Exclusive: 323m Espen Øino residential yacht Ulyssia to be built in China with 2031 delivery

Ulyssia Residences has confirmed that its 323-metre residential yacht project Ulyssia will be built by China Merchants Cruise Shipbuilding (CMCS), securing the vessel's construction contract and marking a significant step towards her planned 2031 maiden voyage.

The announcement represents a major development for the ambitious residential yacht concept, which previously identified German shipbuilder Meyer Werft as its intended construction partner when further details were unveiled at the 2025  Monaco Yacht Show. CMCS has previously delivered a number of expedition cruise vessels and was responsible for China's first domestically built polar expedition cruise ship.

Based in Monaco, Ulyssia Residences said the agreement marks a defining moment in the evolution of the project from concept to execution. The vessel order has been placed with CMCS, which will work alongside its subsidiary Deltamarin on the yacht's engineering, outfitting, onboard systems and overall build programme.

Designed by Espen Øino, Ulyssia has been conceived as a first-of-its-kind residential yacht, combining the scale of an ocean-going passenger vessel with the privacy and amenities associated with superyacht living. The project will comprise 122 private residences and 22 guest suites, alongside a comprehensive range of hospitality, wellness and exploration facilities.

According to the project team, the partnership with CMCS is also expected to support further development of battery and solar technologies as part of Ulyssia's long-term sustainability ambitions.

"This is without doubt one of the most important moments in Ulyssia's journey to date," said founder and chairman Frank Binder. "With CMCS, we have partners capable of matching the scale of our ambition while helping us realise Ulyssia with the precision, innovation and care such a vessel deserves."

Commenting on the vessel order, Øino said: "Ulyssia brings together the proportions and technical complexity of a large ocean-going vessel with the character, privacy and refinement of a yacht. To see the project enter the construction phase is a very meaningful moment." He continued: "An innovative builder such as CMCS offers the technical platform, production capability and ambition required to bring a concept of this scale to life, while preserving the design integrity and level of detail that define Ulyssia."

Chief executive Alain Gruber of Ulyssia Residences added that the agreement provides an opportunity to further enhance the project through innovation, technology and manufacturing expertise as it moves into the next phase of development.

The project's wider team remains unchanged, including Milan-based interior studio  FM Architettura, wellness partner Chenot, expedition specialist EYOS Expeditions, private aviation provider VistaJet and submersible manufacturer Triton Submarines.

The project was most recently showcased at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show, where Ulyssia Residences shared further details of the vessel's residential offering, amenities and global cruising programme. Amenities are set to include a yacht club and marina, dive centre, Chenot spa and medical facility, multiple restaurants and bars, sports courts, simulators, a theatre, library, art studio, two helicopters, luxury tenders and Triton submersibles.

At 323 metres, Ulyssia will rank among the largest privately owned vessels ever conceived. The project remains on course for a maiden voyage departing Monaco in 2031, with the team adding that the agreement reinforces its long-term construction and financial strategy while creating efficiencies throughout the build process.