Simply Abu Dhabi XXXIV

1 9 1 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I E stablished in 1873 and forming part of Azimut|Benetti Group – the world’s largest privately owned shipyard – Benetti delivered 32 yachts in the 40-60m size range between 2014-2018. However, 2019 promises to be a year with a difference for the Italian yard as it embarks on the launch of, not one, but three full custom ‘gigayachts’. In addition to requiring a dedicated team with cutting-edge technical, production, design and financial skills, the yard has invested over 15million euros in its 300,000 sq.m production facilities in order to build these larger vessels, including two new steel structure sheds in its Livorno shipyard. December 2018 saw the launch of the FB277, the first of the yard’s larger vessels, stretching to 107m and 3,300GT. At the time of its launch it was the biggest yacht ever built in Italy by a private shipyard. Powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system, the yacht has a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure. However, two more gigayacht launches have subsequently followed, and the launch of Benetti’s impressive FB275 on 28 March marked the third gigayacht to be delivered by the Livorno shipyard in 100 days – an incredible achievement. Stretching 108m in length and boasting impressive technical engineering, the FB275 will not, however, be Benetti’s last gigayacht vowed president and founder, Paolo Vitelli. Speaking on the morning of the launch, he stated that with the yard’s new “technical knowhow” and “in-house workforce” required for building larger vessels, Benetti will strive to deliver at least one 100m+ yacht a year: “We had to decide during the peak of the financial crisis whether or not to invest €25 million in a new shed. It was a testing time, but we decided to do so, and now that we have entered the field, we want to continue.” “The FB275 typifies everything that we strive to achieve,” adds Adrian Chisnell, TeamPrincipal at RWD. “It’s easy for us to draw a line, but what’s difficult is to turn that line into something that is a stunning, operational vessel on a scale of this magnitude. It’s certainly one, if not the finest achievement in RWD’s 25-year history.” Key features on board these stunning vessels include large swimming pools on the sun deck, grand pianos, spas with hammams, massage rooms and gyms, and touch- and-go helipads. To date, Benetti has specialised in building steel and aluminium superyachts from 45 to 80m, but in addition to its full customcapabilities, the yard has also introduced the Custom Now product range to its clients who desire the benefits of a custom design but with reduced delivery times. At present, Benetti offers four different lengths in this range – Bnow 50, BNow 55, BNow 63 and BNow 68 – all of which have been designed collaboratively with British design studio RWD. Created to offer a modern onboard lifestyle by connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, Benetti’s advanced construction technology ensures short delivery times. The wave of new initiatives does not stop there, though. Geared towards a younger generation who are attracted by yachts that appeal to their lifestyle and interests, the yard has also recently launchedOasis 40M, Diamond 145 andDelfino 95, the fourth unit of which was launched in January 2018. These models are joined by the Mediterraneo 116, which carries on the success of the Classic category, and the Fast 125, which is fitted with the innovative Azipull Carbon AZPC65 propulsion system developed by Rolls Royce exclusively for this model. Reflecting developments in the yachtingmarket, and the needs of differing yet precise types of owners, with this new wave of developments, Benetti states that it “intends to introduce new elements of style while remaining faithful to the fundamental principles that underpin its long history and tradition”.