Italian shipyard Maiora, a brand of NEXT Yacht Group, has taken the opportunity of the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival to unveil two new models in its superyacht portfolio.
During a press conference held on board the yard's latest Exuma 36 build, the shipyard unveiled the new Supernova 50 and the new flagship offering in its existing M collection, the 53-metre M|53.
According to Giorgio Mattei, deputy chairman of Next Yacht Group, construction on the first Supernova 50 is already underway in Pisa, with a slated launch date of H2 2028. The 50-metre yacht will be the first from the yard to be constructed in steel and aluminium, marking the Group's official entry into the segment, following its recent acquisition of specialist metal fabrication company SIMAN. Mattei said: "These models are proof that Maiora has entered a new phase of development."
Supernova 50
Designed in collaboration with Tommaso Spadolini (exteriors) and Elie Saab Jr of fashion house Elie Saab, the 49.8-metre Supernova 50 has been conceived as a "new chapter" in Maiora's approach to life on board.
The yacht stretches across five decks, with a focus on creating generous outdoor areas and a strong connection between interior and exterior spaces. The interiors have been developed under the creative direction of Elie Saab Jr and Carlo Colombo, combining pieces from the Elie Saab Maison collection with bespoke elements created for the yacht.
Saab Jr said at the conference the yacht's aesthetic was in line with their house identity and the idea was for it to feel less like a palace, instead respecting the space; the Elie Saab visual codes are reflected in the neutral tones, bronze accents and use of teak.
The six-cabin layout places the owner's suite on a dedicated owner's deck, with five guest cabins below. Two of the guest cabins are described as suites, including one measuring approximately 30 square metres and opening onto a private terrace of around seven square metres.
The owner's deck is designed as a private retreat, with 90 square metres of combined interior and exterior space, including a forward terrace and panoramic 180-degree views.
At the stern, the beach area incorporates a swimming pool, lounge and fold-down wings, with space for a large tender integrated into the layout. Outdoor areas are distributed across all five decks, while the wheelhouse and captain's cabin are positioned on the sundeck to maximise visibility underway.
Built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, Supernova 50 measures 499GT and has a 2.4-metre draft. Twin MAN engines will give a top speed of 16 knots and a range of 4,150 nautical miles at 11 knots. The yacht will accommodate 12 guests in six cabins, with nine crew.
This marks the second time the fashion designer has collaborated with Next Yacht Group, last seen on the Maiora 42 Exuma which is currently in build.
Read More/Interview: Fashion designer Elie Saab Jr and Giorgio Mattei on their "unconventional" collaborationM|53
Maiora also used the show to introduce the M|53, a 53-metre steel and aluminium flagship designed by Luca Dini and with naval architecture from NAMES Studio. Like Supernova 50, the new model has a gross tonnage of 499GT and represents Maiora's expansion into the larger displacement yacht market.
While Supernova 50 places an emphasis on long-range cruising and hospitality, M|53 has been conceived around wellbeing and the quality of time spent on board.
M|53 will accommodate 12 guests across six cabins, with space for nine crew. Its most distinctive feature is the owner's suite, which occupies more than 100 square metres of interior and exterior space on the main deck, spanning a master cabin, private study, dressing room, dedicated bathrooms, wellness area and a forward terrace with a swimming pool.
At the stern, a second swimming pool forms the centrepiece of the beach area, alongside a lounge, bar and relaxation spaces. Rather than relying on a single main saloon, the yacht is organised around a sequence of distinct spaces intended for different activities, from socialising and working to exercising or simply taking in the surroundings.
The highest point of the yacht is dedicated to an observatory deck, which is designed as a private space for enjoying views of the sea. Movable covers allow the area to be used throughout the year.
The yacht's 9.2-metre beam and 2.4-metre draft have been paired with a range of more than 4,500 nautical miles at 10 knots. Twin MAN engines give a top speed of 16.5 knots.
Both projects form part of Maiora's broader move into steel and aluminium construction, expanding the brand beyond its established composite yacht portfolio and into the sub-500GT displacement market.
According to BOATPro, Maiora has five yachts under construction, including the first hull from its Maiora 42 Exuma yacht series.
Read More/First Maiora 42 Exuma moves to outfitting in Viareggio, Italy