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The biggest superyacht launches from every country in 2023

27 November 2023 • Written by Dea Jusufi

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Year after year, shipyards strive to outdo themselves with bigger (and better) builds. And with over 370 new superyacht splashes recorded in 2023, the industry has had plenty to talk about. BOAT takes a look at each country's most impressive contribution to the international fleet, starting off strong with Germany...

Germany

Project Ali Baba

Builder: Lürssen
Length: 142m

Project Ali Baba is this year's biggest launch and the seventh-largest project to have emerged from Lürssen's shed – the largest, of course, being the 180.6-metre Azzam (which remains the largest yacht in the world). Last seen in two halves in May 2022, she remains relatively elusive. The first images of the four-deck superyacht showcase a grey profile with an elongated bow, bold exterior lines and two helipads. She has stylistic similarities to the 85.2-metre Lürssen yacht Pacific which features an exterior by German Frers.

The Netherlands

Ulysses

Builder: Feadship
Length: 103m

Owned by billionaire and serial yacht owner Graeme Hart, Ulysses was another yacht kept hush-hush throughout the year. She was recently spotted on transport from Feadship's Makkum site, marking the first time the yacht's distinctive clean lines and squared-off deck design had been seen since she hit the water in October. Key features include a 15-metre-long tender garage – the largest shell door that Feadship has ever built – four exterior hot tubs and a swimming pool that covers the entire height of the main deck. Damen Yachting's U-81 will be serving as her support vessel.

Italy

N Joy

Builder: CRN
Length: 72m

Little has been revealed regarding N Joy, with only two photos circulating since the six-deck superyacht was sighted on the slipway in March. Able to sleep 12 guests and 19 crew, her contemporary exteriors have been attributed to Vallicelli Yacht Design while interiors are owed to Nuvolari Lenard.

Turkey

Infinite Jest

Builder: Turquoise Yachts
Length: 75m

This sporty, sloping number is also owed to Vallicelli Yacht Design, the second-largest launch attached to the designer after Italy's entry. Infinite Jest's launch also marks the shipyard's first collaboration with Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, who handled her (undisclosed) interiors. Onboard highlights include a full-beam beach club spanning 14.2 metres, with shell doors on either side offering greater access to the water. Elsewhere, a central tender garage houses a 10.2-metre limousine tender, two additional tenders and multiple jet skis.

Spain

Renaissance

Builder: Freire
Length: 112m

Renaissance collected quite a few accolades when she hit the water in March. She's the largest yacht built in Spain, one of the world's most expensive yachts for charter and one of the largest projects designed by esteemed British studio Bannenberg & Rowell – second only to 138-metre Rising Sun. Designed to "blur the lines" between expedition vessels and luxury yachts, her spa complex has been described as a "revelation" by charter firm Burgess, with a sizeable gym equipment list "that would amaze an elite athlete".

Greece

O’Rea

Builder: Golden Yachts
Length: 77.7m

O’Rea's modern profile, plumb bow and trapezium-shaped windows mark her as an evolution of predecessors O’Pari and O’Ptasia. Her interior is equally avant-garde, hosting a contemporary art collection and more than 250 finishes, including polished marble and precious stones. O'Rea is available for charter with Atalanta Golden Yachts, with the firm reporting an already booked-up summer season before she had even been delivered.

Australia

Charley 2

Builder: Echo Yachts
Length: 56m

Measuring five metres longer than predecessor Charley, Charley 2 hit the water in August and swiftly claimed the title of Australia's largest catamaran. She's also a born explorer with her helicopter touch-and-go pad (suitable for an Airbus EC130 helicopter), dive store and a decompression chamber. Her 12-metre, custom tender is equipped with specialist sonar equipment for discovering wreckage and dive spots.

Canada

Danzante Bay

Builder: Crescent Custom Yachts
Length: 50m

Danzante Bay made a pretty big splash in June as the country's newest (and largest) superyacht. Commissioned by an American owner, she was named after his Mexican resort and golf course – with little else known about the project. Construction on this Canadian giant began in 2019 and this year marks the first new launch by Crescent Custom Yachts since Crescent Lady in February 2020.

Finland

Fancy

Builder: Nautor Swan
Length: 35m

The suitably named Fancy was launched as the first in a new generation of Swan Maxis. Nautor Group CEO Giovanni Pomati compared construction to "drawing a beautiful painting" – with an evolved design that involved widened coamings for ease of steering and a dual-acting transom door that, when open, transforms the aft deck into a generous beach club.

South Africa

Gelliceaux

Builder: Southern Wind
Length: 35.5m

Playfully called both "beauty" and "beast", the high-performing Gelliceaux was launched in August as Southern Wind's first hybrid yacht. Her low-slung profile is the work of Nauta Design, with a slightly sportier look that distinguishes her from previous builds. Notable elements include the coach roof’s spacious central skylight and a BAE HybriGen propulsion system that could "virtually extend her range indefinitely".

United Kingdom

Adella

Builder: Sunseeker
Length: 35m

Sunseeker secured the UK's top spot with the launch of its Sunseeker 116 Adella. Everything from naval architecture to her glossy, blue-and-yellow décor was designed in-house. Onboard indulgencies include a walk-in marble shower, al fresco bar and a Jacuzzi in the bow flanked by fixed sunbathing spots.

France

Araok II

Builder: OCEA Yachts
Length: 32.7m

Eco-friendly and economical (able to travel 4,000 nautical miles at 10 knots), the owner of Araok II had one thing in mind when he briefed this vessel. He wanted a yacht that could travel freely through emission control areas, including (but not limited to) the North American coasts, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. She's also equipped with "the latest generation of batteries" for flexible nighttime cruising.

United States

Westport 135

Builder: Westport
Length: 41.2m

Originally the ninth hull in the W25 series, this yacht was rebranded as the first W135 (and clinched this entry) when she was launched three metres longer than her sisterships. She's designed inside and out by the US shipyard and is also one of its most popular models, second only to the flagship W164.

Taiwan

Vin Xan

Builder: Horizon
Length: 38m

The largest Horizon to be sold in Australia, Vin Xan was commissioned and customised by a serial Horizon owner. Personal touches include Swarovski crystal lighting, a bespoke ebony dining table, a drum winch for reef anchoring and custom storage for the owner's fishing and diving equipment (found in the beach club). She is the latest model in the shipyard's 11-strong RP110 series.

Poland

Sunreef 80 Eco

Builder: Sunreef Yachts
Length: 24.4m

Poland's largest launch packs a (compact) punch – integrated with solar panels in the hull sides, superstructure and Bimini roof, she can harness solar-electric power for fuel-free cruising. Spanning across an 11.5-metre beam, the main deck saloon comprises lounging and dining areas as well as a concealed television, bar and piano for entertaining. Meanwhile, the flybridge hosts additional lounging areas, a Jacuzzi, sunpads and a wet bar.