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Largest Superyacht Launches of 2020
As another year draws to a close, we look back on the last year in large yachting. In spite of the turbulence of 2020, the world’s largest superyacht builders have not rested on their laurels. Instead, we welcomed some iconic new Top 100 mega yachts into the global superyacht fleet.
#98: Hawaii/Avantage
In demonstration of their true German shipbuilding excellence, Lurssen Yachts kicked off the largest superyacht launches of the year in signature style with 87m Avantage. Not even one month into the year, the end of January saw the stylish superyacht then known as Project Hawaii hit the water for the first time to much acclaim. Although no interior images have been released, we have high expectations for this superyacht designed inside and out by British design studio Bannenberg & Rowell.
#55: Moonrise
Not long after Hawaii’s appearance came the birth of a ‘new star’; the spectacular 100m Feadship superyacht Moonrise. In what turned out to be a remarkable beginning to the year of largest yacht launches, Moonrise hit the water at an incredible 100m LOA with eight staterooms and accommodation for some 32 crew members onboard. Her distinctive Feadship profile has come to represent the culmination of this Dutch shipbuilder’s prowess in both build and architecture, making Moonrise undoubtedly one of the coolest yachts on the water as well as one of the largest.
#65: O’Pari
We turned eastwards for the fourth largest yacht launched in 2020, as Greek superyacht builder Golden Yachts announced the launch of the 95m flagship O’Pari from its Athens facility. Following the success of the yard’s previous launch 85m O’Ptasia, O’Pari is Golden Yachts’ first entry into the Top100 largest superyachts in the world. Featuring a timeless design by Greek designer Studio Vafiadis inside and out, O’Pari is also one of the largest superyachts in the world available for charter. Golden Yachts’ Captain Paris Dragnis told Superyachts.com of the yard’s ‘challenging ambition to launch a new build upgraded in all aspects and size every two and a half years’; with this in mind, we look forward to what 2022 has to bring.
#11: Opus/NORD
Perhaps the most highly anticipated launch of the year however was another Lurssen Yachts’ build, this time in the form of the formidable 142m NORD. Launched as Opus, the Top 100 mega yacht features a striking exterior design by Nuvolari & Lenard comprising two helipads, a large swimming pool, six decks and a unique blunt grill as bow sprit. This otherworldly superyacht has captured attention worldwide for her extra terrestrial look enhanced by a unique blue and black superstructure. Coming in at #11 on the world Top 100, the latest and largest superyacht to be launched this year is certainly a worthy contender in the ranks.