The late Singaporean billionaire and yacht owner Goh Cheng Liang has been posthumously awarded the prestigious Legacy Award at the World Superyacht Awards, held in Venice on 1–2 May 2026. The accolade recognises his transformative influence on yacht design and his role in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the superyacht sector.
Founder of Wuthelam Holdings, Goh’s life story is one of remarkable perseverance and vision. Born in 1927, he rose from humble beginnings, growing up in poverty and first encountering the maritime world through selling fishing nets. In the aftermath of the Second World War, he began trading surplus paint acquired from the British Army before establishing his own paint shop in 1955. That modest venture would ultimately evolve into a vast business empire, with his net worth estimated at $12.7 billion.
While his business success was formidable, it is Goh’s impact on the world of yachting that earned him industry-wide recognition. His journey as an owner began with the first yacht in a long line to bear the name White Rabbit - a 38.1-metre vessel built by Feadship for long-range cruising and Pacific exploration. Now known as Halcyon, the yacht set the tone for Goh’s forward-thinking approach.
He followed this in 1995 with a 49.4-metre White Rabbit, notable for its innovative aft peak that could be transformed into a fishing, diving and swimming platform - an early signal of his desire to prioritise functionality alongside design. Though both yachts have since undergone refits and changed ownership, their original concepts reflected a mindset that would come to define his legacy.
Goh’s most significant contribution to yacht design came through his early and unwavering belief in multihull vessels. At a time when such configurations were virtually unheard of in the superyacht space, he commissioned a 36-metre power catamaran, White Rabbit, in 2001, followed by a groundbreaking 61.4-metre trimaran in 2005, designed by Sam Sorgiovanni. These yachts delivered enhanced stability, efficiency and onboard space, challenging traditional monohull conventions and influencing a new wave of design thinking.
His collaboration with Echo Yachts further cemented his status as an innovator. Among the standout projects was Charley, a 51-metre catamaran support vessel equipped with tenders, a helipad and an extensive collection of water toys - an embodiment of Goh’s practical yet adventurous vision for life at sea.
This philosophy reached its peak with the delivery of the 84-metre trimaran White Rabbit in 2025, the largest and most technologically advanced trimaran ever built. The programme also included Charley 2, a 56-metre support vessel delivered in 2023, and the ongoing construction of Charley 3, a 57-metre sailing catamaran scheduled for completion in 2027/28.
More than symbols of luxury, Goh’s yachts were conceived as platforms for exploration and innovation. His willingness to embrace unconventional ideas and invest in untested concepts helped redefine the possibilities of modern yacht design, positioning him as one of the industry’s most influential owners.
Goh Cheng Liang passed away on 12 August 2025 at the age of 98. Yet his legacy continues to resonate across the superyacht world, inspiring designers, shipyards and owners to think beyond established norms. The Legacy Award at this year’s World Superyacht Awards serves as a fitting tribute to a man whose vision reshaped the future of yachting.
Following three remarkable years in Venice, the World Superyacht Awards will return to a new destination in 2027. Nominations for the 2027 awards are now open. If you have any questions, please contact the events team.
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