically transforms the perception of the interior volume. “It creates a totally different feeling onboard.”Besides a spacious layout, a refreshing airflow and minimal yet high-end technologies, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha Custom Yachts</a> offers additional personalisation for their yachts through elements like hull colours. “I had a client with a huge fascination for Porsche and he told me he wanted his hull the same colour of his Porsche Calipers brakes."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395763/image/large-5a734ebfefcf55bc0e5400e54e0d53fc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395763">“We have always been extremely flexible with customisation because we understand that every owner lives differently and expresses luxury differently.” This type of pursuit of individuality is the main reason that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha</a> has intentionally stayed a boutique shipyard. “We’ve done crazy things,” shares Roberto, “but if it doesn’t hurt the value or integrity of the yacht, we’re happy to make our client’s vision become a reality.”There’s a few elements that the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha</a> team won’t compromise on, like the crew accommodations and facilities. Roberto shares how “the crew lives onboard year-round. If the crew isn’t comfortable or happy, the boat won’t be a happy boat.” While owners or guests spend maybe just over a week onboard, crew lives onboard and ensuring they feel at home is of utmost importance.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395746/image/large-e1304f071c6fd249b2bf1a2b910fbc15.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395746">A symbol of powerThe Squalo 100 carries an air of power. Its name stems from the Italian word squalo, meaning ‘Shark’. “A shark is the most efficient creature in the ocean. It’s powerful, intelligent, efficient, and naturally dominant.” For the shipyard, the name perfectly reflects its in-house philosophy. “<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alpha Custom Yachts (Company)">Alpha</a> represents leadership, and the Squalo yacht represents efficiency, strength, personality and power.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395767/image/large-999c901798381e697b3243b4b14b578f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395767">

Inside the design of Alpha squalo 100

Alpha Custom Yachts' Squalo 100, designed for spacious living on the water.

Alpha Yachts’ Squalo 100: Redefining human-centred yacht design

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has upheld a lower court ruling that Eduard Khudainatov, the former owner of the 106.1-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a>, cannot claim ownership following her seizure in 2022, marking the last chance he had to appeal the decision.SuperYacht Times takes a look back at the full legal battle over the yacht’s ownership and the proceedings that led to the US Government’s forfeiture of the yacht.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393887/image/large-ad933bf5db70a1d40d13082c78016610.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393887">The seizure of AmadeaIn April 2022, U.S. authorities under the Biden administration, seized <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> in Fiji as part of their Task Force KleptoCapture, which aimed at intensifying sanction enforcements against Russian oligarchs linked to President Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;Prosecutors allege that sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov is the owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a>, while Eduard Khudainatov, the former chief of Russian state oil and gas company Rosneft, and his company Millemarin Investment claim that the yacht is under their ownership.&nbsp;Suleiman Kerimov was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department, in consultation with the Department of State in 2018 for his role as an official of the Russian Federation and a member of the Russian Federation Council. He was alleged to have moved hundreds of millions of euros into France, in addition to conducting standard fund transfers without disclosing the money to French tax authorities.The arrest of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> was announced on 14 April 2022, but the Task Force KleptoCapture did not get the official green light for her arrest until 4 May. During this period a plea had been made by Millemarin Investment on the registration of the US warrant to seize <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a>.&nbsp;The Fijian Court of Appeals dismissed the plea on 27 May, opening an avenue for the U.S. Department of Justice to actualise the arrest and transport her to U.S. territory. From there, the yacht was locked in a legal battle for several years regarding her true ownership. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393882/image/large-85002cf90fcbd0f9d3c4545d29a092c9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393882">The ownership structure behind AmadeaAccording to court documents, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in September 2021 showed that Millemarin Investments Ltd were committed to sell <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> for €225 million to a Cayman Islands entity that was created less than one week before the deal. Under the agreement, the buyer acquired the right to use the yacht and assumed responsibility for her operating costs following the initial €45 million payment.Lawyers representing Millemarin claim the Cayman Islands-based company is owned by Khudainatov and because he is not currently sanctioned by the U.S, his legal team therefore challenged the seizure and forfeiture of the yacht.However, U.S prosecutors argue that the sanctioned Russian billionaire Kerimov was behind the Cayman Islands entity and that he allegedly used a web of shell companies to hide his assets, including <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a>, and evade international sanctions.&nbsp;It was alleged that Khudainatov was serving as the "straw” or nominal owner to obscure Kerimov's involvement.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393883/image/large-99488250fa35ea39ce37fa28d4ff2747.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393883">The court battle In October 2023, U.S. Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture complaint for ownership of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> following her seizure and relocation to San Diego in 2022. The complaint was filed at the Manhattan federal court and marked the start of a lengthy judicial process for the US to seek ownership.The U.S. Department of Justice alleged in its complaint that Suleiman Kerimov bought <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> in 2021, and then violated U.S. sanctions by making more than $1 million in maintenance payments through U.S. financial institutions.Just four months later, the U.S. government filed a petition to auction <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> before the dispute over her ownership was resolved, stating that the yacht was currently costing the U.S government more than $7 million a year to maintain.A court filing by federal prosecutors in Manhattan told U.S. District Judge Dale Ho that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> currently had an “excessive” $600,000 monthly average maintenance bill, and urged the judge to consider an auction. They also alleged that talks to have Khudainatov pay for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a>'s upkeep had broken down.&nbsp;In January 2025, the evidentiary hearing began to determine the ownership of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a>. Rachael Doud, Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of New York stated that Kerimov’s niece allegedly paid €225 million to complete the sale of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> in 2021 on his behalf and to bypass sanctions which had been imposed on him since 2018.According to Doud, Kerimov and his family used the vessel and had plans to use it further, with Khudainatov acting as a straw owner. Khudainatov’s lawyer Adam Ford argued that there is no evidence of a completed sale and characterised the agreement with Kerimov as a loan rather than a purchase.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393875/image/large-a816cc99184d93f85c79dca79e3e1630.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393875">Ownership claims rejected and yacht sold at auctionOn 10 March 2025, U.S. District Judge Dale Ho issued an 80-page ruling that stated that while Khudainatov retained the "bare title" to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> after September 2021, the true beneficial owner was sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov.The decision marked a significant victory for the U.S. Department of Justice, prompting them to announce in August 2025 that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> would be offered for sale via a sealed-bid auction on 10 September 2025.The auction was administered by the National Maritime Services of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in accordance with a forfeiture order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case 1:23-cv-09304), with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser Yachts</a> appointed as promotional agent for the auction.In October 2025, a spokesperson for the United States Marshals Service confirmed that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> had been sold at auction, with her new owner and price not disclosed. However, Khudainatov and Millemarin Investments submitted an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, maintaining they were the beneficial owners of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393872/image/large-9aac7473aea0108815459490aee8c9cf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393872">Final ownership appeal rejectedIn a decision issued on 1 June 2026, the court and circuit Judges Parker, Lohier and Merriam affirmed Ho’s previous ruling, confirming that Eduard Khudainatov and Millemarin Investments Ltd were unable to demonstrate a sufficient beneficial interest in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a>.&nbsp;The court agreed with the District Court in the Southern District of New York, stating that Khudainatov acted as a "straw owner" and despite a sale agreement in 2021 that transferred control and economic responsibility for the yacht, he only appeared as the legal owner on paper, with the real economic ownership allegedly under the control of Kerimov.&nbsp;The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit confirmed that Khudainatov failed to demonstrate the type of beneficial interest required under US law to contest civil forfeiture proceedings.“With the standard of proof established, we review the District Court’s legal conclusions relating to standing de novo and its factual findings for clear error,” explained the court. “The District Court correctly concluded that the claimants’ legal title to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> did not itself establish standing to contest the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a>’s forfeiture. For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgments of the District Court.”As a result of this, the legal challenge over ownership has been brought to a close, with the Government’s forfeiture of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> remaining in place, and no other avenues available for the claimants to pursue ownership arguments in the United States courts.Delivered in 2017, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Espen Øino International</a>, while her interior was penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti Interior Design</a>, with naval architecture by her builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a>. With a gross tonnage of 4,402, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> can comfortably accommodate up to 16 guests across an eight stateroom configuration, alongside an impressive crew of 36.&nbsp;Amenities onboard include an infinity pool, a certified helipad, a private owner’s spa, a separate guest spa and two elevators. Powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines, the yacht has a top speed of 20 knots, a cruising speed of 13 knots and a range of 8,000 nautical miles.&nbsp;According to AIS, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6167" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amadea 106.1m (348'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2017">Amadea</a> is currently located in Monaco.

Amadea yacht ownership appeal rejected

The US Court of Appeals has upheld the court ruling that Eduard Khudainatov cannot claim ownership of the 106m Lürssen yacht Amadea.

US Court rejects final appeal from ex.owner of 106m yacht Amadea

As Venice Climate Week runs from 3 to 8 June, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> is calling for urgent investment in alternative fuel infrastructure across Europe. The company noted that the transition to next-generation sustainable yachts will depend on availability of energy infrastructure, rather than the speed of technological progress.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396223/image/large-103ef131c568767e63b19cb8b8a430ac.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396223">Executive Chairman Massimo Perotti presented the ‘Venice Call for Maritime Action’ at the event, an initiative formalised through an open letter addressed to Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, and copied to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.“Across our industries, the technologies required to enable more sustainable mobility, employment and enjoyment at sea are no longer theoretical,” he stated in the letter. “They are real, advancing rapidly, and increasingly ready to move beyond experimentation and into everyday use.” The initiative calls for coordinated investment in green methanol supply chains and electrification infrastructure across key maritime hubs.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> noted that while it has already invested in bi-fuel methanol propulsion as part of its 'Road to 2030' strategy, adoption remains constrained by limited infrastructure. This case is &nbsp;particularly apparent in the Mediterranean, where availability across marinas is still minimal.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396224/image/large-fa3744cfa8c57f5776899c890d02e793.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396224">Currently, less than one percent of global methanol production is renewable, with supply concentrated in industrial ports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges, leaving major yachting regions underserved.The ‘Venice Call for Maritime Action’ urges coordinated action among European institutions and policymakers, port authorities and coastal cities, energy producers and fuel suppliers, and industrial and technology partners to accelerate the transition. This includes including a six-month progress review to assess infrastructure development.The letter also pushes forward <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a>'s commitment to the following initiatives:&nbsp;<ul><li>Championing a future vision for more sustainable yachting</li><li>Continuing investment in innovation and technological progress</li><li>Supporting the development of viable and accessible energy ecosystems</li><li>Engaging in cross-sector collaboration to accelerate progress<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396226/image/large-dd7b8005406727dc9430ff3c953dbf09.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396226"></li></ul>The effort has already drawn support from across the maritime sector, including SYBAss, Professor Flavio Manenti of Politecnico di Milano, alongside representatives from marine technology, energy, and sustainability organisations.As one of the founding partners of Venice Climate Week, the company is using its Casa Sanlorenzo hub to convene industry dialogue under the ‘Planet Aqua, Planet Peace’ programme. The initiative brings together city leaders, scientists and industry stakeholders to address coastal resilience and maritime transition.Moreover, the group continues to advance its Road to '2030 strategy'. This includes the 50Steel Almax, the first superyacht to feature a methanol fuel cell system, and Bluegame’s hydrogen-powered BGH-HSV support vessel, developed for zero-emission operations during the America’s Cup."By aligning investment, infrastructure and policy, it is possible to unlock the next phase of sustainable &nbsp;maritime mobility and support the wider integration of alternative propulsion technologies across &nbsp;Europe,” Perotti concluded.

Sanlorenzo Venice Climate Week

Sanlorenzo is calling for urgent investment in alternative fuel infrastructure across Europe at the Venice Climate Week 2026.

Build Reports

First 27m Princess X90 motor yacht on schedule for summer 2026 launch