Italian yard Azimut-Benetti has announced that it has won a contract to build a 35 metre conference boat for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
This custom-built vessel will be developed in collaboration with Verme Yacht Design to host official presentations and conferences. A December 2018 delivery date has been agreed upon.
Vincenzo Poerio, CEO of Benetti, said: “The customer was extremely selective in both the pre-selection and award stages. The fact that we have beaten the major shipyards we were competing against is a further demonstration of our organisational reliability, financial soundness, construction experience and technological innovation capabilities, of which I cannot help but be very proud.”
No design renderings have been released as yet, but the yard revealed that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s brief called for a tri-deck motoryacht that could reach a maximum speed of 25 knots.
A water-jet propulsion system and a maximum draught of less than 1.25 metres has been stipulated, so that the boat can safely navigate Tokyo Bay. What’s more, the interior will be built around a large conference area, with seating for up to 35 guests, an interpreter booth and Japanese-style reception room.
The final requirement was a maximum air draught of 11 metres, which Azimut-Benetti met with a custom-designed retractable aerial.
Other custom projects currently under development at the Italian yard include the 107 metre BF277, which is due to be launched in 2019.