super yacht in venice today

Who owns the superyacht docked outside the 2024 Venice Biennale?

The sea pearl has been a looming presence along the water during this week's preview.

The Sea Pearl docked near the entrance of the Venice Biennale © The Art Newspaper

Visitors walking along the water to the 60th Venice Biennale pavilions from St Mark's Square during this week’s preview have undoubtedly noticed the massive yacht docked near the entrance to the Giardini. The ship, called the Sea Pearl, is reportedly owned by Indian-born Indonesian billionaire Sri Prakash Lohia.

Lohia is the billionaire chairman and founder of Indorama Corporation, and made his fortune in petrochemicals and textiles. He has a large collection of lithographs and rare books. His daughter-in-law, Aarti Lohia, leads the SP Lohia Foundation and is a significant collector of contemporary South Asian art . Aarti Lohia is serving as this year’s British Council ambassador for the Venice Biennale, with John Akomfrah’s British pavilion. On 16 April, Aarti Lohia threw a reception onboard the Sea Pearl to support fundraising efforts, the British Council confirmed. The SP Lohia Foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The ship is more than 82 metres long, according to its maker Abeking & Rasmussen , and photos and videos show multiple decks and an onboard pool. The yacht can reportedly accommodate around a dozen overnight guests in seven cabins and features include a gym and cinema.

During the 2011 edition of the Venice Biennale, mega collector Roman Abramovich docked his 115-metre boat Luna near the Giardini, a move that agitated locals and spurred the then-mayor to threaten a new “oligarch tax” on oversized yachts. For the following edition in 2013, the British pavilion artist Jeremy Deller referenced the incident with a mural of the British social reformer William Morris chucking the superyacht into the Venetian lagoon. The Sea Pearl was joined by another superyacht on 18 April.

This year’s British pavilion by Akomfrah deals with, among other topics, the environment and climate change. A 2021 report by Indiana University researchers found luxury yachts with features like helipads and submarines can burn thousands of tons of CO2 a year, and the team described the ships as “by far the worst asset to own from an environmental standpoint”. Venice, built on more than 100 small islands, is uniquely vulnerable to rising tides and other effects of climate change.

Boat International announce the nominees for the World Superyacht Awards 2024, as we showcase the ‘over 500GT’ category

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Written by Rachel Kelly

The World Superyacht Awards are an opportunity for the industry to recognise the innovation and craftsmanship of the world’s most exciting superyachts. In 2024, the 19 th edition of the esteemed prizes, the awards will be announced at a gala ceremony in Venice from 3 rd -4 th May.

In the run up to the event, we will bring you details of the nominees from across the categories, starting with the ultimate in luxury … superyachts over 500GT.

Motor Yachts 1,500 GT and above

M/Y INFINITE JEST | 74.9m (245’7”) | Turquoise Yachts | 2023

Superyacht INFINITE JEST – Image from Turquoise Yachts

Magnificent mega yacht with design from A Valicelli Yacht Design, Sinot Yacht Architecture and Design and Julie Hillman Design. She can accommodate up to fourteen guests in seven staterooms with a crew of twenty-two.

M/Y MALIA | 77.7m (254’9”) | Golden Yachts | 2023

Super yacht MALIA (renderred image) – Image from Golden Yachts

Built by Greek shipyard Golden Yachts, she is a collaboration between the shipyard, Nafpigiki Hellas, Massari Design and Studio Vafiadis. Accommodation is for up to twelve guests in eight staterooms with a twenty-two-person crew.

Motor Yachts 1,000GT – 1499 GT

ALCHEMY | 65.7m (215’5”) | Rossinavi | 2023

Luxury superyacht ALCHEMY – © Rossinavi

Designed by Vitruvius and built by Rossinavi, she also boasts interiors by Enrico Gobbi from Team for Design. She can accommodate up to twelve guests in six staterooms and is looked after by a crew of sixteen.

PINK SHADOW | 58.3m (191’2”) | Damen Yachting | 2023

Explorer yacht PINK SHADOW – Damen Yachting

This unique and eye-catching SeaXplorer 58 was built in Turkey by Damen Yachting, designed by Azure Yacht Design and Naval Architecture. Her interior is from Design Unlimited and features accommodation for up to twelve guests in six suites plus accommodation for up to eighteen crew members.

SPARTA | 67m (219’8”) | Heesen | 2024

Superyacht SPARTA – image Heesen © Ruben Griffioen

Built by Heesen in the Netherlands, she was launched in 2024 with interior and exterior design from Winch Design and naval architecture by Van Oossanen. Twelve guests will be accommodated across six staterooms and be looked after by a crew of sixteen.

Motor Yachts 500 GT – 999 GT

ENTOURAGE | 60m (196’8”) | Amels | 2023

Luxury yacht ENTOURAGE © Guillaume Plisson

Amels collaborated with Damen Yachting, who are credited with the naval architecture, Espen Oeiono International who designed the exterior and Burdifilek for the interiors on this 2023 built yacht in the Netherlands. Six staterooms can accommodate up to twelve guests and there are also thirteen crew members on board.

RELIANCE | 55m (180’4”) | Heesen | 2023

Superyacht RELIANCE by Heesen

Built by Heesen with naval architecture from Van Oosanen, design from Omega Architects and interiors from Luca Dini, this superyacht can accommodate up to twelve guests in six staterooms with an on-board crew of thirteen.

THIS IS IT | 43.5m (142’7”) | Tecnomar – The Italian Sea Group | 2024

Superyacht THIS IS IT – Tecnomar

This futuristic-looking superyacht is exclusively the work of Tecnomar – the Italian Sea Group, who kept the naval architecture, design and interiors in house. Twelve guests can be accommodated on board in six staterooms with an onboard crew of thirteen.

These hotly contested categories showcase the pinnacle of contemporary superyachts, where one off designs push the boundaries of technical possibilities and yacht-building craftsmanship.

In our next instalment, displacement yachts under 499 GT go head-to-head.  Contact us now for more information about previous winners which are available for charter .

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Boat International announce the nominees for the World Superyacht Awards 2024, as we showcase the ‘over 500GT’ category".

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The 20th edition of the BOAT International World Superyacht Awards, in association with Acquera Club , will return to Venice, Italy, in May 2025.

The annual World Superyacht Awards recognise the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the most remarkable luxury yachts in the world. The globally acclaimed event, known for its credibility and prestige, is distinguished from all other yacht awards thanks to a judging panel comprising current and former superyacht owners.

Nominations for the World Superyacht Awards 2025 are now open and will close on 31 December 2024. For more information about the awards, please contact the events team .

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