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AZZAM Yacht – The World’s Biggest Superyacht is 180m Long

AZZAM yacht is the largest superyacht in the world, with an impressive length of 179.7 metres (590 ft), making her more than 15 metres longer than FULK AL SALAMAH, which is in second place on the list.

AZZAM yacht interior

The interior design of the AZZAM yacht is attributed to the French designer Christophe Leoni who is surprisingly not incredibly experienced in designing superyachts.

While exact details on the interior layout of the massive yacht have not been released to the public, it is known that Sheikh Khalifa requested a lot of wood furniture as well as intricate mother-of-pearl elements to be incorporated into all parts of the yacht.

More than a year’s worth of production of pearls was used in the interior design of AZZAM.

The interior has been described as being inspired by the Empire style reminiscent of the 19th century and incorporates numerous valuable artworks which are on display onboard AZZAM.

She can welcome an estimated 36 guests and over 80 crew members, which is one of the highest numbers in her size category.

The AZZAM yacht reportedly has 18 guest cabins with a massive owner’s suite that spans across several rooms.

According to rumors, the suite was constructed to be bulletproof, and there is a designated missile defense system installed onboard the AZZAM yacht although it is unclear whether this is accurate.

One of her most notable features is her custom-designed golf room which allows guests to practice their swings without even having to step foot outside.

She also has a large gym, a spa, several pools, jacuzzis, and a beauty salon on board.

Her main saloon is supposed to be one of a kind and one of the largest ever constructed on a private yacht. At 29 meters (95 ft) by 18 meters (59 ft), it is larger than a tennis court and offers unobstructed views of the outside due to its floor-to-ceiling windows.

There are no pillars to support the saloon, which gives it an open feel but requires additional ceiling beams and 7-centimeter thick custom-made windows.

A large and fast yacht-like AZZAM is bound to generate a lot of noise when underway.

To ensure a comfortable experience for guests onboard, engineers installed special software which keeps vibrations and engine sounds to a minimum.

This means that the large chandelier in the main saloon doesn’t rattle even when the yacht is underway.

Specifications

The AZZAM yacht might be the longest yacht in the world, but she is technically not the largest. DILBAR actually has a higher displacement and weight even though she is more than 23 meters (75 ft) shorter than AZZAM.

This impressive yacht was built by Luerssen in Bremen, Germany, and officially launched in November of 2013.

In March 2014, she briefly returned to Germany for some additional work. She has a 20.8-meter (68.3 ft) beam, a 4.5-meter (14.9 ft) draft, and a total weight of 13,136 tons.

AZZAM is powered by twin gas turbine engines and two additional diesel MTU engines and can carry more than 1 million liters of fuel onboard.

Despite her size, she can reach impressive top speeds of 30 knots which can be attributed to her relatively low draft, although her average cruising speed only lies at 12 knots.

The yacht has several cruising modes, including a sprint setting as well as a long-distance mode.

The exterior of the AZZAM yacht was developed by Nauta Yachts, which specializes in combining practical functions design with aesthetics and sleek yacht design. AZZAM is their largest and probably most well-known project. 

The AZZAM yacht took more than four years, and 4,000 people collectively worked for 6 million hours to complete it.

The exterior is all-white with a streamlined design that is meant to make AZZAM appear smaller than she actually is when seen from further away.

On the bow, a large helipad is available for guests to arrive and depart in style and the yacht carries at least one helicopter at all times.

The aft is reserved for a spacious swimming platform, although AZZAM does not have a beach club in this location like many other vessels of her size category.

As is to be expected for such a high-profile superyacht, AZZAM does not have a lot of open-air deck space and is designed to protect the privacy of its owners.

There are no visible pools or much seating, which suggests that the spacious interior of AZZAM is reserved for entertainment and common spaces.

Total price of US $600 million for the luxury AZZAM yacht.

Her annual running costs of US $50 to 75 million are not surprising, considering she is the largest private yacht in the world.

Azzam Yacht Docking in Gibraltar

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The Ultimate Guide to Azzam Yacht: Specs, Design, and More

The Azzam was launched in 2013. She quickly became world famous for her incredible design and unheard of size. Even years later the Azzam remains the biggest yacht in the world. The designer has surpassed calling it a superyacht or even a mega yacht and has settled on the term gigayacht. 

Who is the Azzam Yacht Owner?

Azzam was owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He was the second president of the United Arab Emirates until his death in 2022. He had a family fortune of $150 billion and was one of the richest people in the world. His assets were estimated by Forbes to be in the range of $830 billion which is almost unbelievable. 

Since his death it is unclear who the current owner of Azzam might be since he had eight children and a wife. The yacht may still be in the family or they may have sold it. 

How Much Did Yacht Azzam Cost?

It’s believed that the yacht came with an initial price tag, back in 2013, of $605 million. Though obviously reflecting the size of the yacht, the price is also believed to be elevated due to how it was built. After the initial design, the yacht was built in just three years which is an exceptionally short building time for a project of this size. Rumor has it that 4,000 people worked on the speed build and so some of that money went into ensuring it was built not just to standard but quickly as well. 

For a truly mind-blowing bit of trivia, someone took the time to determine the number of man hours that went into the building and did the math on how long it would have took one person by themselves to build the yacht. For it to have been delivered to the owner at the same time in 2013, the builder would have had to start making the yacht back in the year 1737 BC. That’s 3,750 years.

Can You Charter the Azzam

Interestingly enough you can probably find charter listings for the Azzam on the internet. If you can, you’ll also see that there are no available dates. The Azzam seems to have been listed as a charter yacht as something of a trick to avoid certain taxes. In Europe, charter yachts are exempt from a number of taxes so as long as it’s listed as a charter it’s cheaper to operate, even if no one is ever really allowed to charter it. 

How Big is the Azzam Yacht?

Azzam holds the title of the longest yacht in the world as of 2023, a title it has held since it was launched back in 2013. In fact, it was only surpassed in length in 2019 by a research and exploration vessel called REV Ocean which straddles the line between a yacht and something else and isn’t, strictly speaking, classified as a private yacht. 

Azzam clocks in at 180 meters in length which works out to an astounding 590 feet. The displacement is 13,136 gross tons. The beam is 68 feet but it only has a 14 feet draft. For a yacht its size, the Azzam was able to navigate some relatively shallow waters. 

How Fast is Azzam and What Engines Does it Use

The Azzam superyacht has a top speed listed at an impressive 32 knots, something you might not expect from such a large vessel. It’s powered by 2 Diesel 17,524 kW (23,500 hp) engines and 2 Gas Turbine engines with an output of 17,524 kW (23,500 hp).That’s a total of about 47,000 horsepower that was forced out through two Wartsila axial flow Modular waterjets and two boosters. It’s designed to easily travel warm and shallow waters

One source says it’s actually pulling 97,000 hp and that, at top speed, she can burn through 13 tonnes of fuel per hour. In any event, she’s able to cross an entire ocean without worrying about needing to refuel.

Inside the Azzam: Design and Features

Azzam was built by German shipyard Lurssen, builders of many of the world’s biggest superyachts. The bold and elegant exterior design is courtesy of Nauta Yachts while the interior, described as an innovative and timeless design, was handled by Christopher Leoni. It’s said he focused on luxurious décor inspired by the Empire style.

There’s a 95 footlong main salon in the yacht that has a totally open design and no pillars. This room also features a chandelier that was designed such that, even at full speed, it won’t rattle. The furniture on board features marquetry in mother of pearl. Word is it used an entire year’s production worth of it. 

There is room for 36 guests on board plus an owner’s suite. A crew of 60 maintain the yacht while it’s underway.

You have to assume a yacht of this size has a lot going for it. The sheer size of the Azzam ensured it had room for a lot of features, including stuff you’d not see on many yachts. Some of the known features of the Azzam include:

• An on-board submarine
• An on-board golf training room
• Fully equipped gym
• A large tender garage
• Swimming pool
• An entire missile defense system that can be deployed if the yacht is attacked
• An entirely bulletproof master suite

These are just a few of the known features. As you can imagine, a motor yacht with a bulletproof master suite and a missile defense system is one that was also built with privacy and security in mind. As such there are only limited details about what is available inside and very few photos of it as well. 

The Bottom Line

The mega yacht known as Azzam was owned by the president of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan until his death in 2022. It is currently unknown who has possession of the vessel. Despite being built in 2013, the yacht remains the longest yacht in the world at an astounding 590 feet.

It was never built to be the largest on purpose and, in fact, designers had to add considerable length in the production process to make sure everything fit and functioned properly which boosted it to the size it is now. 

At a price of over $600 million, it’s also one of the most expensive yachts ever build. The details of the interior are limited but it’s known to have remarkable defensive capabilities including a missile defense system.

One of the most remarkable features of the interior layout is a 95 foot long lounge area that has no support pillars as part of a visionary modern design. The beams in the ceiling are a meter thick as a result and the large, glass windows/walls were built to handle extreme stress with 7 cm thick glass.

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AZZAM yacht NOT for charter*

180.65m  /  592'8 | lurssen | 2013.

Owner & Guests

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Guest elevator
• Premium wellness facilities, including spa and beauty salon
• Eighteen cabins
• Germanischer Lloyd ✠ 100 A5 Motor yacht ERS, ✠ MC AUT classification
• Sleeps 36 overnight

The 180.65m/592'8" motor yacht 'Azzam' was built by Lurssen in Germany at their Bremen shipyard. Her interior is styled by design house Christophe Leoni and she was delivered to her owner in November 2013. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Nauta Yachts.

Guest Accommodation

Azzam has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 36 guests in 18 suites. Additionally, there are 30 staff cabins aboard. She is also capable of carrying up to 20 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Her features include a beauty salon, spa, elevator, gym and air conditioning.

Range & Performance

Azzam is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by twin gas turbine General Electric (LM2500 +G4) 40,200hp engines, she comfortably cruises at 12 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 34 knots. Azzam features at-anchor stabilizers providing exceptional comfort levels. Her water tanks store around 100,000 Litres of fresh water. She was built to Germanischer Lloyd ✠ 100 A5 Motor yacht ERS, ✠ MC AUT classification society rules.

*Charter Azzam Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Azzam is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Azzam Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Azzam Photos

Azzam Awards & Nominations

• Asia Boating Award 2014 Best Worldwide Custom Built Yacht Finalist

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

M/Y Azzam

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The world's largest private yacht cost $600 million to build and has held the record for more than 5 years — but it might soon be dethroned

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• The largest motor yacht in the world is a staggering 590 feet long and cost $600 million to build.
• At its launch in 2013, the Azzam beat out Eclipse, the  superyacht that previously held the title of world's largest, by a full 57 feet.
• Azzam still holds its record more than five years later — but that might be about to change.

At 590 feet long, the Azzam is known to be the largest superyacht in the world.

Although there is no strict definition, a superyacht is generally understood to be a yacht that is at least 78 feet long , according to Warsash Superyacht Academy.

When it was launched in 2013, the yacht broke the record previously held by the Eclipse, a 533-foot yacht owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

"[The Azzam] truly represents another milestone in not only our history, but yachting history as well," Lürssen Yachts managing partner, Peter Lürssen, said in a press release when the Azzam was launched .

Here's a look at the massive yacht.

The 590-foot yacht was finished in April 2013 and belongs to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates.

Source: CNBC

It dethroned Eclipse, the 533-foot superyacht owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, which previously held the record for largest yacht in the world.

Source: Business Insider

The Azzam cost an estimated $600 million to build and was constructed over the course of four years.

It was built by Lürssen Yachts with exterior design by Nauta Yachts and interior design by French designer Christophe Leoni.

Source: Lürssen Yachts

A representative for Lürssen Yachts said the boat was "without a doubt the most challenging yacht that has ever been built."

Source: International Business Times

The Azzam can move quickly for its size. With its 94,000 horsepower, the boat has hit a speed of 31.5 knots, or about 37 miles per hour, which is believed to the fastest speed for a yacht longer than 300 feet.

Although no interior photos have been made available, the boat is rumored to have a 6,000-square-foot lounge, up to 50 suites, and a 95-foot salon.

But the Azzam might not hold its record for much longer. In 2017, a Norwegian billionaire ordered the construction of a high-tech yacht called the REV that is supposed to be 597 feet long, which would be longer than the Azzam by seven feet.

Source: Business Insider Nordic

REV Ocean announced in August 2018 that REV had just gotten its four main generators installed, which will power the main propulsion motors. It's expected to be finished in 2020.

Source: REV Ocean

Liz O'Connor contributed to an earlier version of this article. 

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The world´s longest yacht, at 180.65 meters, with a top speed of over 30 knots, Azzam is a truly extraordinary luxury gigayacht. Her outstanding characteristics even include her exceptionally short building time of less than three years from keel laying to delivery, in 2013. Engineer and principal designer Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi set out to build a large yacht with an innovative and timeless design that would be able to travel at high speed in warm and shallow waters. The bold and elegant exterior by Nauta Yachts incorporates many elements of visionary modern design. Renowned French designer Christophe Leoni conceived a sophisticated interior with luxurious décor inspired by the Empire style of the early 19th century.

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Azzam Superyacht

Azzam Superyacht, delivered in October 2013, replaced the Eclipse Superyacht as the largest superyacht in the world.

Constructor

Fr. Lurssen Werft

Exterior Designer

Nauta Design

Interior Designer

Christophe Leoni

Length of Azzam

October 2013

Two diesel engines rated at 23,000HP

Azzam was launched at Lurssen Shipyard in Bremen, Germany, in April 2013. Upon delivery to its owner in October 2013, the yacht created a significant landmark in yacht building, involving less than three years of construction and one year of engineering activities.

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The owner of the yacht is Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The yacht’s construction cost more than $600m. The name of the yacht, Azzam, means determination in Arabic.

The exterior design of the yacht was provided by Nauta Design, while interior design was by Christophe Leoni. Fr. Lurssen Werft was responsible for the engineering and construction of the Azzam superyacht. Technical engineering activities were carried out under the leadership of Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi.

Development of the world’s largest superyacht

The yacht was transferred from her original dock at Lurssen Shipyard, measuring 170m, to a larger dock, measuring 220m, in May 2012. Steel cutting for the yacht was held in late 2009.

The yacht successfully completed sea trials in June 2013, prior to its commissioning.

Dimensions of the superyacht

The Azzam measures 180m long, and has a beam of 20.8m and a maximum draft of 4.3m. The hull of the world’s larget yacht is made of steel.

The yacht is larger than the Eclipse by 17.2m. The Eclipse, which was commissioned in 2010, is owned by billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Azzam superyacht has a gross tonnage capacity of approximately 14,000t and features a fuel tank with a capacity of one million litres.

Its main salon measures 29m in length, with its beam measuring 18m. The salon on-board the yacht has an open space featuring no support pillars. The yacht features approximately 50 suites with no large open spaces on the deck, with the interior design of the vessel incorporating the Empire Style.

Azzam superyacht layout and facilities

The interior design of the yacht is highly confidential, but initial photo releases suggest that it features six decks. The rear view of the vessel also suggests that it is powered by jets.

The yacht is capable of providing accommodation facilities for at least 50 professional crew members. Similar to other yachts constructed by Lurssen, Azzam is environment-friendly with decreased carbon dioxide, noise and soot emissions, as well as enhanced fuel-efficiency.

Azzam is also believed to include facilities to use waste heat from the engine to operate the yacht’s desalination system for drinking water. Lurssen has been lauded for being the first yacht-builder to implement this system.

Engine details

The yacht features two gas turbines and two diesel engines with a rated power output of 23,500hp. The yacht can sail at a maximum speed of 30k.

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What To Know About The Azzam - The Largest Superyacht In The World

The Azzam is said to be the largest superyacht in the world and she is a floating palace.

Quick Links

The azzam: the largest superyacht in the world, the azzam's many features, mystery of ownership and buying a superyacht.

Ever wanted to have one's very own superyacht? While the vast majority of people will never be able to afford a superyacht, a few may be able to rent one for very special occasions. Groups can charter superyachts for a few hundred thousand dollars for a week. But how big can they get? The largest private motorized yacht in the world is thought to be the massive Azzam yacht - she is as big as this opulent part of the market gets.

It is many people's dream to travel around the world by superyacht . But while that may be the exclusive domain of the super-rich, it is still possible for many people to travel around the world by cruise ship or by sailing around the world. There is something magical about the freedom of being on a ship on the high seas or exploring the stunning islands of the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

The largest superyacht in this world is really big. The Azzam is a whopping 180 meters or 590 feet long with a beam of 20.8 meters or 68 feet. To put that in perspective, no one agrees on how big a yacht needs to be until it's considered a superyacht, but it's generally about 40 meters or 130 feet in length.

• Length: 180 Meters or 590 Feet
• Beam: 20.8 Meters or 68 Feet
• Longest: Private Motor Yacht In The World
• Built: In 2013 By German Shipyard Lürssen Yachts
• Name: Means Resolute In English

She was delivered by Lürssen Yachts in Bremen in Germany in 2013. It is also known she was refitted in 2021.

The Azzam has a shallow draft and the ability to travel at high speed in shallow waters. She has a top speed of over 32 knots (37 mph) and carries 1 million liters of fuel. Her range is not known, but it is likely thousands of nautical miles.

It is believed to have cost over $600 million - around $100 million more than the famous superyacht - the Eclipse.

• Cost: Over $600 Million
• Tonnage: 13,136 Gross Tons
• Number of Decks: 5 Decks
• Cabins: 18 Guest Cabins

One thing is for sure, she is large enough for any sized party one would like to have.

Related: Everything You Need To Know Before Sailing From Greece To Croatia

Just as the Azzam is exceptional on the outside, so too is it on the inside. Its main salon has a length of 29 meters or 95 feet with an open plan and no pillars.

Her exteriors were designed by Nauta Yachts S.r.l. and her interiors by Creation Line Decoration.

While many superyachts only have accommodation for up to 12 guests (besides crew), the Azzam has accommodation for up to 36 guests - besides her 60 crew members.

Accommodation:

• Guests: 36 Guests
• Crew: 60 Crew Members

Undoubtedly she will have all the comforts and features of other superyachts. In general, superyachts come with a gym, swimming pool, theater, disco, ballroom, massage room, treatment rooms, sauna, a helicopter landing pad, and other features. They also normally have a full range of water toys including jet skis, scuba diving gear, tenders, kayaks, wakeboards, waterskis, and more.

Related: 25 Things We'd Rather Not Know About Taking A Cruise In The Bermuda Triangle

The owner of the Azzam is a bit of a mystery and a little complicated (as it often is in the superyacht world). Her ower is shown in SYT iQ but that information is exclusively available to subscribers. But it seems she was sold in 2009 - according to Superyachttimes.com she was one of the 295 yachts sold in that year.

• Sold: She Was Sold In 2009

If one would like to buy her, as of the time of writing (June 2022) she is not for sale. However, there are over 2000 other yachts for sale around the world with some costing as much as $180 million. There are also older and smaller yachts for "only" the low millions of dollars.

Anyone with enough money can buy a superyacht - although buying the yacht is only the first expense. The next is paying for the enormous upkeep costs.

Go to renowned ports in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean and one will see plenty of the world's superyachts in the ports - especially in the microstate of Monaco.

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Azzam: World's largest superyacht sails into the record books

The superyacht azzam is the biggest vessel of its kind. the owner is still a mystery, but the name, which is arabic for 'determined', suggests it will be heading for the middle east..

Azzam, the world’s largest superyacht, during its construction at the Lurssen Yachts yard in Bremen, Germany. Photos by Claus Schafe / TheYachtPhoto.com

The residents of Bremen, north Germany, are used to seeing some incredible sights emerging from the gigantic yellow Lürssen Yachts dry dock on the bank of the Weser river. But no one had seen anything quite like the massive vessel that was slowly tugged out into public view for the first time on the overcast morning of April 5.

This was Azzam, not only the latest superyacht to grace the water but at 180 metres long also the largest, leaving the previous title-holder - Roman Abramovich's 162.5m Eclipse - trailing in its wake.

It was not the first glimpse of the new queen of the oceans. In May last year, speculation about the latest Lürssen project flared when, minus her bow section, she was moved quietly to the covered dock from her construction shed - for the simple reason that, at 170m long, the shed was too short to accommodate the full length of what would soon be the world's largest superyacht.

Speculation about the identity of Azzam's owner has been rife for much of the three years it has taken to build her. Initially, it was assumed that she had been ordered by a member of the Saudi royal family - the name of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the richest people in the world and a known super-yacht enthusiast, was suggested.

Other rumours have placed the home port of Azzam - which is Arabic for "determined" and also the name chosen for Team Abu Dhabi's entry in the Volvo Ocean Race - in the Arabian Gulf.

This month's launch, conveniently in time for the 2013 Mediterranean superyachting season that begins at the end of May with the Monaco Grand Prix , has caused waves in an industry not easily impressed.

Quite apart from her world-beating size, the yacht was built in a record three years. Powered by four engines - two diesel and two gas turbines pushing out 94,000 horsepower - she is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 30 knots (55kph), more usually associated with fast military-patrol vessels.

This means that if the owner desires, Azzam could cover the 4,000 nautical miles from the Mediterranean to Martinique, for the start of the Caribbean season in November, in a little more than five days.

Not that most owners would make such a voyage, instead choosing instead to fly to meet their yacht when it relocates to a distant destination.

In fact, most owners of the very largest yachts do not spend a huge amount of time on them, says Don Hoyt Gorman, the business editor of TheSuperyacht Report.

"They tend to be very busy individuals who are running a series of corporations," he says.

But when they and their often extensive families are on board "they are really away from the public eye, which is one of the main reasons owners of large yachts want them. And they are also obviously fantastic as well for entertaining clients and business partners".

Size, he says, is not merely a product of billionaire one-upmanship, but there is no doubt that super-yachts, like tall buildings, are growing larger. In the 1980s, a 25m yacht would have been considered large, but now there are about 30 superyachts afloat that are more than 100m long.

For the sake of scale, even Aristotle Onassis's famous Christina O - which was converted in 1954 from a former Canadian navy Second World War convoy escort, and in its heyday the definitive superyacht - falls relatively short at 99m, a little more than half the length of Azzam.

"There was plenty of speculation about 10 years ago, when yachts that were about 120m were being produced, that they were going to be the exception to the rule and there wouldn't be any need to go any larger," says Gorman. "But then there was a significant series of orders placed for very large yachts."

One of the key drivers of the new trend has been the new Passenger Yacht Code, which was introduced in November 2010 by the Red Ensign Group, a collaboration of international shipping registers under whose flag - the British Red Ensign - most superyacht owners choose to sail. It created a separate category of pleasure yachts of any size that carry between 13 and 36 passengers.

It had, said the group, become "increasingly impractical" to apply to pleasure yachts the rules and regulations of the International Maritime Organisation, which had been developed chiefly for cargo ships and passenger vessels.

"Until that code was passed, private yachts were only allowed to have 12 guests aboard, no matter how large the vessel," says Gorman. "And it has allowed much larger yachts."

Any vessel carrying more than 36 passengers would need to be classified as a cruise ship and all the cruise-ship regulations would then apply, such as those dictating the width of the staircases, the fire retardant materials used and, indeed, the design of the vessel itself.

The result, Gorman says, would restrict how designers could work and how superyachts could operate commercially - "and you'd end up with vessels that looked like cruise ships".

So does that mean Azzam's record is safe? Probably not, says Gorman. According to the industry rumour mill, nothing is being built at the moment that comes close to it.

"But there's really no question, I think, that someone will come along and decide to build something larger, just because they can, and there are a number of yards that can build to that size," he adds.

How much Azzam cost to build remains confidential, although media estimates of the cost of Abramovich's smaller Eclipse, built by Blohm + Voss in Hamburg, Germany, and launched in 2010, have ranged from US$500 million (Dh1.8 billion) to $1bn.

Whatever the cost, says Gorman, running the ship will put a further - and continuing - dent in any billionaire's finances.

"There's a rough rule of thumb we use, that it's about 10 per cent of the cost of the original build to operate and maintain a vessel every year," he says. "It's a significant cost. But of course, we are dealing with people for whom, if they are going to be buying a yacht in the first place, these costs are within their ability to manage."

Besides, he adds, a superyacht is a good investment. "A vessel that is well maintained will keep its value for ever - there have been no yachts that have been scrapped," he says.

The industry, Gorman says, is determined to grow, by tempting more billionaires to sample life on the ocean wave.

"You'd be surprised," he says. "But a very small proportion of people who can afford yachts actually own them." The reason is straightforward. "Just think about your group of friends - how many people would be seasick? The thought of going on a boat isn't necessarily appealing to everybody."

What many people do not realise, he says, is that modern superyachts "are incredibly stable".

"The technology that goes into keeping them flat on the water, even when there are waves and swell all around, is amazing."

The industry's goal is to encourage more people to think about purchasing a yacht by getting them to charter, says Gorman. "Charter is really the first step to see whether you enjoy excellent service, all the privacy you can imagine, a really adventurous lifestyle, a fantastic holiday," he says.

One of the main charter portals is SuperYachtsMonaco - whose website, tellingly, is available in only three languages: English, Arabic and Russian.

Most of us, of course, are unlikely ever to sample the high life on board an Azzam or an Eclipse - but that does not mean we do not stand to benefit from the very existence of these maritime monsters, according to the superyacht industry.

High-profile vessels such as Azzam are seen as flag-bearers for an industry keen to broaden its appeal and to demonstrate that it is a key economic driver.

"There are thousands of people involved in the construction of such a yacht," says Peter Lürssen, Lürssen's managing partner, after Azzam's launch. "A thousand at our group and many more thousands in the industry supporting us."

As part of the industry's drive to win recognition of its role as a generator of wealth and employment, Superyacht Intelligence last year published the first comprehensive economic analysis of the super-yacht industry.

It found that superyachts - vessels defined by the Superyacht Intelligence Agency as more than 30m in length - contributed no less than $31.5bn to the global economy in 2010, creating 33,000 crew jobs, and supporting more than 6,000 companies employing as many as 150,000 people.

The country that benefited most was the US, where suppliers and manufacturers accounted for more than half of the near $6bn generated in national revenue, and in excess of 28,000 jobs depended on superyachts.

But the UAE - where Abu Dhabi is developing yards and related services, including ADM Shipyard, which in 2011 launched the 141m superyacht Yas - also featured in the report, with almost 1,000 jobs and revenue of $220m linked to the superyacht industry.

The analysis, concluded the authors, "should clearly demonstrate that the economic impact of superyachts is, undefinably, vast and should not be underestimated. Countries the world over gain economic contribution from superyachts, and as an industry it must be seen as a source of jobs and positive impacts".

Should you find yourself wondering whether the high life on the high seas is for you, why not charter before you buy? It is, of course, now only the second largest superyacht in the world but, unlike Azzam, Eclipse is at least available to rent - yours for $2m a week through SuperYachtsMonaco.

Enjoy the Grand Prix.

The UAE Today

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Here's How Much It Cost To Build The World's Most Expensive Luxury Yacht Azzam

On average, a 100-meter superyacht can fall between $100-200 million. The Azzam is nearly six times this size.

Size does matter, even in yachts, especially when it comes to the money that goes into building them. Which is why the world’s most expensive yacht has to be one of a kind.

With the launch of the gleaming new Azzam, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich could no longer lay claim to being the owner of the world's largest superyacht , Eclipse, though it remains a mighty contender on the high seas. Interestingly, the Eclipse has been home to many a partying celebrity as well .

But let’s talk about the world's most expensive and once the largest yacht,  the Azzam, that belongs to Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of UAE . It stands 590-feet long, a full 57-feet longer than the Eclipse. This means it's far bigger than a football field and even larger than the US Navy destroyers. Anything this big and fully geared with luxury cannot come cheap, can it? And the Azzam is super-duper expensive, costing hundreds of millions.

Here’s what we know about the Azzam and the kind of money that went into building it. Plus, a little about the vessel that dethroned the Azzam from it's largest yacht title.

How Expensive Are Yachts?

Let’s begin from the bottom up to get a better estimate of the Azzam. On average, a 100-meter superyacht can fall between $100-200 million. The Azzam is nearly six times this size. That’s hint number one.

Then there is the annual upkeep, usually standing at about 10% of the yacht’s, value, easily running into thousands of dollars, sometimes also touching millions. Being Middle East royalty helps in one living the good life. Of course, this is also the country where you get to see the craziest cars on the road, especially in Dubai .

Maintaining a yacht is no cakewalk. When you calculate dockage fees, annual maintenance and repairs, staff salaries, insurance premiums, and gas charges, one realizes that a yacht is much like a white elephant. Of not much use, but a lot of expense. Most yachts, therefore, can only be owned by the super-rich as a means to show off their wealth and also reap its harvests .

And we talk of the President of the UAE, the fact that money is no issue to him, is brought home, even more, when you get to know of the monies that went into making this gorgeous yacht that most of us can only dream of even being on, let alone owning.

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This Is The Azzam

For a while, the Azzam was the world’s largest yacht at 590-feet or 180-meters long. Now, it has been pushed back into the second position when it comes to size.

But if you talk about the amount of money that has gone into making the Azzam a haven on water, it still stands at number one and is far ahead of its competitors. Built at a whopping cost of $605 million, we are sure the Azzam comes loaded with luxury and all the world's finest that money can offer. Considering it belongs to the president of the UAE, the details of what went inside are confidential for obvious security purposes.

That said; Azzam employs a staff of 50. The construction of the interior was by Germany’s Lürssen Yachts while for the exterior design, Italian firm Nauta Yachts were hired.

Unlike some boats that should be banned because they are too ugly , the Azzam is tastefully designed and looks gorgeous on the water. The top speed of the Azzam can cross 32 knots, pretty fast for a yacht this size, on two gas turbines and two diesel engines, combining for 47,000 horsepower. It cost about $10 million more than the previous largest-yacht titleholder, the Eclipse.

And yet, its triumph of being the largest has been shortlived for there's another yacht in the world now that may not be as expensive to build, but overshadows the Azzam in size, and well, intention.

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The REV Ocean Helps Save The Ocean

The world’s largest yacht is now the REV Ocean and stands at 600-feet in length. While she is a luxury yacht, what sets her apart is the fact that it is the world’s biggest research vessel as well, and will help fix overfishing, climate change, and plastic pollution in the water.

Kjell Inge Røkke is the proud owner of the REV Ocean, having made his fortune from fishing (the irony!) and offshore oil drilling . His idea was to give back, and the Rev Ocean is a hybrid vessel that has a yacht interior with luxury facilities for paying guests, with an ice-class hull and laboratories better at home in a polar research vehicle.

The best part of the REV Ocean is that money for the research and salaries of the scientists will come from the paying guests. The owner has leased it at just $1 per year to the eponymous non-profit he owns and the idea to save the world's oceans with an oceanic vessel is winning hearts.

That said, when it comes to price, the Azzam still holds on to its title. The REV Ocean, despite being the world's largest yacht, was built it an estimated cost of $350-500 million. The good thing is that getting on to the REV Ocean as a passenger is a lot easier than being invited to the Azzam. Plus, being on the REV Ocean means you do a little bit to save the oceans.

Sources: CNN, Forbes. TheTimes

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The World’s Largest Luxury Yacht

• By Kim Kavin
• Updated: April 5, 2013

Lürssen Yachts in Bremen, Germany, announced today that it has launched the 590-foot Azzam , which officially, well, eclipses the 536-foot Blohm + Voss Eclipse as the world’s largest luxury yacht.

Multiple news reports indicate that the cost to build Azzam is $620 million. Lürssen said the project has thus far taken 28 months since the initial steel was cut, and that Azzam is on schedule to be delivered to her owner after sea trials and detailing are complete.

“When she will be delivered later this year, she will have been in build for only three years following one year of engineering,” Lürssen Managing Partner Peter Lürssen stated in a press release. “She truly represents another milestone in not only our history but yachting history as well.”

Azzam’s sheer size is breathtaking. She would span the length of more than two city blocks in most parts of Manhattan. Looked at another way, she’s the length of about 11 railroad shipping containers laid end-to-end along a straight track.

Azzam is expected to have a top speed of more than 30 knots, driven by two diesel engines plus two gas turbines that combined provide 94,000 horsepower. That is just shy of the 100,000 horsepower generated by the world’s largest reciprocating engine, the Wärtsilä-Sulzer RTA96-C. That engine is 89 feet long and 44 feet tall, and weighs more than 2,300 tons. It is designed for large container ships.

Not to be outshined in the size department, the beam of Azzam is 68 feet, and her draft is 15 feet, 8 inches. The main salon alone is 95 feet long by 59 feet wide—with an open layout and no pillars. That’s right: If the Middle Eastern owner of Azzam wanted to do so, he could have a “regular size” motoryacht model as a sculpture in his formal living room.

The exterior of Azzam is by Nauta Yacht Design, which is based in Milan, Italy. Its brief was to create a yacht with strength of character and a sense of purpose, as well as with timeless elegance and incorporating all elements of contemporary and modern design.

Interior décor is by French designer Christophe Leoni, whose brief was for Empire style, meaning early 1800s neoclassicism that emerged under the rule of Napoleon. (Think Arc de Triomphe and Bonaparte’s bedchamber at Versailles.)

The technical project management for Azzam is by Burgess Yachts. Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi is the overseeing engineer who assembled the team that created the yacht, from concept through construction.

Click here to see more photos of the Azzam.

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Iconic yachts: Inside the design journey of Lürssen's record-breaking 180m superyacht Azzam

At the time of her launch in 2013 , 180m Azzam was both the longest and biggest yacht in the world – a crown she was to wear for six years. It was only the launch of expedition vessel REV Ocean in late 2019 that pushed Azzam into second place, while her huge volume of 13,136GT is only eclipsed by Dilbar (2016).

In her livery of pure white paint, Azzam remains one of the world’s most impressive yachts. She was built by Lürssen for the Emir of Abu Dhabi to an initial concept from Emirati engineer Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi. Astonishingly, given her size and extreme complexity, she took just three years to build.

“She truly represents another milestone in not only our history, but yachting history as well," said Lürssen managing partner Peter Lürssen proudly, just before she hit the water.

And yet, despite her extraordinary dimensions, this was a yacht initially designed to measure “just” 145m overall. Designer Mario Pedol of Nauta Yachts says that the boat grew as the brief progressed. He was responsible for her sleek exterior styling, maintaining elegant proportions, and takes it as a compliment when people say that Azzam doesn’t look her full 180m.

The exterior lines look just as modern today as they did when she was built. Naturally enough, the owner wanted a “timeless” design – something Pedol has certainly delivered. “ Azzam  features balanced, modern architecture composed of straight lines and proportional volumes, which are some of the main design principles of Nauta Design,” Pedol told Boat International. At the time of commission, the studio’s biggest design was the 90m Light 90, whose design is said to have inspired Azzam .

Interior design work was commissioned from renowned French designer Christophe Leoni, to a brief that called for a turn-of-the-century Empire style. He is better known for his architectural work, and had already worked on some of the Emir’s homes. Back in 2013, he admitted: “Though yachting is not my main area of business, I thoroughly enjoyed the cooperation with Nauta and Lürssen.”

Detail of the yacht’s interior is still a closely guarded secret, although it is believed to mirror the Emir’s homes. Wooden furniture is very much in evidence, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and intricate marquetry. Amongst many other features, the yacht’s interior boasts a vast main salon measuring 29m long and running the full 18m beam of the boat. It is an entirely open-plan space engineered such that there are no pillars. It also offers a “golf practice room” among its fitness facilities.

Engineering was a big part of this project and tested the Lürssen team to the maximum. The yacht had to remain comfortable in the warm waters and high temperatures of the Gulf region. She also required an unusually shallow draft of 4.3m for ease of manoeuvring. That meant the use of pump jets instead of propellers. But the brief also called for speed, and so Azzam is specced with twin gas turbines and twin diesels for a combined output of 94,000hp. It’s enough to get this huge vessel up to more than 30 knots!

Azzam in numbers

Beam : 20.80m

Draft : 4.30m

Guests : 36

Crew : 70-80

Engines : 2x 26MW gas turbines, 2x 9MW MTU diesel engines

Top speed : 33 knots

Builder : Lürssen

Designer (ext): Nauta Yachts

Designer (int): Christophe Leoni

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Luxury Toys / Marine

Azzam: the world’s largest private superyacht.

By Federico Tibytt

January 27, 2014

• Luxury Toys
• Azzam: The World’s Largest Private…

The German shipyard Lürssen launched on the waters of the North Sea the largest superyacht ever built: the Azzam.

Despite its impressive dimensions: 590 feet in length and 68 feet wide, this five-level giant has a maximum draft of just 14 feet, which allows it to navigate in shallow waters. A set of 4 engines, two diesel and two running on gasoline, let the megayacht glide through the world’s oceans. Together, they produce the awesome force of 94,000 HP, which achieve a maximum speed of 30 knots (about 35 miles per hour). These are exceptional numbers considering its size and weight, and even more striking if we compare it with its peers, such as Eclipse, formerly the world’s largest yacht and property of Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich .Azzam has broken several records, becoming the largest, faster, most powerful and expensive megayacht on the seas.

A billionaire Arab sheikh, who declined to reveal his identity, commissioned the amazing Azzam and the construction cost exceeded $600 million. On top of that, the annual maintenance is estimated at 10 percent of the construction cost, so presumably to keep the Azzam running would cost around $60 million every 12 months.

Azzam Superyacht

This spectacular engineering feat was carried out by the German shipyard Lürssen Vegesack, in the city of Bremen, under the directives of Nauta Yachts for its exterior design. The renowned designer Christophe Leoni was in charge of the decor and interior design. From the aesthetic point of view, the vessel stands out for its moderate, stylish, modern and elegant lines on the outside while, at the request of its owner, the interior was decorated in an imperial style. The dissemination of images or details about the interior features of the ship has not been allowed, something very common among owners of such vessels who prefer to keep confidential the private areas of their luxury superyachts .

However, according to the journal Industry Tap , the Azzam could be available for charter, although no lease figures have been published as of today. Given the high cost of maintenance of the ship, its luxury and comfort, it is likely that the weekly rental could easily exceed the $2.6 million commanded by its predecessor, the Eclipse.

Undoubtedly, Azzam has broken several records, becoming the largest, faster, most powerful and expensive megayacht on the seas, and seeing it in action incites the admiration and respect that only giants can generate.   ■

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Zuckerberg Trying To Catch Up To Bezos's Yacht Game: Meta Platforms CEO Spends $330 Million On Yachts

O wning a superyacht is a rite of passage for tech billionaires. Meta Platforms Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon.com Inc. Founder Jeff Bezos, two of the wealthiest people on the planet, have each made headlines with their extravagant yacht purchases. Zuckerberg recently acquired two luxury vessels totaling $330 million, including a yacht and a support yacht. 

While $330 million is a lot of money, it's not going to put a significant dent in Zuckerberg's net worth. According to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List from March 7, Zuckerberg is worth $179.5 billion. A $330 million expenditure comes out to 0.18% of that. That's the equivalent of someone with a $1 million net worth spending $1,800 on a fancy canoe.

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Zuckerberg’s flagship purchase is the Launchpad, a 387-foot beauty that boasts a helipad, dive center and decompression chamber — perfect for Zuckerberg’s adventurous spirit. Additional features include a massive observation lounge, a pool and a bar area. Industry publication Luxury Launches notes it will likely cost Zuckerberg at least $30 million per year to operate Launchpad.

Accommodating 24 guests and a crew of 48, Launchpad offers luxury and comfort on a grand scale. Zuckerberg’s second purchase, the support vessel Wingman, provides additional space and amenities, including a helideck and a dive center. Wingman includes space for a variety of toys, such as a submersible, various rescue tenders, diving gear, Vespa scooters and a host of other vehicles and equipment. 

Originally commissioned by Russian oligarch Vladimir Potanin, the ship remained in its Dutch shipyard for some time before the Dutch authorities allowed its sale to a non-Russian — Zuckerberg. 

Trending: Fortnite’s creator company greenlights partial ownership for up to 100 accredited investors in the upcoming series.

In terms of size and expense, Bezos’s superyacht and his support vessel dwarfs Zuckerberg’s. Bezos owns Koru, the world's largest sailing yacht, which reportedly cost at least $500 million. His support ship Abeona is a 246-foot motor yacht that carries crew and an array of vehicles and supplies. Bezos took steps in late 2023 to hide his yacht's location from the public , turning off Koru's automatic identification system (AIS), a data tracker that transmits a ship's course and other information to improve safety and communication with nearby ships. 

Other billionaires, including LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, also own yachts. Arnault owns Symphony a 333-foot luxury yacht. While Bezos's 417-foot yacht is gigantic and ostentatious, it is also surpassed by other mega yachts. The House of Nahyan, the royal family of Abu Dhabi who are considered the richest family in the world , owns the Azzam, the biggest yacht in the world at 591 feet. 

As these tech titans continue to push the boundaries of wealth and extravagance, their superyachts serve as symbols of their success and status in the world of billionaires.

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© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

This article Zuckerberg Trying To Catch Up To Bezos's Yacht Game: Meta Platforms CEO Spends $330 Million On Yachts originally appeared on Benzinga.com .

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Russian oligarch's yacht is costing U.S. taxpayers close to $1 million a month

A mega-yacht seized by U.S. authorities from a Russian oligarch is costing the government nearly $1 million a month to maintain, according to new court filings.

• The Justice Department is seeking permission to sell Amadea, which it seized in 2022, alleging that it was owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov.
• Attorneys for Eduard Khudainatov, an ex-Rosneft CEO who has not been sanctioned, say he owns the yacht, and have sought to take back possession of the vessel.

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking permission to sell a 348-foot yacht called Amadea, which it seized in 2022, alleging that it was owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov. The government said it wants to sell the $230 million yacht due to the "excessive costs" of maintenance and crew, which it said could total $922,000 a month.

"It is excessive for taxpayers to pay nearly a million dollars per month to maintain the Amadea when these expenses could be reduced to zero through [a] sale," according to a court filing by U.S. prosecutors on Friday.

The monthly charges for Amadea, which is now docked in San Diego, California, include $600,000 per month in running costs: $360,000 for the crew; $75,000 for fuel; and $165,000 for maintenance, waste removal, food and other expenses. They also include $144,000 in monthly pro-rata insurance costs and special charges including dry-docking fees, at $178,000, bringing the total to $922,000, according to the filings.

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The battle over Amadea and the costs to the government highlight the financial and legal challenges of seizing and selling assets owned by Russian oligarchs after the country's invasion of Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said last week that the European Union should use profits from more than $200 billion of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's war effort.

Her comments echoed government calls in the spring of 2022 to freeze the yachts, private jets and mansions of Russian billionaires in hopes of putting pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and raising money for the war effort.

Yet, nearly two years later, the legal process for proving ownership of the Russian assets and selling them has proven to be far more time-consuming and costly. In London, Russian billionaire Eugene Shvidler has waged a court battle over his private jets that were impounded, and Sergei Naumenko has been appealing the detention of his superyacht Phi.

The battle over Amadea began in April 2022, when it was seized in Fiji at the request of the U.S. government, according to the court filings.

Though the U.S. alleges that the yacht is owned by Kerimov, who made his fortune in mining, attorneys for Eduard Khudainatov, an ex-Rosneft CEO who has not been sanctioned, say he owns the yacht, and have sought to take back possession of the vessel.

In court filings, Khudainatov's attorneys have objected to the U.S. government's efforts to sell the yacht, saying a rushed sale could lead to a distressed sale price and that the maintenance costs are minor relative to the potential sale value.

Khudainatov's attorneys refuse to pay the ongoing maintenance costs as long as the government pursues a sale and forfeiture. However, they say their client will reimburse the U.S. government for the more than $20 million already spent to maintain the yacht if it's returned to its proper owner.

In court papers, the government says Kerimov disguised his ownership of Amadea through a series of shell companies and other owners. They say emails between crew members show Kerimov "was the beneficial owner of the yacht, irrespective of the titleholder of the vessel."

The emails show that Kerimov and his family ordered several interior improvements of the yacht, including a new pizza oven and spa, and that between 2021 and 2022, when the boat was seized, "there were no guest trips on the Amadea that did not include either Kerimov or his family members," according to the court filings.

The government also says Kerimov has been trying to sell Amadea for years, so a sale would be in keeping with his intent.

"This is not a situation in which a court would be ordering sale of a precious heirloom that a claimant desperately wishes to keep for sentimental reasons," the government said in filings.

Even if Amadea were sold quickly, the proceeds wouldn't automatically go to the government. Under law, the money would be held while Khudainatov and the government continue their battle in court over the ownership and forfeiture. Don't miss these stories from CNBC PRO:

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