The 180m superyacht Project Azzam was launched officially by Lürssen in April 2013.

We can reveal that the exterior design of Project Azzam comes from the boards of Italian design house Nauta Yacht Design. Nauta’s Mario Pedol recently told us: ‘the 180 metre motor yacht recently revealed at Lürssen Shipyard is our exterior design, from the waterline to the top of the mast.’

She is significantly larger than the 162.5m Eclipse, which currently holds the title of the world’s largest yacht. Her four stern tunnels suggest she will be a fast yacht, with waterjets providing a top speed rumoured to be approaching 30 knots.

Project Azzam left her building shed in May 2012 and was transferred to the large floating dry-dock at Lürssen where she was fitted out. Lürssen surprised everyone with the speed at which Topaz was completed, and the yard seems to have excelled itself by getting Project Azzam ready for launch in 10 months.

Project Azzam will be delivered this summer.

• Builder: Lürssen
• Exterior Styling: Nauta Yacht Design

No further details are known about this recent contract for a three-masted sailing yacht in a German yard. This project will become the largest sailing yacht in the world with a length of 147 metres. Supposed to have a very modern design, this superyacht is scheduled to be launched in 2016.

Some five months after the contract was signed, the project to build the 141m Dream Symphony has been given the green light. On 9 February 2011, Dream Ship Victory, Dykstra & Partners Naval Architects and Ken Freivokh Design met at the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam to finalise the design and technical proposal under the direction of Valeriy Stepanenko.

Following this meeting, the project was approved. The keel laying took place at Dream Ship Victory’s facility in Turkey later in 2011. Her launch is scheduled for 2016.

• Builder: Dream Ship Victory
• Naval Architecture: Dykstra & Partners
• Exterior / Interior Design: Ken Freivokh Design

Launched in November 2011 from Abu Dhabi Mar, the 141 metre Yas, previously known under the project name Swift 141, will be delivered in 2013.

She is being built by Abu Dhabi MAR in a new facility in Abu Dhabi’s port area, using the steel hull from a Dutch-built navy frigate, which is being completely modified. New machinery, systems, outfit and luxury interior are being created and installed by sub-contractors to specifications by Abu Dhabi MAR. The superstructure, built in advanced composites and glass, and the interior styling are by Pierrejean Design Studio in Paris. Powered by twin MTU diesels, Yas will have a top speed of 26 knots.

• Builder: De Schelde (1977) / Abu Dhabi MAR (rebuild)
• Naval Architecture: Royal Dutch Navy
• Exterior / Interior Design: Pierrejean Design Studio

The project Victory (hull F.6218) is currently in construction at Fincantieri's Muggiano yard in North West Italy. This seven deck yacht is based on a design by Espen Oeino, with an interior by Alberto Pinto and Laura Sessa. It will include internal sea water dockage for a 14m tender and 6 pools of up to 8 meters in length. Her first steel plate was cut in September 2010.

• Builder: Fincantieri
• Exterior Styling: Espen Oeino
• Interior Design: Alberto Pinto / Laura Sessa

Privilege Two will be the second motor yacht of this Italian yard based in Civitavecchia. Few details are known for the moment excepting that the hull is already started.

• Builder: Privilege Yard
• Exterior Styling: Laraki Yacht Design

Like the Yas above, the Swift 135 is based on the hull of a Dutch navy frigate. Her conversion has started at Abu Dhabi MAR using advanced composites and glass. Pierrejean Design Studio also created her design. But the project is temporary stopped until the delivery of Yas.

• Builder: De Schelde / Abu Dhabi MAR (rebuild)
• Exterior / Interior Design: Pierrejean Design Studio

Announced under different project names and lengthes, this new 100m+ superyacht is already under construction in the shed where Azzam was built. We'll give you more details soon.

• Builder: Lürssen

Privilege One will be the first motor yacht of this Italian yard based in Civitavecchia.

Among other amenities the yacht features five swimming pools, a beauty parlour, cinema, two helicopter pads and a submarine that emerges from the side of the hull. A full deck is split between the owner’s suite and one of the VIPs.

• Builder: Privilege Yard
• Exterior Styling: Laraki Yacht Design

Previously known under the project name Kay, the AMG 120 was designed by Cor D Rover some years ago. The project started its life in Asia, and it is now under fitting out at Arista Marine Group in Croatia.

• Builder: Arista Marine Group
• Exterior Styling: Cor D Rover