Yachting: Top 7 stories of the week

Here is a list of the most important news of yachting of the last week, according to Yachrharbour.

1. 76m Ebony Shine seized by Dutch authorities

The 76-meter Ebony Shine, reportedly owned by Teodorin Obiang, vice-president and son of the president of Equatorial Guinea, was seized by Dutch authorities in The Netherlands on December 2nd at the request of Swiss courts according to L’Hebdo. According to the publication, the Swiss government had already been investigating Teodorin Obiang for some time due to alleged money laundering charges, seizing 11 cars from him back in November. A spokesman for the Malabo government however denied claims that Teodorin Obiang was the owner of those cars and yachts, explaining to L’Hebdo that those were owned by the State of Equatorial Guinea.

2. Kleven hands over 116m Ulysses

Norwegian ship builder Kleven has handed over the 116m superyacht Ulysses to her owner. The vessel left Kleven Verft in Ulsteinvik, Norway this weekend, heading for Germany, where the final completion of the vessel is to be carried out by mid 2017. Launched in March 2016, the 116-meter is being built for Graeme Hart, New Zealand’s richest man with a net worth of $7.6 billion according to Forbes. In the yachting world however, Mr Hart is best known as the owner of Ulysses, the 107-meter explorer delivered by Kleven earlier this year and near sistership to the 116-meter new build.

3. 72m concept Aquila introduced

Project Aquila was just introduced as part of the Worth Avenue Yachts Collection. With an Evan K Marshall interior and an exterior designed by Christopher Seymour, Aquila is set to measure 72.75-meters in length. Capable of accommodating 12 guests in 6 staterooms and a crew of 20, Aquila will have a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. From a technical side, she is set to reach 18 knots, cruise at 15 knots and have a range of 6,000 nautical miles at an economical speed of 12 knots.

4. Benetti has 63m Project Balance under construction

Benetti’s Livorno facilities has recently welcomed a 63m steel hull for completion. The hull belongs to build number FB276 known as Project Balance. Measuring 63m, Giorgio M Cassetta designed superyacht features Bannenberg & Rowell interior style. The superyacht accommodates 12 guests in 6 cabins, as well as a crew of 13 in 9 cabins.

5. The largest Feadship superyacht to date spotted in North Holland

Following the recent launch of 96.55m Project Vertigo, Feadship’s largest superyacht to date went on transport to IJmuiden a week ago. Jan Ramaker captured these beautiful photos of 110m Project 1007 assisted by the tugs “Dutch Pioneer”, “Broedertrouw 15” and “Johanna van der Wees”. After her arrival in IJmuiden they will pass the baton to tugs “Broedertrouw 14” and “Broedertrouw 2” while heading to Project’s 1007 shelter for the upcoming time: the Feaship yard in Makkum.

6. Wider 150 sold to Canadian buyer

Wider Yachts, the Italian shipyard established in 2010, has announced the sale of their first Wider 150, Genesi. The 47-meter yacht was listed for sale asking €26,500,000 following its launch in November 2015.

7. First Maiora 36 raised pilot house yacht under construction

Fipa Group is presently working on the construction of the first hull in the new Maiora 36 line which is due for delivery in summer 2017. Measuring 36.2-meter, the vessel will be built in all GRP materials with 2 options available: one with a raised pilothouse and the other in what they term Royale configuration. Her alluring amenities include a jacuzzi on the aft sundeck, transverse tender garage for tender and PWC. Performance wise the yacht will be powered by twin MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines.