Yacht refit has been a core part of Lürssen’s business since its founding in 1875. With the acquisition of the Blohm+Voss shipyard in 2016, the German builder now operates one of northern Europe’s largest and most successful refit operations. Today, Lürssen Werft Hamburg combines its expertise and innovation to deliver everything from routine maintenance to award-winning transformations.
"A refit is not just about necessary maintenance; it can also completely transform a yacht,” says Alberto Perrone Da Zara, sales director at Lürssen Yacht Refit. “We enjoy complex rebuilds and refits. We like it when owners come to us with problems to solve, and we aim to take on projects that other yards avoid.”
Lürssen’s main refit hub in Hamburg spans more than 450,000 square metres and includes six floating docks (two of them covered), a dry dock and more than 2,000 metres of pier. It is a state-of-the-art, multi-award-winning facility – one of the largest yacht refit operations in the world.
Since establishing the dedicated hub in 2016, Lürssen has welcomed more than 80 yachts for extensive work. Many clients return time after time, a testament to the shipyard’s standards and results. While specialising in yachts 60 metres and larger, the company has also undertaken smaller projects on occasion. A case in point is the 25.6-metre Spirit of Ginette, which required emergency work and a rapid turnaround. Lürssen responded quickly, and within weeks, the yacht was repaired and back in operation.
"We handle the complicated jobs, the big jobs, which end up becoming, by their nature, only the large jobs,” Perrone Da Zara says. But even if Lürssen cannot perform the refit work, it is willing to help find a yard that can or assist in quickly sourcing spare parts through their excellent supplier relationships. “In that sense, there is not a shipyard in the world like us,” Perrone Da Zara says.
Few shipyards can match Lürssen in handling high-profile projects. Among them are two of the world’s largest sailing yachts and numerous record-breaking motor yachts. Notable refits include the 97-metre Carinthia VII, which underwent an award-winning transformation, and the 110.1-metre Kaos, which Lürssen refitted in Germany and continues to service worldwide. This global support ensures Kaos maintains her itinerary without interruption.
In the past 12 months alone, Lürssen has refitted more than 20 yachts over 70 metres long, with a combined LOA exceeding 1,750 metres. These projects range from emergency repairs to extensive rebuilds, reinforcing the company’s reputation as a leader in complex yacht refits.
An award-winning conversion: 97m Carinthia VII
The contract, completed in just 44 days, involved a complex commercial conversion within a short timeframe and presented significant technical challenges, including the installationof a watertight bulkhead. Despite these demands, the project was successfully delivered on time and went on to win awards.
“We did something we had never done before,” Perrone Da Zara says, explaining that Lürssen performed “very profound, radical changes” on board, including inserting a watertight bulkhead partition in the interior, from bottom to top.
"When a yacht is new, when it’s empty, it is indeed simple to put a wall through. When a yacht is finished, it’s very difficult to start closing [it up] and hiding it cosmetically. It’s a real success story, but it was unbelievably challenging.”
Lürssen’s refit services extend well beyond Germany. Dedicated teams provide global and localised support, ready to address technical challenges wherever yachts are located. The Fast Operations and Response Unit (FORU) is dispatched almost every week for urgent calls. Available 24/7, including public holidays, FORU ensures yachts stay operational with minimal downtime.
In Germany, clients benefit from in-house port agency and shoreside support services designed to simplify and manage the logistics of any refit. These include port management, VAT consultancy, customs and immigration support, visa applications, temporary residency arrangements and crew accommodations, all in advance of arrival.
Refits also offer opportunities to improve a vessel’s efficiency and reduce its environmental impact. For owners looking to reduce their yacht’s carbon footprint, a refit can help achieve this goal.
The shipyard continually invests in and drives research to develop sustainable options for both new builds and refits. Solutions range from simple upgrades, such as switching to LED lighting or adding motion sensors, to complex systems like heat recovery units that utilise generator energy to warm pools, or foil-coated windows that insulate against heat and reduce air-conditioning demands. Each modification helps lower emissions and energy consumption, allowing yachts to enjoy these modern luxuries more sustainably. These practices not only future-proof existing yachts but also support Lürssen’s broader dedication to research and innovation.
With three locations in northern Germany, multiple covered sheds and dry docks and a workforce of 2,000 – including more than 450 engineers and naval architects – Lürssen offers unmatched resources for every project. New builds and refits are performed side by side, using the same skilled workforce, machinery and expertise.
"We know it is unusual for a large yacht builder also to dedicate itself to refit operations, but it is a major advantage for our clients,” says Perrone Da Zara. “Our workforce is experienced in extremely complex and time-consuming builds, so we are prepared to overcome any surprises. Our time management is world-renowned, and our workforce excels at finding the right solutions, which is crucial when addressing the unknowns inherent in refits.”
Lürssen Werft Hamburg supports yachts throughout their lifecycle, from preventive maintenance, repairs and technical upgrades to refits and complete rebuilds, offering quick and responsive service worldwide. Its facilities, team and global network ensure that no project is too complex and no challenge too difficult.
To find out more information, visit Lürssen.
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