courtesy of Edmiston

The top yachting business headlines of 2025

17 December 2025 • by Gemma Harris

This year brought a multitude of changes and developments across the superyacht industry, including high-profile acquisitions and leadership shifts, landmark legal outcomes and new infrastructure projects. Looking back at the past year, BOATPro crunches the numbers and revisits the most widely read business stories that defined the yachting landscape in 2025.

1. Oceanco acquired by video game developer Gabe Newell

Dutch superyacht builder Oceanco was acquired during the summer by American videogame developer and businessman Gabe Newell, widely known as “GabeN". The yard was led by the Barwani family for the past 15 years, during which it delivered a series of high-profile superyachts. According to Oceanco, Newell intends for the yard to continue its focus on excellence in yacht building, emphasising its “people-first” approach. At the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show, Newell further outlined his vision that focused on collaboration, quality and long-term value.

2. Andrea Frabetti resigns as CEO of Sunseeker

British boatbuilder Sunseeker confirmed in early December that Andrea Frabetti had stepped down as chief executive officer and board director, following earlier rumours of a leadership change in November. Frabetti joined the brand in 2018 as chief technical officer and was appointed CEO in July 2019. The decision to step down was mutual, coinciding with a new phase of growth supported by recent investment from Cheyne Capital and Cross Ocean Partners. A formal search for his successor is underway, with Scott Millar serving as interim CEO.

3. 106m seized superyacht Amadea sold at auction

The 106.1-metre Lürssen Amadea was sold at auction following a foreclosure ordered by the US District Court in New York. The sealed-bid sale, conducted in collaboration with National Maritime Services and Fraser, did not disclose the buyer or final price. The yacht had been at the centre of a protracted legal case since 2022, when US authorities seized it following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The yacht's ownership is also being contested by Eduard Khudainatov, the former CEO of a Russian state-owned oil conglomerate Rosneft.

4. Bali Gapura Marina unveiled as Indonesia’s first international full-service marina

A new marina project developed by PT Marina Development Indonesia (MDI) and Indonesian-owned port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) broke ground in May. With construction underway, the Bali Gapura Marina in Benoa is set to be Indonesia’s first international full-service marina with a projected opening date of Q3 2026. Offering 180 berths and facilities for up to 50 superyachts of up to 90 metres, the development will cover 33,00 square metres. Named “Gapura", translating to "gateway" in Balinese, the marina aims to serve as a key entry point for superyachts and test the country’s potential in the global superyacht market.

5. Appeal for 58m detained superyacht Phi dismissed by UK Supreme Court

The UK Supreme Court rejected an appeal this summer seeking to lift the detention of the 58-metre Royal Huisman yacht Phi. The yacht has been held under sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since 2022, she has been detained in Canary Wharf, London, and faced ongoing issues of deterioration, lapsed insurance and trespassing. Legal arguments framed the detention as a restriction of use rather than a denial of property rights. Captain Guy Booth "anticipated" the outcome and continues to contest the decision, now seeking redress at the European Court of Human Rights. The UK Court of Appeal had previously dismissed the appeal against detention in March 2024.

6. Tributes paid to Azimut|Benetti president Paolo Vitelli

At the beginning of the year, the yachting world remembered Paolo Vitelli, president of Azimut|Benetti, who died in December 2024 at the age of 77. Vitelli founded Azimut as a boat rental company at the age of 21 before moving into boatbuilding. He acquired Benetti in 1985, expanding the business into an iconic global brand with six construction sites across Italy and Brazil. The industry-wide tributes widely recognised him as an inspiring mentor and titan of yacht design, leaving a lasting legacy that has shaped the industry.

7. Lürssen moves to acquire Nobiskrug amid insolvency

German shipyard Lürssen moved to acquire Nobiskrug at the start of the year amid the latter’s insolvency proceedings. Previously part of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), Nobiskrug is reportedly being integrated into the neighbouring Lürssen-Kröger shipyard in Rendsburg, with facilities and land transferred as part of the acquisition. Provisional insolvency administrators Hendrik Gitterman and Christoph Morgen confirmed the arrangement, including support for employees during the transition.

8. Theodoros Fotiadis launches German yard Astra Nord for 65m+ superyachts

Greek designer Theodoros Fotiadis launched Astra Nord, a new German shipyard dedicated to superyacht projects of 65 metres and above. According to Fotiadis, the yard will “cover the market gap Nobiskrug left behind". Having already taken on its first refit customers, the 47.2-metre Ocean Dreamwalker III, it is also in the process of developing a series of new builds (ranging from 65 to 95 metres), including the 78-metre Neon. Astra Nord distinguishes itself by its after-sales service, addressing a perceived gap in the German superyacht market.

9. Burgess receives strategic investment from Ancient

Burgess, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in March 2025, received investment from the New York-based private equity firm Ancient, marking the brokerage's first external investment. The investment is said to strengthen Burgess's market position and expand Ancient's portfolio. Burgess leadership cited the deal as a way to accelerate its growth through additional "resources, talent and technology", while supporting evolving client needs. Ancient's holdings also include Sotheby's and Solarious Aviation.

10. Heesen Yachts acquired by Dutch entrepreneur Laurens Last

In April 2025, Dutch entrepreneur and packaging mogul Laurens Last acquired Dutch builder Heesen Yachts, securing the yard’s financial foundation and supporting its strategic growth in international markets. The deal was completed within six weeks and followed a record-breaking financial performance for the yard in 2024. Heesen described Last as a “perfect fit” whose passion for yachting is expected to drive the company into an “exciting future".