Abeking & Rasmussen Yachts

Based in Lemwerder, German superyacht builder Abeking & Rasmussen have a reputation for building some of the world's most technically advanced yachts for discerning clients.

History of Abeking & Rasmussen

Abeking & Rasmussen was founded in 1907 by Henry Rasmussen and Georg Abeking, on the banks of the Weser River in Lemwerder. A renowned skipper, Rasmussen also proved to be a talented yacht designer and won respect in the racing community for his 12 Meter yachts. Under his guidance, the shipyard built a portfolio in the private and commercial sectors, producing wooden sailing and motor yachts as well as fast patrol boats and other specialized ships. Under the direction of Rasmussen’s grandson, Hermann Schaedla, who ran the yard for five decades beginning in 1959, Abeking & Rasmussen also established a reputation for technical innovation, pioneering the use of lighter materials for hull construction and developing better sound-dampening systems and the yachting division flourished. The yard built 99 Concordia sailing yachts and all are still sailing. Its last sailing yacht, 4K (formerly Alithea), was delivered in 2002.  With the motor yacht segment flourishing, he turned over the reins to his son, Hans in 2009, although continued to provide direction until his death in 2011.  

Notable Abeking & Rasmussen Superyachts

Abeking & Rasmussen has a long tradition for delivering special yachts, often ones that overcame technical engineering challenges. For example, Germania VI in 1963, the first sailing yacht with a welded aluminium hull and Kalamoun, in 1972 the world’s fastest motor yacht at 46 knots. No surprise then that A&R was able to follow this up with the luxury jetboat Silver Shalis in 1987.

In recent years, Abeking & Rasmussen has become known for its work in the design and construction SWATH (Small Waterplane Twin-Hull) ships. The shipyard even has utilised that technology for a custom superyacht project, the 40.5-metre SWATH Expedition Yacht Nurja( ex Silver Cloud), which launched in 2008. This fantastic yacht completed her circumnavigation with the owner aboard in 2015.

More conventional, but no less notable Abeking & Rasmussen superyachts include the 68-metre Aviva, 57.9-metre Lady Sheridan, the 60-metre Elandess, the 60-metre Arience (ex Excellence V) and the curvaceous Amaryllis, a 78-metre designed by Reymond Langton. In 2013, the shipyard delivered 82.48 metre Secret with exterior styling by Sam Sorgiovanni, Abeking & Rasmussen’s largest custom superyacht until the launch of its 98.4 flagship, Aviva, in 2017.

A pair of similar yachts designed inside and out by Terry Disdale, 81.8-metre Romea and her sister Grace (ex Kibo) delivered in 2015, cemented A&R’s entrance into the realm of very large yacht builders.

In 2016, A&R broke the mould with the launch of a new concept yacht named Cloudbreak. This 76-metre superyacht from the board of Espen Øino fit the marvels of an explorer in a superyacht profile and captured a Boat International Design & Innovation Award and a World Superyacht Award.

Aviva, delivered for repeat owner Joe Lewis, stunned the industry by incorporating the first ever indoor, two deck, regulation pickleball court. This yacht boasts an interior volume of 5,000GT. This yacht was followed by the also innovative 74.5m Elandess, which features a semi-submerged Neptune Lounge designed by Harrison & Eidsgaard Design, was awarded a record four prizes at the 2019 Boat International Design & Innovation Awards plus a Worlds Superyacht Award.  In 2019, A&R gained attention for the stunning new Excellence, this time a 79.9m for serial client Herb Chambers. Excellence also swept prize tables with her unique exterior by Winch Design. This was followed by a 68m yacht named Soaring featuring unique exterior styling by the German studio Flying Focus. 

Specialisation

The Abeking & Rasmussen shipbuilding complex encompasses five halls capable of housing ships up to 125 metres in length. The shipyard prides itself on the environmentally friendly workshops where it fabricates its own steel and aluminium components. Specialities include custom superyacht construction; shipbuilding for governments, coast guards and navies. Refit and service work is carried out by the A&R Services Division. This company was formed from Ocean Logistics GmbH, which was founded in 2000, and changed its name to A&R Services in 2014