Rossinavi’s Polaris Ice-Class Superyacht Is Their Largest Yet

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.