2017 to be record year of deliveries for German builder
Following the takeover of Blohm + Voss (B+V) by the Lurssen group last year the latter inherited a new superyacht refit venture at La Ciotat in the south of France that was inaugurated yesterday.
The new refit initiative involves a partnership between B+V La Ciotat SAS, now a Lurssen subsidiary, MB92, and SEMDIEP-Ciotat which owns and managed the La Ciotat shipyard. The key asset of the shipyard is the 200x60m(656x197ft) drydock. The arrangement for this venture origianally extended over 35 months.
For Lurssen this is an event that will be part of a record year of deliveries in length terms with four superyachts totalling nearly 400m (1,300ft). The recent launch of the 74m (248.7ft) Aurora marks a step in its 2017 delivery programme.
The Aurora, known as Project Gatsby, is due to be delivered in early summer. She was built in conjunction with Moran Yacht & Ship who managed her construction. Aurora will be the third of the four deliveries due to be made by Lurssen this year. Winch Design were responsible for both the exterior and interior design and her profile which is described as being timelessly classical.
The first of the four deliveries will be the 104m(341.5ft) Project Mistral; a Espen Oeino-designed superyacht. She has modern lines with a contemporary style and six decks. The interiors are designed by Francois Zuretti in a very classic Middle Eastern style which extend throughout the yacht.
The second and largest delivery of 2017 will the 123m(403.9ft) Project Jupiter. She has a distinctive exterior designed by H2 Yacht Design and interiors by March & White. To complete Lurssen’s 2017 delivery programme an 85m(279ft) yacht will follow in the autumn after the Aurora.
On the refit front Lurssen say that this is now a core business for the company. Over the past winter eight yachts between 50m(164ft) and 124m(407ft) have Lurssen’s facilities for modifications and maintenance works. These have include Lady Moura, Alamshar, Pacific and Katara.
Following the acquisition of B+V, Lurssen now offers five shipyards which provide capacity for refit and repair work including several dry docks and covered shed.
Lurssen inaugurates La Ciotat project _ IBI Plus International Boat Industry