Launched in 2015 by Feadship in the Netherlands, the 83.5-meter Savannah became a landmark project for her shipyard, becoming one of the first true representations of a hybrid superyacht. With features such as an underwater observation room and a 9-meter swimming pool, the yacht was recently made available for charter from €1 million per week.
Built as a separate room, adjacent to the entrance to the master stateroom, the owner's study features floor-to-ceiling windows, not unlike other areas on Savannah, as well as a fully-stocked library and lounging area.
Built for Swedish billionaire, Lukas Lundin, according to the New York Times, Savannah boasts the first hybrid propulsion system implemented on a yacht of this size.
Built under the codename Monkey Business, Savannah stretches across a beam of 12.5 meters, the widest possible measurement that allowed her to cruise out of the shipyard and into the sea through Dutch canals. Straying away from classical Feadship lines, Savannah's rounded shapes were drawn by CG Design, the second superyacht the French studio ever designed.
Having designed the interior of Lundin's previous yacht, a 49-meter Christensen named Odessa, the French studio aimed to look at yacht design in a different way. The result was the creation of spaces such as the underwater observation lounge, a secret room in the bow and a customized interior layout.
"It is not the individual technologies used on Savannah that are new in the yachting world - it is the way they have been combined." detailed the owner's project manager, Ted McCumber at the time of her delivery.
Prior to Savannah, hybrid superyachts had long been an ambition for various shipyards but the yet unproven technology was failing to attract enough attention from clients to warrant them venturing into nine-figure yacht construction projects on a dream.
This all changed in 2011 when Lundin placed an order with Feadship to build the 83.5-meter Savannah. Initially skeptical to implementing the propulsion technology that would set Savannah apart, Lundin reportedly had his engineer ride several passenger ships in Japan where a similar technology had been installed to test it out on the seas.
Featuring five different operating modes, from diesel to fully electric, Savannah features a 30-tons lithium battery bank capable of holding up to 1 million watts of electricity. Using best of both worlds, Savannah can reach a cruising speed of 18 knots in diesel-electric mode.
Savannah's main salon is purposely located on the same level as her 9-meter swimming pool, to create a gigantic open space on the main deck. Should guests open the weathertight doors, which get stacked invisibly on the side, a virtually natural transition between the indoor salon and the outdoor swimming pool takes place.
Low lounging furniture located all around the swimming pool create an ideal location for sunbathing, whilst at the same time letting guests experience an untampered view all around from the mosaic swimming pool. Railings have also been built in such a manner to keep an open view.
Inside the main deck, the circular layout theme continues with round shapes found in a variety of places. From the light spread on the ceiling to the concealed staircase on the side to the shapes of the carpets and furniture, the circular theme spreads throughout the main deck lounge.
Another noticeable detail is that instead of cutting through rooms in a straight line, corridors flow throughout the layout of the yacht in curves, mimicking the shape of a wave and the sea as they spread through the 83.5-meter yacht.
"When we were in design meetings, [the designer] would turn to me and ask if there was a 'nautical reason' for things - straight hallways and square rooms for example. If we'd say no, she'd say: 'Good, let's do it a different way.' There was not one detail she would not spend days going over to make sure Savannah was perfect. She really pushed the yard with her design to build the best possible yacht for the owner" McCumber explained to BI.
In between the main salon and the upper deck lounge are two tall, video screens built into the wall that feature abstract video art that spreads across the decks. "It was hard work designing and implementing" Gherardi, the designer, explained BI "but it was worth the effort. It creates movement, a view in a space which is normally stale".
The lighting installed onboard the 83.5m Savannah is amongst one of the most complex ever built on a yacht of this size. Developed by Milan's Metis Lighting, some elements of Savannah's lighting scheme feature up to 10 different colors, lenses and positions. The yacht's exterior strip lighting was on the other hand developed by Total Looks. Although the yacht is very bright by day, at night she takes on an almost mysterious look thanks to her lighting choices.
Past the tall video screens is located the yacht's main dining table, capable of comfortably accommodating all 12 of Savannah's guests. The same outdoor to indoor transition that guests would see on the main deck can also be spotted on the upper deck, as seemingly endless windows can be stacked away to open the area completely onto the outside lounge, perfectly suited for cocktails.
Forward on the upper deck is the owner's stateroom. Offering an unparalleled, 180-degree view as the yacht cruises forward, the master stateroom basically translates to an owner's deck, complete with a study and lounge. To offer even more light, a glass feature was installed into the suite's ceiling.
Up on the third deck starts a transition to a wellness area with a well-equipped gym located aft of the deck with the same transition from outdoor to indoor as guests previously had found on lower decks. A unique opportunity to exercise with an unbeatable view whether underway or at anchor.
A space dedicated for relaxing in the summer sun, Savannah's sundeck features extensive space for lounging. Sunbeds are located aft of the deck, with a lounging area, which could be used as a casual dining spot protected by shade from Savannah's roof.
Forward of the sundeck can be found even more lounging space protected by a shade as well as extensive areas for sunbathing on the sides of the yacht. Towards the bow is a hot tub that seamlessly blends into the deck with no railings around and nothing to block an incomparable view.
In addition to her owner's stateroom, Savannah features five guest cabins bring the total number of guests to 12, catered to by a crew of 24. Located down on the main deck, guest accommodation is split into two twins, two guest cabins and one VIP cabin with a foldable balcony.
Featuring a light set of colors, Savannah's guest cabins continue the yacht's circular theme through round shapes found in various setups throughout the guest accommodation. Another aspect that's also replicated in these staterooms are the large windows found in every cabin.
Savannah's most standout feature, even perhaps surpassing the novelty of her inspired hybrid propulsion, is the so-called Nemo room. Letting its guest look out into the sea from a stadium-like layout, the room features unquestionably one of the best views onboard with the ability to watch sea life from the comfort of an 83.5-meter superyacht.
Accessible from main deck aft, the underwater observation lounge also doubles as a cinema with a giant screen dropping down from the ceiling and transforming the area from a place to stare at the depths of the ocean into a fully-functional cinema.
Lukas Lundin was born in 1958, the son of Adolf Lundin, a Swedish entrepreneur that established several businesses with the natural resources space and made his first breakthrough discovery of an oil field in Qatar in the 1970s.
Graduating from the New Mexico Institue of Mining and Technology in 1981, Lukas Lundin held a variety of high-profile position in the petroleum sector during the 1980-90s. Through his tenure at those ventures, he participated in a number of 9-figure takeovers of gold and oil businesses.
Ranking simultaneously on the list of richest people in Sweden and in Canada, due to his dual citizenship, Lundin has an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion combined with his brother Ian, who runs Lundin Petroleum. He competed four times in the famed Paris-Dakar race, finishing it twice.
The Lundin's family mantra, according to the international press, has been "no guts, no glory" ever since Adolf Lundin started his first company in the natural resources space. One such move was the Lundins investing $12 million in an Argentinian copper asset in 1992 during a period of instability, selling it for $500 million in 1995.
According to Lundin, success in the natural resources space requires 3 things. "First — risk-taking. Second — you have to be a giant optimist. Third — you have to be willing to go out there and do it. It’s easy to sit on a couch and talk about it, but then you have to actually fly to some crazy place and pick up the concessions and develop them." he said in an interview to CEO CA in 2013.
In recent years, Lukas Lundin has been most famous in the business community for his ability to discover natural resources using sometimes unconventional methods by granting its employees more freedom to test out new ideas.
Lundin Petroleum, for example, discovered near 2 billion barrels of oil in an area that had previously been drilled without success. Lundin believes this resource alone is worth $12 billion.
Lundin has also been hailed for his repeatedly impeccable timing, allowing for tremendous exits in the space that have yielded his shareholders colossal returns. In 2010, the Lundin Organization sold their Red Back Minning company to Kinross gold for $9,2 billion, generating a 1041% return for shareholders. The acquirer, Kinross, eventually had to write down billions as a result of this transaction and ultimately its CEO, Tye Burt retired early.
Lundin pushing the yachting industry forward with the delivery of Savannah comes as the Scandinavian region, in general, has been recently becoming a powerhouse in the superyacht space.
Gulf Craft has delivered the first unit of its 32.3-meter Majesty 100 Terrace series following its debut at the 2025 Dubai International Boat Show. The fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) yacht features a semi-displacement hull designed by Dutch firm Phathom Studio.The model's distinctive features include multiple outdoor terraces, fold-down balconies, and a private owner's terrace on the foredeck with 270-degree views. The owner's cabin incorporates floor-to-ceiling glass and skylights, with direct access to the forward terrace. Accommodation includes five cabins for 10 guests and crew quarters for six.With a 199GT volume and 7.2-meter beam, the yacht reaches a top speed of 20 knots powered by twin MAN engines. At a cruising speed of 12 knots, the range extends to 1,050 nautical miles. The upper deck features a hot tub and sunpad area with glass panels that illuminate the owner's terrace below.The Majesty 100 Terrace follows the 34.1-meter Majesty 111 model, sharing similar interior layouts but with a redesigned semi-displacement hull. Gulf Craft currently has two units of the new model under construction at its Umm al-Qaywayn shipyard in the UAE.Since the company’s inception in 1982, Gulf Craft has grown to become one of the top seven shipyards in the world: once a builder of small fishing boats in its modest premises, which was a genuine passion for Gulf Craft, they then established their credentials as a leader of innovation and technology in the yachting industry. With five brands in their product portfolio ranging from 31 to 175 feet, Gulf Craft manufactures yachts and boats that appeal to a wide audience, such as touring passenger vessels, Silvercraft family day boats, Oryx Sport Cruisers, Nomad Explorer Yachts, and the flagship Majesty Yachts.Credits: Gulf Craft
August 1, 2025
Dutch yacht builder Oceanco has transitioned to new ownership under American entrepreneur Gabe Newell, while previous owners the Barwani family retain their stake in Turkish shipyard Turquoise Yachts. The ownership change follows Oceanco's legacy of constructing notable superyachts including the 110-meter Kaos, 109-meter Bravo Eugenia, 106-meter Black Pearl, and 127-meter Koru.Newell assumes ownership with stated intentions to maintain Oceanco's operational focus on craftsmanship and workforce development rather than implementing financial restructuring. The new owner has emphasized continuity in the shipyard's human-centered approach to yacht construction.Gabe Newel"Gabe Newell is not entering this world as a financier or a strategist, but as a hands-on visionary who respects the sea, the craft, and above all, the people who make it possible," stated the company's transition announcement.Dr. BarwaniThe Barwani family, Oceanco's previous owners since 2010, will continue their yachting industry involvement through Turquoise Yachts, which specializes in custom builds up to 77 meters. Oceanco's current project portfolio and management team are expected to remain unchanged under the new ownership structure.Oceanco was founded in 1987. Right now it is a world-class builder of custom superyachts up to the 140 meters range. Oceanco works with world-known designers such as Terence Disdale, Nuvolari-Lenard, Espen Oeino, Sam Sorgiovanni, Igor Lobanov, Tim Heywood and Andrew Winch to create some of the timeless and award-winning yachts afloat today.Credits: Oceanco
August 1, 2025
The 2025 Monaco Yacht Show will host "Tribute to Yachting," a photographic exhibition by French photographer Guillaume Plisson. The exhibition will display 100 large-format images throughout Port Hercule from September 24-27, integrated with the show's layout.A preview selection will debut during the Grand Opening Night on September 23. The exhibition aims to provide visual interludes for attendees while highlighting emotional aspects of yachting beyond technical specifications."This collaboration reflects our desire to celebrate the human side of yachting - the stories and quiet beauty beyond the surface," said Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director of Monaco Yacht Show.Plisson's work documents various yachting elements including design, operations, and lifestyle. "The exhibition serves as a condensed retrospective and tribute to those who make yachting possible," Plisson stated, acknowledging industry support for his photographic access over the years.The exhibition aligns with the show's focus on innovation, design, sustainability and lifestyle. It represents an effort to engage visitors emotionally with yachting culture while maintaining the event's commercial focus.Credits: MYS
August 1, 2025
Northrop & Johnson has announced the lease through donation of the 43.6-meter Feadship motor yacht True North, built in 1987 by Van Lent shipyard. The vessel's recent $4 million refit in 2021 addressed critical systems while preserving its classic Dutch craftsmanship.The comprehensive refit program included complete hull plating renewal and tank work to satisfy Bureau Veritas 35-year survey requirements. Mechanical upgrades focused on the twin CAT 3508 DI-TA engines, while new Quantum zero-speed stabilizers were installed to enhance onboard comfort. Guest areas received modernized accommodations, including renovated Crema Marfil marble bathrooms in the full-beam master suite.True North has compiled an extensive cruising history, having completed multiple transatlantic crossings and operated successfully in both tropical and temperate climates. The yacht's robust construction and 4,000-nautical-mile range at 11 knots have supported operations throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Northern Europe.Current configuration accommodates 16 guests across five staterooms, including four convertible guest cabins with multiple bedding options. Outdoor amenities feature a sundeck hot tub, swim-up bar, and expanded swim platform. The yacht's service areas utilize dedicated crew staircases to maintain operational efficiency."True North represents the enduring quality of Feadship construction," noted Northrop & Johnson brokers Kevin Merrigan and Kristen Klein. "The recent refit ensures this classic yacht meets contemporary expectations while retaining its original character."The donation lease arrangement provides for the yacht's continued operation while supporting the donor's philanthropic objectives. True North remains certified for global cruising following its recent survey compliance and mechanical upgrades.Based in the Netherlands and with roots dating back to 1849, Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of the Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
July 31, 2025
Swiss energy company Repower has unveiled Lucietta, Venice's first fully electric water taxi, marking a significant advancement in sustainable marine transportation for the historic city. The 9.3-meter vessel, designed by Nauta Design and built by Murano's Cantiere Serenella shipyard, debuted at the Venice Boat Show and will serve during the 2025 Venice Film Festival before entering regular service.Constructed using a combination of traditional Venetian boatbuilding techniques and modern sustainable materials, Lucietta features a lightweight carbon fiber hull and incorporates recycled Murano glass elements developed by local startup Rehub. The construction process maintained Venice's strict dimensional constraints for canal navigation while implementing contemporary electric propulsion technology.The vessel is powered by a 200kW electric motor with a 180 kWh battery system specifically optimized for Venice's operating conditions. Performance specifications include a top speed of 30 knots (55.5 km/h) and sufficient battery capacity for a full 8-hour workday at typical lagoon speeds of 7-20 km/h. Compared to conventional diesel water taxis, Lucietta completely eliminates direct emissions during operation and reduces energy consumption by approximately 60%.Environmental impact projections indicate each Lucietta water taxi will prevent about 12 tons of CO2 emissions annually while completely eliminating particulate matter emissions. The electric propulsion system also reduces noise pollution from 85 dB to 45 dB - an 85% decrease that significantly improves the acoustic environment of Venice's canals. Over its operational lifetime, the electric taxi is expected to have 30% lower maintenance costs than combustion engine models."Electric boating represents a crucial part of the sustainable mobility revolution," stated Fabio Bocchiola, CEO of Repower Italia, noting the European electric boating market is projected to reach $13 billion by 2030. The project builds on Repower's previous electric boat initiative that received a Compasso d'Oro honorable mention in 2020.Nauta Design's Massimo Gino explained the design process: "We studied original taxi designs and interviewed operators to create a modern electric version that respects Venice's strict dimensional constraints for canals and bridges." The collaboration with local artisans at Cantiere Serenella ensured the preservation of traditional Venetian craftsmanship while implementing sustainable technologies.Lucietta can accommodate up to 14 passengers and will initially serve during high-profile Venice events before expanding to regular water taxi service. The introduction coincides with Venice's increasing restrictions on combustion engine vessels in its sensitive lagoon ecosystem, positioning electric water transportation as a viable solution for the city's unique mobility challenges.Credits: Nauta Design
July 31, 2025