Italian-based shipyard Rossinavi has launched their largest build to date, with the 229ft (70m) ice-class “Polaris” superyacht hitting the water at the Viareggio-based shipyard.
The Rossinavi built Polaris superyacht launching at Viareggio, Italy. Credit: Rossinavi/Michele Chiroli
Italian-based shipyard Rossinavi has launched their largest build to date, with the 229ft (70m) ice-class “Polaris” superyacht hitting the water at the Viareggio-based shipyard.
Wholly designed by Venice-based architecture and design firm Enrico Gobbi – Team for Design, who have had a long-standing relationship with Rossinavi, the polar-capable superyacht has been known as “Project King Shark” throughout its four-year build.
Rossinavi’s Polaris is the Italian shipyards largest build to date. Credit: Rossinavi/Michele Chiroli
Built on commission for an existing Rossinavi client, Polaris is also Rossinavi’s most technically advanced superyacht. Although designed to navigate extreme ice conditions, it still is very much a lifestyle yacht that can be enjoyed just as easily cruising the warmer waters of the Caribbean.
While it would have been easy to sacrifice visual appeal for practically as is done with some ice-class explorer yachts, instead, Enrico Gobbi and the Team for Design embraced the challenge of creating an aesthetically pleasing yacht design capable of both long-range cruising and operating in sub-zero polar regions.
Initially, a 213ft (65m) yacht was proposed, but throughout negotiations, it became apparent a larger vessel would be needed to house the technical capabilities required for remote cruising, and Enrico Gobbi Team for Design utilized various design methods to achieve a delicate balance between style and functionality.
“The neat and elegant shapes of the yacht are underlined by long, continuous black window surfaces with curved details that soften up and characterize the overall cleanness of the superstructure,” shared Enrico Gobbi. “Our aim here was to open up the interiors towards the exterior, ensuring an ongoing view of the sea through the decks. This was achieved not by creating huge invasive openings but by instead designing refined, long and slender windows with which we were able to achieve the same goal.”
Designed by Enrico Gobbi – Team for Design. Credit: Rossinavi/Michele Chiroli
Polaris’s fully bespoke interior was designed in collaboration with Carlo Lionetti, co-director of Team for Design, and features a contemporary design infused with “eclectic hints inspired by the client’s personal taste” along with high-end textiles and furniture.
Early render of the ice-class Polaris superyacht. Credit: Rossinavi
Standout features of Polaris’s design include:
An indoor waterfall that flows over a back-lit onyx wall in the main salon.
The owner’s deck with a private terrace and waterfall.
The 6m infinity pool located on the aft of the main deck.
Remarking on the completion of Polaris, Federico Rossi noted, “After four years under construction, we are extremely proud to present this grand superyacht. Polaris is a 70m vessel where our construction skills and technical know-how are perfectly combined.”
With a range of 6,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots, Polaris features the latest diesel-electric propulsion system offering performance, emission, and fuel consumption advantages. Other uses of cutting-edge technology include the Satellite Dynamic System, which allows Polaris to engage “dynamic anchoring” when needed (even in extreme weather scenarios.
Ready for launch. Credit: Rossinavi/Michele Chiroli
UK design studio Harrison Eidsgaard has revealed their latest expedition yacht concept – the 417ft “Rex” designed for a client wanting “something different”.
“Rex” expedition yacht designed by Harrison Eidsgaard. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard
UK design studio Harrison Eidsgaard has unveiled their latest design known as “Rex” – a 417ft expedition yacht named for the Latin word for “King” and created specifically for a client looking for “something different.”
Designed with a streamlined white and grey exterior, the sporty expedition yacht concept boasts four terraces with a 46ft pool on the main deck that can be enclosed with glass to create an indoor pool in cold climates, an oversized cinema, a two-story gym, and an Airbus A160 helicopter hangar that converts into a squash court when not in use.
Pool on the main deck can be enclosed with glass for colder climates. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard
Accommodation for 22 guests consists of a master suite and ten guest suites each with their own terrace and direct access to the forward and aft atrium staircases while features like the submerged “Neptune” lounge offers guests an underwater view of their surroundings from below and a “Panorama” observation lounge on the top deck offering 360-degree views from above.
One of the two helicopter hangars on the Rex expedition yacht. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard
The Rex Expedition yacht is also designed with a full-beam garage with room for a 49-foot expedition vessel, two 30-foot tenders, and a large crane to assist with moving the toys in and out of the water.
Regarding performance, Harrison Eidsgaard has utilized a significant hull chine and sharp bow design for improved fuel efficiency and a hybrid propulsion package that could be converted to a hydrogen system in the future for zero-emissions cruising.
Neptune lounge with underwater viewing. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard
Alia Yachts has launched the 180ft Al Waab II superyacht at its shipyard in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of its final delivery in September.
Alia Yachts built Al Waab II being transported for launch. Credit: Alia Yachts
Alia Yachts has launched the 180ft Al Waab II superyacht at its shipyard in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of its final delivery in September which coincides with the Monaco Yacht Show later this year.
After two years in construction amongst the ongoing pandemic, the production schedule was surprisingly only delayed by two weeks, with Alia Yachts President Gökhan Çelik noting, “the last two years have been difficult, but we took a lot of health and safety measures, and, to offset delays experienced by our European suppliers, we worked around the problem and found ways to recreate lost time.
Launched at Alia Yacht’s shipyard in Antalya, Turkey. Credit: Ali Yachts
“The fact we’ve done it in just over two years despite everything is a credit to the determination of the men and women who work here.”
Designed by Dutch design studio Vripack, Al Waab II accommodates up to 12 guests and features a modern design with a neutral color palette across the five staterooms and the master suite split across the upper and main decks.
Designed by Dutch design firm Vripack. Credit: Alia Yachts
“For many owners, the concept of enjoying a ‘home at sea’ is what drives their passion for yachting,” says Bart Bouwhuis, Co-creative Director at Vripack. “The owner of Al Waab II had the explicit desire to use his boat as a family apartment. That desire became the founding principle of the entire design. The result is the very essence of living on the water.”
Early render of the Alia Yachts built Al Waab II. Credit: Alia Yachts
“We’re very proud of Al Waab II,” says Alia President, Gökhan Çelik, adding, “Yachts are getting longer and wider, but owners still want to stay below the 500 GT mark. We’ve seen increasing interest in this kind of yacht and so to be one of the first with such an impressive project is an important milestone for Alia.”
The Al Waab II will now undergo sea trials and final outfitting ahead of delivery to her owner.
Heesen Yachts 164ft Project Altea has officially been launched as MY ELA and is on her way to the Mediterranean for the summer.
Heesen Yachts 164ft MY ELA (formerly known as Project Altea) has officially launched in the Netherlands and is currently on her way to the Mediterranean for the summer.
Purchased only three months before delivery, the lightweight, aluminum fast-displacement hull built on Heesen’s sub-500GT Nova Plus engineering platform and interiors had already been completed when she caught the eye of the new owners.
MY ELA on her way to the Mediterranean for the summer. Credit: Heesen
Featuring large floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious light-filled living areas designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects and warm and inviting interior designed by Italian interior designer Cristiano Gatto, all that remained for the new owners of MY ELA was to customize the final details to make it their own.
With only three months from the purchase date until delivery, Cristiano Gatto worked alongside the team at Heesen to fully customize the interiors in time for delivery.
Original interior concept of Project Altea/MY ELA. Credit: Heesen
“Together with the client, we revisited all the loose furniture, inside and out, selecting new materials for all the upholstery and the key items from Paola Lenti, B&B Italia, Poltrona Frau, and Promemoria,” said Cristiano. “But more importantly, we designed bespoke pieces, such as tables, sofas, and lamps, all beautifully crafted by Italian ateliers, who delivered them in record time.”
Built to accommodate twelve guests in six staterooms, MY ELA is not only luxurious inside but is an elegant fast-displacement design that allows shipyards to stay below the 500GT limit to avoid the additional certification required of larger superyachts.
Interior Skylounge concept by Cristiano Gatto. Credit: Heesen
Powered by two powerful MTU 12V 2000 diesel engines for a maximum speed of 19 knots, MY ELA is also the first Heesen to feature a peak-shaving battery system that offers a seamless storage of energy by allowing excess generator power to be stored when the yacht’s load fluctuates and used during peak periods when power demand exceeds generator output.
While primarily intended for family use, MY ELA will also be available for charter with Zarpo Yachts for select clients.
Render of Heesen’s 164ft fast-displacement hull Project Altea. Credit: Heesen