Azzam (180 metres)
Azzam is currently the biggest yacht in the world. She was proudly built by Lurssen Yachts, who have been involved in the building of 6 out of the world’s 10 largest yachts.
The specifications of this ship are being kept secret. We don’t know who her owner is but it’s rumoured that she was built for a member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi. Her propulsion system is an innovative water-jet with two fixed drives and two directional. This system can push the huge yacht to a staggering speed of 31.5 knots.
Eclipse (162.5 metres)
Eclipse is the 2nd largest yacht in the world. She needed 5 years of planning and construction in the German shipyards of Blohm+Voss in Hamburg. Launched in 2010, she held the title of biggest yacht in the world for a time. Eclipse features a diesel-electric propulsion system with rotating Azipod drives.
Her owner can enjoy his personal 56-metre deck, and a wonderful interior created by Terence Disdale’s team. There is also a 16-metre long swimming pool, the largest on any yacht. The yacht car accommodates no less than 3 helicopters. She is owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Dubai (162 metres)
Standing proudly as the 3rd largest yacht globally, is this Blohm+Voss built yacht. Her vast 162-metre yacht was originally commissioned by Prince Jefri of Brunei. The project was halted in 1998 with just a bare hull and partially complete superstructure.
She was sold to the Dubai government and completed in 2006 by Platinum Yachts. Named Dubai, the vessel is the Royal Yacht of Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum of Dubai.
She can accommodate 24 guests in luxurious conditions. She has an owner suite, 5 VIP suites and 6 guest suites. Her list of facilities is long: swimming pool, barbecue area, cinema, discothèque, helicopter platform, fitness area, garage for a submarine and a vast collection of water toys.
Al Said (155 metres)
Impressive and huge, Al Said is a motoryacht with a lot of secrets. She was built by Lurssen under the codename Sunflower and launched in 2008. She is owned by the Sultan of Oman and sails under the Omani flag.
Her home port is Muscat, Oman. Al Said has a top speed of 25 knots and needs a crew of 150 to operate. Her interior design is the work of Espen Oeino and features a concert hall that can accommodate a 50-strong orchestra. 65 guests can travel aboard this impressive ship.
Topaz (147.25 metres)
Topaz was launched in 2012, with her sea trials completed in the month of August 2012. She is a Lurssen product, being the 3rd largest yacht built by the German shipyard.
Not many things are known about this vessel. She belongs to a United Arab Emirates client, although she sails under a Cayman flag. Her exterior styling is designed by Tim Heywood, and the interior design by Terence Disdale.
Prince Abdulaziz (147 metres)
Prince Abdulaziz was commissioned in 1984 to serve as the Royal Yacht for King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. She was later inherited by King Abdullah.
Built by Danish shipyard Helsingor Vaerft, her cost was a reportedly $184m – a huge amount at that time. Her interior is designed by David Hicks and has a notable feature: the large lobby on her main deck is said to be designed to mimic that of the Titanic.
She also features a fully equipped hospital, a mosque and a cinema. The yacht is manned by a crew of 65. There are also rumours that she has systems that include surface-to-air missiles, but this fact is unconfirmed.
El Horriya (145.7 metres)
El Horriya is a different breed of yacht. In fact, she is a classic vessel – the largest classic yacht in use in the world. She was built in 1865 by Samuda Brothers in the United Kingdom for the Ottoman governor of Egypt, Khedive Ismail, and she was present at the opening ceremony of the Suez Canal in 1869.
In 1872 she was lengthened by 12.1 metres and her original paddle wheel propulsion was removed. Since then she has seen a major rebuild in 1950. In the 70’s the ship was used as a museum, but in 1992 she was made seaworthy again.
Today, El Horriya is the Presidential Yacht for the Egypt Republic. She’s rarely used and can be seen berthed in the port of Alexandria, where she is maintained by the Egyptian Navy.
Yas (141 metres)
At only 1 metre longer than Ocean Victory, Yas is a very special vessel. Launched in November 2011 by Abu Dhabi MAR, she was built in Abu Dhabi using the steel hull of a 1978 Dutch-built navy frigate.
The old ship was completely modified and new machinery was added, along with new systems and a luxury interior. It’s estimated that the 141-metre Yas can accommodate 60 guests, and needs a crew of 56 to operate.
Her superstructure is manufactured from advanced composites and glass. Her distinctive silhouette was inspired by the shape of a dolphin. For power, Yas uses 2 MTU diesels and has a top speed of 26 knots.
Ocean Victory (140 metres)
Ocean Victory is number 9 in the top 10 biggest superyachts in the world. She was built by Muggiano shipyard in Italy, a Ficantieri owned business. She has 7 decks and her exterior design is signed by Espen Oeino.
Her interior is the work of Alberto Pinto and Laura Sessa. Ocean Victory features 6 pools of up to 8 metres in length. She also has dockage capability for a 14-metre tender. The building of Ocean Victory began in 2010 and she was launched in 2014.
Al Salamah (139.3 metres)
Al Salamah was built in 1999 by a consortium of the Lurssen shipyard in Bremen and HDW in Kiel, Germany. Standing at almost 140 metres with a beam of 23.5 metres, she can also reach a reported speed of 21.5 knots.
Her interior and exterior styling is by Terence Disdale Design from London. Al Salamah was owned by Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, son of the late King Fahd, Governor of Riyadh. He is Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister and the nation’s Crown Prince. Al Salamah was refitted by Lurssen in 2007.
Update: Megayacht Dilbar has also joined the ranks of the top 10 biggest pleasure vessels in the world. Standing at 156 metres long, she enters the top 10 at number 4. Formerly known as Project Omar, megayacht Dilbar is another vessel built by Lurssen shipyards.
Source: https://boats.drivemag.com/features/top-10-biggest-yachts-in-the-world
