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The coolest superyachts in town for the Barcelona America's Cup 2024

Last week, the Louis Vuitton Cup ended in a dramatic showdown that saw INEOS Britannia qualify for the America's Cup for the first time since 1964. And all eyes are still on Barcelona, as the British team prepares to square off against the defending team, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, for the coveted America's Cup.

With the regatta reaching its climax, BOAT utilises   BOATPro 's Global Fleet Tracker to take a closer look at the largest (and coolest) yachts lining the Port Vell area. Make sure to listen to our BOAT Briefing episode where we unpack everything you need to know about this year's America's Cup .

Builder: Lürssen Length: 146.4m

The largest yacht spotted in the Port Vell area is the 146.4-metre superyacht Opera , delivered in 2023 by the German yard. Located near iconic hotel W Barcelona, the yacht is thought to be a rebuild project of 145-metre Project Sassi, which was destroyed in the 2018 shipyard fire. Exterior and interior design is owed to Terence Disdale , which is understood to feature a pair of helipads on the foredeck and upper deck aft and two swimming pools.

Builder: Oceanco Length: 110.1m

Kaos once stood as the largest superyacht ever built in the Netherlands. Delivered in 2017, she was commissioned by Barcelona-based designer Igor Lobanov , who created the illusion of a much smaller superyacht by adding the impression of "fake decks". The iconic metallic blue superyacht boasts a range of beguiling features – from her unique troupe l'oil design to her pool deck that doubles up as an aquarium. Built to Passenger Yacht Code, Kaos could originally accommodate an impressive 31 guests across 15 cabins. Now, she is spotted docked alongside the behemoth yacht Opera within a stone's throw from W Barcelona.

Builder: Devonport Length: 96m

Highly secretive yacht Vava II i s the second-largest superyacht spotted at Port Vell for the America's Cup. Measuring an impressive 96 metres, the yacht's design was penned by Redman Whiteley Dixon with interior styling by Remi Tessier . Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Ernesto Bertarelli took delivery of the British-built yacht in 2012, which has been deployed for research expeditions by scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and other research universities from around the world. Bertarelli and his wife had a vision to raise their children at sea, so the "school room" can be transformed into a floating laboratory with the deck space able to accommodate the scientists’ equipment.

Builder: SilverYachts Length: 85.3m

Bold is an explorer yacht technically classed as a "sports activity vessel” (SAV)", meaning it can carry a wide variety of equipment. This includes but is not limited to an AW109S Grand helicopter, two 10.5-metre tenders, laser sailing dinghies and a floating island. Those watching the Cup from Bold can do so from one of its many outdoor entertainment areas, with its three decks arranged with a bar, a Teppanyaki grill, an outdoor cinema, an eight-person hot tub and a firepit lounge. Bold was designed inside and out by Espen Øino , who described her as "contemporary, purposeful, sustainable" and "down to earth, like a Range Rover".

Builder: Feadship Length: 84.2m

Delivered last year, Obsidian was the first in a new generation of reduced-emission Feadships that use second-generation biodiesel (HVO) in its generators. One of her coolest design features is the "Aqua Lounge" which features large windows below sea level, similar to the Nemo Lounge on the 83.5-metre Savannah , and an asymmetrical atrium staircase leading to a lower deck dining saloon, where a wall opens to reveal a terrace that sits just 75 centimetres above sea level. Her soft, futuristic exterior is by British studio RWD in collaboration with MONK Design .

Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen Length: 81.8m

Built in steel and aluminium and delivered by the German yard as Kibo in 2014, Grace is at once elegant and imposing. British designer Terence Disdale was responsible for the exterior and interior, guided by his principle to reject "the wow-effect" in favour of a traditional, functional and comfortable yacht. One of her standout features includes the glass-sided lift, providing access to all four decks, while the interior is typified by ridged wall linings and calming beach club tones.

Hampshire II

Builder: Feadship Length: 78.5m

Delivered in 2012 by the Dutch yard, Hampshire II was designed inside and out by RWD . The superyacht was built for a seasoned Feadship owner with a great love for action and sports – as evidenced in the expansive foredeck, where guests can play basketball, badminton, tennis and football once the crew ring the area with specially designed nets to prevent balls from going overboard. She also comes with her own zipline, running from the mast to the sea.

Builder: Vosper Thornycroft Length: 78.4m

Twenty years after her delivery, M5 remains the largest sloop in the world. She has had two major refits since, the most recent being in 2019 and involving "nearly two years of patient planning", according to her co-captain. Her top speed is 16 knots, though owner Rod Lewis has said 22 knots is his fastest, at which point it feels like "flying on the water". Her exterior is by Ron Holland Design , though the 2019 refit saw RWD step up and refurbish her interiors, including a bar top made from ancient Egyptian red jasper.

Builder: Feadship Length: 72.8m

Commissioned by a repeat client, Podium is characterised by her striking dark blue hull, white superstructure and extensive glass glazing that runs flush to the exterior. The full displacement yacht was designed by RWD with Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects , while interior design is the work of Redman Whiteley Dixon . She was delivered in 2020. 

Builder: Feadship Length: 66.3m

Docked next to Hampshire II is the 66.3-metre yacht Hampshire . Delivered in 2016 by the Dutch yard, the superyacht boasts an expansive owner's deck – the product of a serial yacht owner whose experiences had taught him that privacy and outdoor spaces are key to life on board. A standout feature here is the balcony, located under the master suite. At the touch of a button, the balcony extends out and the floor rises to sit flush with the suite, offering a seamless transition to the balcony and superb views from two deck chairs. 

Builder: Sanlorenzo Length: 49.9m

Sanlorenzo's first fuel-cell powered superyacht, Almax has her hotel load powered by "green" methanol and fuel cell reformer technology which allows her to sit at anchor completely emission-free. The yacht also features a Hidden Engine Room (or HER), a design patented by the Italian yard that has the engine room concealed in the lower deck. This frees up space on the aft to create an open, 150-square-metre "Ocean Lounge" beach club, complete with a pool and unfolding sea terraces.

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Sighted in Barcelona: “Vava II” the superyacht owned by Ernesto Bertarelli

We saw the superyacht “vava ii” in the port of barcelona, the 96 metre vessel belongs to ernesto bertarelli.

Topics: Ernesto Bertarelli , Vava II

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By Conor Feasey 04 Sep 2024

EU Court rejects plea for Meridian A

The 85-metre lürssen will remain in the hands of spanish authorities due to suspected ties to the russian ceo of rostec, sergei chemezov….

Spanish authorities seized the yacht in March 2022, while it was docked at Marina Vela in Barcelona for a refit. The 85-metre Lürssen has since become emblematic of the legal battles stemming from EU sanctions imposed due to Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

The yacht was initially tied to Anastasia Ignatova, step-daughter of prominent Russian oligarch and CEO of state-owned defence and technology corporation Rostec, Sergei Chemezov.  

Meridian A was initially registered (as Valerie ) under Delima Services, a British Virgin Islands company, which was connected to Ignatova on paper. Then Sulberg Services, formerly Delima Services, was listed as the yacht’s registered owner, with Ignatova as the ultimate beneficiary.

However, in July 2021, ownership of Sulberg Services was reportedly transferred to an unnamed individual referred to as “A” in court documents. Sulberg Services argued that because Ignatova no longer owned the yacht, the seizure was therefore unjustified. The EU General Court then dismissed Sulberg Services’ case because it did not meet the legal requirements for annulment.

In simple terms, the court said that only decisions that directly affect legal rights or responsibilities can be cancelled. Sulberg Services was challenging the explanation behind the sanctions (why Ignatova was listed as the former owner of the yacht) rather than the actual decision to impose the sanctions. Since their challenge focused on the reasoning rather than a decision with direct legal consequences, the court ruled that it wasn't something they could legally overturn.

The Court noted that updating Ignatova’s ownership status didn’t have a direct impact on Sulberg Services. The yacht was seized based on earlier sanctions, and simply changing the records to show she was no longer the owner doesn’t require Spanish authorities to release the yacht. The Court also pointed out that the EU didn’t specifically order the yacht’s seizure—this was something handled by Spanish authorities as part of their broader enforcement of EU sanctions.

Now, the sanctions and seizure of the yacht, which were based on earlier actions tied to Russia’s involvement in Ukraine, continue to apply. Even though the ownership of the yacht may have changed and is listed under a different name and entity, this doesn’t alter its seized status.

Practically speaking, this means the yacht will remain immobilised in Barcelona, as Spanish authorities, acting under the EU sanctions framework continue to enforce the seizure. Despite efforts to distance the yacht from its previous ownership ties, it remains caught in the net of sanctions, unable to operate or be sold freely.

The court’s decision doesn’t force the release of the yacht, or offer Sulberg Services any immediate legal recourse to change its status either. The ongoing legal issues, coupled with unpaid maintenance fees, likely mean the yacht will remain in limbo until the broader sanctions or legal disputes are resolved.

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Superyacht Spotting in Barcelona (including Yacht of the Year 2021)

Superyacht Spotting: This week we’re down yacht spotting in Port Vell in Barcelona to capture some of the world biggest and most prestigious superyachts on the world. Tag along!

Superyacht spotting is one of the most exciting and glamorous activities or interests that you can participate in. Although you might not own one of the worlds best and biggest superyachts, or even get a chance to go onboard one of them, if you are in the right place at the right time to be able to spot and see one of the worlds best Superyachts then you will be truly amazed and shocked to see the elegance, luxury and sheer beauty that is to behold with one of the worlds most notable forms of travel, that incorporates leisure, accommodation and business activities onboard.

Here in Port Vell, Barcelona we are fortunate enough to very often be in the right place at the right time to be able to witness such sites. In this video you will be able to see the following Superyachts: Artefact 80m, I Dynasty 101m, Kaos 110m, Somnium 55m and Viva 94m. There are some others as well though, can you spot them with your own Superyacht spotting skills?

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