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The biggest yachting news stories of June 2026

30 June 2026 • Written by Emily Dawkins

In June, there were deliveries aplenty across the industry, from a speedy 24-metre cruiser to a mammoth 109-metre explorer. Taking the top spot this month, however, was a different type of new build, as BOAT got the exclusive scoop that the 323-metre residential yacht project, Ulyssia, had secured her construction contract.

Other breaking yacht news in June included some major unveilings, including Heesen's largest Steel project to date, which will enter construction later this year, and a first sighting of a new 80-metre-plus support vessel, fresh from a major conversion. Elsewhere, CRN’s latest custom superyacht made a splash, while a new BBC documentary shed light on the Bayesian tragedy almost two years on.

BOAT crunches the numbers and brings you the stories that generated the most clicks in June 2026...

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

Ulyssia Residences confirmed that its 323-metre residential yacht project, Ulyssia, will be built by China Merchants Cruise Shipbuilding (CMCS), securing the vessel's construction contract.

The announcement marked a major development for the ambitious residential yacht concept, which previously identified German shipbuilder Meyer Werft as its intended construction partner when new details were unveiled at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show. Her maiden voyage is anticipated in 2031.

2. 109m Lürssen superyacht O3 delivered to owner

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Credit: Tom Van Oossanen

The 109-metre Lürssen superyacht O3 departed the yard's facilities in Hamburg, Germany, at the beginning of the month. According to BOATPro, she stopped briefly in Kristiansand, Norway, on 6 June – a frequent location for refuelling after delivery from Lürssen – before cruising the coast of Denmark on her maiden voyage.

O3 was originally sold in March 2018 by Moran Yacht & Ship (then known as Project Icecap), though she was reported to have been sold again during construction in 2022, after which a series of design modifications took place.

3. "Dolphin blue" Amels 80 superyacht Netto II delivered

Dutch shipyard Damen Yachting announced the delivery of its second Amels 80 superyacht, Netto II. According to BOATPro, the 79.8-metre new build departed the yard's Vlissingen sheds on 13 June, making her maiden voyage to Poole, UK.

Construction on the second hull from the flagship Amels Limited Editions line began on speculation, with the yacht sold to a buyer – described as an "experienced owner with a clear vision for active use at sea"– in December 2022, months after the model's unveiling.

4. AvA Yachts launches first 26m Kando 85 explorer model V

Credit: Smart Yachts

Turkish shipyard AvA Yachts launched the first unit from its Kando 85 explorer yacht series at its facilities in the Antalya Free Zone.

The 25.7-metre new build, christened V, is scheduled for delivery to her owners this summer, after which she will make her debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival and the Monaco Yacht Show in September. The keel of the first Kando 85 was laid in March 2024 under speculation, with her sale announced early last year.

5. Lagaria unveils 90m superyacht concept with vast open terrace amidships

Young Monaco-based design studio Lagaria unveiled a new 90-metre superyacht concept known as Platea.

According to studio founders Magnus Naglestad and Adeline Lagaria, the motor yacht has been developed around a conviction that the best experience on board happens outside. As such, Platea showcases an unusual inverted layout, prioritising exterior deck areas over "filling her hull with enclosed volume".

6. Project Ananda: Heesen unveils largest Steel superyacht to date

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Dutch shipyard Heesen Yachts unveiled the 72.3-metre Project Ananda: its largest Steel superyacht to date.

Developed in collaboration with Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, the yacht joins the yard's on-spec approach to construction and is said to represent the inaugural build under Heesen's new strategic direction, following its acquisition by Laurens Last last year. According to the yard, construction will begin in November 2026, with her launch and delivery anticipated for 2030.

7. BBC documentary revisits sinking of 56m superyacht Bayesian as investigations continue

56m perini navi sailing yacht BAYESIAN yacht sinks off coast of sicily

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Credit: Michael Kurtz

A new BBC documentary examining the sinking of the 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian aired on 22 June on BBC Two, as part of the broadcaster's Why...? documentary strand.

Titled Millionaire Superyacht: Why Ships Sink, the programme revisits the events of 19 August 2024, when Bayesian sank off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah Lynch.

8. CRN launches 70m full-custom yacht Project Thunderball

Italian shipyard CRN launched its latest full-custom superyacht, the 70-metre Project Thunderball, at Ferretti Group's Ancona shipyard.

The 1,100GT, steel and aluminium superyacht is the result of a collaboration between Dutch studio Vripack and Italian design firm Nauta. She has been described as one of the team’s most demanding collaborations, designed to fulfil an exacting owner's brief for a highly technical and capable yacht that avoids the "floating palace" look and feel. Delivery is scheduled for this summer.

9. 80m+ yacht support vessel U-81 emerges from extensive conversion

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Credit: Lichting98.nl

An 80-metre-plus yacht support vessel named U-81 was sighted for the first time in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, following an extensive conversion at the Zwijnenburg Yachting shipyard in Capelle aan den IJssel.

The newly unveiled yacht support was once a 76.6-metre offshore supply vessel named FS Cygnus, delivered in 2014 by Norwegian shipyard Simek. Though details and dates remain undisclosed, it is believed that she was purchased by a private owner in March, who sought to convert the industrial vessel into a capable yacht support.

10. Third unit in flagship Zeelander 8 yacht series delivered with top speeds of 40 knots

The third unit from Dutch shipyard Zeelander Yachts' flagship model, the 24-metre Cor D. Rover-designed Zeelander 8, departed the yard's sheds in Groot-Ammers for delivery to her owner at the end of the month. She is scheduled to make her world debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September.

The motor yacht follows the second unit, Mojo, which was delivered earlier this year, following the first, Silver Dawn. However, according to the builder, she is the "most powerful Zeelander 8 built to date", delivering a top speed of 40 knots during sea trials - a first for the model.