Germany, with its commercial and naval ship expertise, has proven its ability to produce large super yachts. Of the 25 largest in the world, German yards have built 17 of them – all over 100 metres length overall.
Many of the super yachts cruising around the Cote d’Azur this summer recently emerged from German yards – known for their[ds_preview] efficiency and reliability, as well as client discretion. Builders and designers are often restricted by confidentiality agreements, however nobody can stop yacht paparazzi shooting away as they sneak into Nice to refuel or anchor off Monaco or St Tropez for a bit of relaxation. Some of the more significant large super yachts come from Germany’s main builders: Blohm + Voss, Lürssen, Nobiskrug and Abeking & Rasmussen.
Blohm + Voss (B+V) is getting plenty of publicity recently thanks to the 162.5 m »Eclipse« (2010) by Terence Disdale, the 96 m »Palladium« (2010) by Michael Leach Design, and the 119 m »A« (2008) by Philippe Starck – all award winners. Older vessels such as the 105 m »Lady Moura« (1990) and 74 m »Enigma«, ex »Eco« (1991) are still looking »as-new« and testament to their longevity. When »Eco« was launched, she sported a gas turbine and a sea plane, revolutionary in their day but since replaced. Her trademark cylindrical windows, with reflective panes manufactured in Germany, look as if they were built only yesterday.
Projects unveiled over the last year include a 111 m vintage style motor yacht, probably conceived, while B+V were busy working on the rebuild of »Nahlin«, the world’s largest refit project. This is just one proposal that has yet to stimulate an owner. One more eye-catching super yacht, to be released at the Monaco Yacht Show, is a new 88 m collaboration with Michael Leach
Design, first sketches of which look organic, like the award-winning »Palladium«.
Rumours of a larger vessel about to get the go-ahead are not confirmed by Sales Director Cristian Schwarzwalder – but that is the way it is these days with strict confidentiality agreements in contracts at all stages. The designers are equally tight-lipped. Abu Dhabi MAR and Blohm + Voss were going to enter a strategic partnership but that was recently abandoned, B+V still being part of ThyssenKrupp.
Lürssen claim that »no other shipbuilder creates more large yachts« than they do. The 155 m »Al Said« (2008), 139 m »Al Salamah« (1999), 138 m »Rising Sun« (2005) and 126 m »Octopus« (2003) are their largest to-date. Strict confidentiality about owners is again maintained when asked for news, however yacht-spotters have captured rare footage of their new builds.
The eight delivered, from their four facilities, in 2010 and 2011 range from 60 metres to 124 metres. Espen Oeino has done so many boats with Lürssen he is sometimes confused as their in-house designer. The eight include (in 2010) the 110 m »Radiant« by Tim Heywood and Yabu Pushelberg, 124 m »Katara« by Oeino and Alberto Pinto, 60 m »Solemates« by Oeino and Glade Johnson, 85 m »Pacific« by German Frers with interior by Bannenberg + Rowell and the 90 m »Phoenix 2« by Andrew Winch.
In 2011, the 68 m »Hermitage« by Oeino and Winch, 60 m »Lady Kathryn V« by Oeino and Adam Lay and 85 m »Valerie« by Oeino and Reymond Langton Design, complete the straight eight. Marketing Manager Sylke auf dem Graben will give nothing away about new projects other than to say all their facilities and 1,550 workforce are busy. Photos of the 147 m »Topaz« (due 2012) have nevertheless been published as she was floated next to Lürssen’s yard to a shed for fitting out. A buyer from the Middle East is also said to be ordering a hundred-and-sixty-something metre.
Nobiskrug’s 93 m »Tatoosh« (2000) by Studio Acht and Disdale, 73 m »Siren« (2008) by Newcruise, 68 m »Triple Seven« (2006) by Newcruise, 68 m »Sycara V« (2010) by Craig Beale and 60 m »Jamaica Bay« (2010) by Felix Buytendijk and most recently 73 m »Sapphire« (2011) also by Newcruise mark her as a yard with capability. With 100 years of expertise in naval and commercial vessels and 700 new ships delivered, they certainly have experience. Part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems from 2005 and then sold to Abu Dhabi MAR in 2009, Nobiskrug has two Reymond Langton Design 74 m sister ships with imminent 2011/2012 launch dates, »Mogambo« and »Graffiti«. An explorer project and a Messerschmitt Yachts MTT-Conqueror 90 m are on the drawing board awaiting clients.
Abeking & Rasmussen (A&R) also has built a string of Reymond Langton Design super yachts, the 78 m »Eminence« (2008) and 68 m »Aviva« (2007). The pair of 60-metres,«Kaiser« and »Elandess«, (2009) by Donald Starkey and Bannenberg + Rowell plus A&R’s 40 m SWATH expedition yacht »Silver Cloud« (2008) have led to new orders.
Abeking & Rasmussen has a 60 m Reymond Langton Design in build – the third A&R for the same client – as well as two 78 m and an 81 m, with launch dates into 2014. A&R is the biggest supplier of SWATH hulls. Other projects are confidential.
Whilst not the biggest country in sheer quantity or total length overall of all motor super yachts built (a super yacht is classified as being over 40 m LOA), Germany does rank at the top when it comes to the total displacement of yachts above a certain size. With the expertise of the management and the workforce, the infrastructure of sub-contractors and specialists – from engine manufacturers to glazing companies – that is likely to remain so, even in today’s changing markets.
Nick Jeffery
