Top 10 Luxury Yacht Builders In The World

Luxury yacht builders combine high performance with opulence and comfort, something only a few can achieve, not to mention the personal touch that aligns with the client’s vision.

The demand for luxury yachts has increased, with the Luxury Yacht Market valued at U.S dollars 9.43 billion in 2024. It is estimated to reach U.S. dollars 14.07 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% in this period.

Several factors are responsible for this increase in demand. After the COVID-19 pandemic, buyers sought a different travel experience, coupled with solitude and social distancing which led to a surge in demand for superyachts.

Luxury Yacht builders have levelled up their game to stand out from their competitors. Right from carving unique and functional designs, using light but sturdy materials and smart onboard energy systems to marine conservation funding, builders are adopting different approaches to deliver eco-friendly yachts.

Let us look at the top 10 Luxury Yacht Builders in this article.

1. Fincantieri, Italy

One of the world’s biggest shipbuilding companies, Fincantieri has a history spanning over 230 years in which it constructed more than 7000 ships. It has 18 shipyards in 4 continents, 2 design centres and a research centre.

Based in Italy, the company has 10,000 employees and manufactures cruise ships, ferries, naval ships, mega yachts, and offshore vessels and also undertakes repairs and maintenance.

The mega yachts are designed and built in the Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia. The yard can construct ships over 70 m long to 200 m and has a network of suppliers who can meet the specific requirements of the clients. Another shipyard, the Arsenale Triestino San Marco (Trieste), focuses on repairs and conversions.

The builder has an array of projects including the 70 m luxury motor yacht, the Blanche. Fincantieri is also behind the world’s biggest and finest yachts including the MY Serene and MY Ocean Victory. These custom mega yachts are one of the largest yachts ever built.

2. Lürssen, Germany

Lurrsen is one of the leading shipyards for luxury yacht building, focussing on custom-built superyachts. Based in Germany, it has built over 13,000 ships since 1875. It is a family-owned business which has been in operation for four centuries.

The company is credited with building the world’s first motor yacht in 1886 and also the world’s current biggest superyacht, the Azzam which is 180 m long.

It has 8 shipyards in the northern part of Germany, each specialising in a specific size of yacht ranging from 60 m to 200 m in length. These facilities provide a combined space of 1,125,000 square metres for new builds, refits, repairs and maintenance.

The company also strives to reduce the environmental impact of its yachts. For instance, Lurssen is the first yacht builder to utilize waste engine heat to operate a vessel’s onboard desalination system for drinking water.

It is also a contributor to the marine biodiversity conservation organization, the Blue Marine Foundation.

3. Feadship, the Netherlands

Recognised as one of the few builders specialising in pure custom luxury yachts, Feadship has built superyachts including the 92 m Aquarius and the Symphony, the longest yacht built in the Netherlands at the time of its completion in 2015.

Feadship has worked with owners of superyachts since the 19th century to create unique and one-of-a-kind yachts, tailor-made for the buyer.

It has 4 shipyards in the Netherlands and to date, 250 of its yachts are in operation. The company was founded in 1949, though it traces its roots back to another century.

The company promises to deliver the most technically advanced yachts in the world, including Project 817 which has been delivered as Viva.

The yacht is eco-friendly and boasts an advanced hybrid propulsion system, allowing it to sail at 12 knots on diesel-electric power. It has a smart hull which reduces the energy needed to travel in the water.

4. Benetti, Italy

This Italian Shipbuilding company owned by Azimut Benetti S.p.A is known for designing and building motor yachts and is one of the finest builders of custom superyachts. It was founded in 1873 and is based in Viareggio.

It has an annual production capacity of 100 units and is most popular for constructing Sir Philip Green’s 90 m Lionheart in 2016.

However, 2019 was the company’s year when it delivered the first 107 m superyacht Lana, followed by Luminosity and IJE.

Much has changed in the company’s long history of building yachts, its focus on creating yachts which meet the highest standards has not, cementing its position as one of the best luxury yacht builders in the world.

Concerns over the environmental impact of yachts have grown, and Benetti has also taken these into consideration when designing its models.

For instance, when Luminosity was delivered in 2019, she was seen as one of the greenest superyachts given its diesel-electric hybrid power and a powerful battery providing up to 12 silent and emission-free hours at anchor.

5. Nobiskrug, Germany

This German builder specialises in wholly custom, steel-hulled luxury superyachts with a length of 60 to more than 200 metres. It uses the finest German craftsmanship coupled with the most advanced technologies.

The company was founded in 1905 and by the start of the First World War, it had built 70 ships, mainly lighters, barges and pontoons. During the war, it built auxiliary vessels and launched two steamboats for German owners in 1917, expanding into different segments slowly.

In 2020, Nobiskrug completed 115 years of its operations, however, it wasn’t until 2000 that the shipyard launched its first superyacht project, the 92-metre Tatoosh which was one of the largest in the world during that time. Since then, the company has delivered several superyachts.

It has 2 facilities in Northern Germany which have 1000 employees. The company is also known for constructing one of the most talked about vessels in the industry, the 142 m Sailing Yacht A.

6. Amels Yachts, Netherlands

Situated in Vlissingen, this company operates the biggest superyacht board in the Netherlands. It has been in operation for more than 100 years and constructs fully customised yachts as well as limited editions, with an LOA ranging from 55 m to 83 metres.

Amels is said to deliver their projects before time, sometimes taking just half the time expected for a project.

Around 100 Amels superyachts are sailing the global waters. Their recent Limited Edition Yacht, the Amels 80 is called the future of luxury yachting. Introduced in 2022, this 80 m yacht boasts a sustainable design and several advanced technologies.

7. Oceanco, Netherlands

Founded in 1987, Oceanco’s constructions have managed to turn heads in the industry with their fresh and functional designs.

Oceanco has a private facility spanning over 20 acres in the Netherlands, enabling it to work on yachts with a length of up to 160 metres. Due to several shipbuilding bays, Oceanco can handle 5 yachts of 80 m and more, simultaneously during their different construction stages and deliver 2 superyachts annually.

The company has attracted people like Jeff Bezos due to its unique approach and the highly personalised services it offers to its clients.

Oceanco is the builder of the famous Black Pearl that features a Dyna Rig and a sail which is available at the push of a button. It has also built other superyachts like the Indian Empress, the Nirvana and Equanimity.

The company is striving to become more green. It aims to be waste-free across its supply chain and switch completely to renewable energy by 2030.

8. Heesen Yachts, Netherlands

This luxury yacht builder has been known for its engineering and design since it was established in 1978. It specialises in custom superyachts ranging from 30 to 65 m lengthwise but also has the capacity to build vessels of 80 m and more.

It is said that no two Heesen Yachts are the same. It was also the first Dutch shipyard to use aluminium for building the hulls of yachts, given its lightness which translates to efficiency in operations.

Heesen has delivered over 170 yachts with steel, aluminium, displacement, semi-displacement and fast-displacement yachts making up most of its fleet.

Its most famous yachts include the 65 m Galactica Star, the 55 m Serenity and Alive which was the first to have Hull Vane Technology which led to 30% less fuel consumption than a regular yacht.

9. Royal Huisman, Netherlands

Founded in 1884, Royal Huisman has evolved significantly from a local builder of wooden fishing boats to a multiple award-winning company for creating some of the finest superyachts.

With its motto, ‘If you can dream it, we can build it’, the company promises to build yachts from classic to contemporary and from motor yachts to Bermudan rigs to a full-rigged schooner.

Their team comprises 350 people having different skills and nationalities but who share a passion for innovation in the sphere of yacht building.

The 81 m long Sea Eagle II, launched in 2020 was the company’s 10th sailing yacht over 50 m and its biggest one since 2004’s Athena, which was the biggest sailing yacht of that time.

The company is renowned for its superyachts Ethereal and Aquarius and has branched out into motor yachts as well.

The most recent construction was the Phi, delivered in 2021. It is a super-slim aluminium yacht which can accommodate 12 guests.

10. CRN (Ferretti & Riva), Italy

CRN builds fully customised superyachts using steel and aluminium. The company has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1963 in Ancona, Italy.

The company has delivered exceptionally beautiful superyachts, known for their functionality and design, a pinnacle of Italian manufacturing.

Its shipbuilding capacities lie at the Ferretti Group Superyard in Ancona which covers 80,000 m2 with 33,000 m2 for indoor facilities.

This serves as the centre for the design and construction of metal megayachts and superyachts for brands within the Ferretti Group, including CRN, Pershing, and Riva Superyachts Division.

Conclusion

The luxury superyacht sector is dominated by a few players who not only lead in production but have also raised the standard of luxury through their innovative and functional customisations and superior designs. The rise in demand for luxurious yachts among the world’s wealthiest has led to a robust market which is estimated to grow significantly over the coming years. While Northern Europe remains the hub of yacht construction, new players are emerging in Turkey and the UAE who will likely bring fresh designs into the market, increasing competition and pushing the companies to innovate further.

You might also like to read-

• Top 15 Most Expensive Yachts In The World
• Introduction To Different Types Of Yachts
• Top 6 Private Super Yachts with Sails
• Superyacht Pelorus – One of the World’s Largest Private Superyachts

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Zahra is an SEO-Strategist & a Technical Writer with over 5 years of experience crafting top-tier content for the shipping world. From news, articles, ebooks, blogs and marketing pieces to industry white papers, she has written it all and now brings that experience to her role as Senior Editor. She makes complex maritime stories clear, sharp, and engaging.

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