2023 has been a huge year once again for large superyacht launches! From Lürssen to Feadship, SuperYacht Times takes a look at some of the largest yachts that hit the water for the first time this year.
The largest yacht to hit the water this year was the 145-metre Lürssen superyacht Luminance. The top-secret project is the eighth largest yacht to be built by Lürssen and ranks as the 15th largest in the world. She was launched in February 2023 and features exterior design by Espen Øino International, with interior design from Zuretti Interior Design, and naval architecture crafted by her German-based builder Lürssen Yachts.
The approximately +140-metre Lürssen superyacht Alibaba was launched at the Lürssen Bremen Lemwerder facility in Germany in December. Details surrounding Alibaba have been kept tightly under wraps since construction begun in 2019. She features Lürssen’s signature elongated bow with angular contours and bold exterior elements to provide a powerful character to the vessel. She boasts four expansive decks, blending sophistication with an aggressive military edge.
Previously known as Jag, Kismet was launched in August from the Schacht-Audorf facility in Germany. Kismet features exterior design from the boards of Nuvolari Lenard, while her interiors have been penned by British design studio, Reymond Langton. The revolutionary yacht was sold to an American client, and will accommodate as many as 20 guests across 11 staterooms. Constructed from steel and aluminium, guests onboard Kismet will be taken care of by a crew of up to 40.
The 111.85-metre Freire superyacht Renaissance, also known as hull NB724, is the largest superyacht, by length, to have been built by the shipyard and is currently Spain's largest ever yacht. With an interior volume of 7,200 GT, Renaissance features interior and exterior design from London-based design studio Bannenberg & Rowell Design. Marin Teknikk AS managed the yacht's naval architecture, and it is the first time the Norway-based firm has collaborated with Bannenberg & Rowell Design.
Feadship launched the 102.6-metre Project 1011 superyacht Ulysses at the De Vries Makkum facility in the Netherlands in October. Ulysses features a sheer bow and minimalist lines, with exterior design by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design and naval architecture from the boards of Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture. This is the tenth collaboration between Feadship and Sinot.
The 90-metre Lürssen Project 1601 superyacht Norn was launched from the Lürssen Rendsburg shipyard in Germany in February. Norn features exterior design by renowned design house Espen Øino International, while her naval architecture is the work of her builder Lürssen. Key features onboard include zero speed stabilisers, an outside cinema and a liftable pool floor with dance floor illumination.
Launched in April, the 84.2-metre Feadship 710 yacht Obsidian features exterior design, interior architecture and design by RWD in collaboration with Monk Design and naval architecture from De Voogt Naval Architects. Obsidian is the first of Feadship’s new generation of large yachts aimed at further reducing carbon emissions, with the ability to run her generators on the non-fossil diesel fuel, HVO.
Project Cali was launched from the Rendsburg facility in Germany in October. Also known as Hull 13775, details surrounding Cali have been kept tightly under wraps since construction began in 2020. Cali features a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, she was designed in-house at Lürssen Yachts by Lead Exterior Designer Jim Robert Sluijter, while her interior derived from the drawing boards of RWD.
Golden Yachts launched the 77.7-metre superyacht Malia in May 2023. Previously known as O’Rea, Malia is characterised by a streamlined hull, elongated windows, and a near-vertical bow. She features exterior design by Studio Vafiadis, and her interior is a collaborative effort between Studio Vafiadis and Italian studio Massari Design. 
The 75.7-metre Feadship 822 superyacht Alvia was launched in August at the Royal Van Lent Kaag facility in the Netherlands. Also known as Project Hanami, she features exterior and interior design by RWD, with Susan Young collaborating on her interiors and naval architecture from De Voogt Naval Architects. Alvia was sold by Burgess in 2019 and boasts a sleek silhouette, with bold lines stretching from her bow to her stern.
The 75-metre Turquoise Yachts superyacht Infinite Jest, also known as NB 69, was launched in March. She features exterior design by Studio Vallicelli Design, while Dutch studio Sinot Yacht Architecture & Designpenned her interiors. She boasts a large beach club which opens both to aft and on the sides, with shell doors opening into terraces.
Launched on the same day as the Amels 200 superyacht Marsa, the eighth Amels 242 semi-custom superyacht features exterior design by legendary designer Tim Heywood. Winch Design were responsible for curating her interior, opting for an impressive main entranceway with a wall of semi-precious agate blue stones. Other standout features onboard the Amels 242 superyacht include a dedicated owner’s deck with a Jacuzzi, a large aft swimming pool and a lower deck wellness space. She can sleep up to 12 guests across six staterooms, with a plethora of unique dining and entertaining areas onboard.
The fully-custom steel and aluminium CRN 139 motor yacht Njoy was launched in March from the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona, Italy. Njoy features exterior design by Studio Vallicelli Design, with interior design handled by Nuvolari Lenard, and naval architecture by her builder CRN. Njoyspans six decks with accommodation for 12 guests and 19 crew.
The 67-metre superyacht Project Sparta was launched in June by Heesen Yachts. Also known as YN 20067, she is the largest steel motor yacht to be launched by Heesen Yachts to date. Sparta was developed from the Project Avanti concept which was presented with Winch Design at the Monaco Yacht Show 2018. She can comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests across five staterooms and boasts two separate owner’s suites on a private deck and four guest suites on the main deck.
Sibelle was launched in March 2023 from the Royal Van Lent facility in Kaag, the Netherlands. The Feadship 823 yacht is constructed with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure and features interior and exterior design by De Voogt Naval Architects, with naval architecture by Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture. She is characterised by clean, traditional exterior profile lines and a straight bow with an oversized foredeck.
Launched in May, Kasper 7 features exterior design by Cassetta Yacht Designers, while her interior was penned by Askdeco. Also known as Project FB285NK, Kasper 7 features a six stateroom configuration for up to 14 guests, alongside a crew of 19 across 11 cabins. The the owner worked closely with the designers and the shipyard from the inception of the design phase to craft a yacht that is both elegant and ingenious, with practical solutions tailored to life on the water.
The 67-metre Benetti FB284 superyacht was launched in October from the Benetti Livorno shipyard in Italy. The Benetti FB284 began construction in 2021 and showcases a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with sleek exterior styling by Cassetta Yacht Designers. Her bridge deck features multiple outdoor lounge areas, perfect for alfresco dining. This deck is connected to the 90-square-metre sun deck, with a well-positioned Jacuzzi.
The Rossinavi motor yacht, also known as Hull FR044 is based on the Vitruvius Lifestyle yacht design and was developed and completed entirely over Zoom in December 2019. Alchemy was launched in March 2023 and was designed by Philippe Briand – Vitruvius Yacht with interior design and outdoor styling by Team for Design - Enrico Gobbi. 
The 65-metre Feadship 711 superyacht was launched in October 2023. Few details are known about the Feadship 711 yacht, but she was built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure and is estimated to have around 1,300 GT of interior volume onboard.