A 328-footer will be the first mega-size megayacht stemming from an unusual collaboration. Kleven, the commercial shipbuilder based in Norway, struck a deal with Lürssen for an explorer yacht of this size.
Unfortunately, facts are scarce at this point, other than the LOA. Neither Kleven nor Lürssen has commented on the naval architect, stylist, or interior designer for the project. Neither has either company revealed a construction start date or delivery date. However, Kleven does say that the explorer yacht’s initial build will take place at its own facility in Ulsteinvik, Norway. The site focuses on construction for advanced offshore vessels. Once the craftspeople complete the hull and superstructure, along with some on-deck and interior equipment installations, Kleven will transfer the 328-foot explorer yacht to Lürssen. Specifically, she will go to its Hamburg, Germany location. (That facility is the former site of Blohm+Voss, you may recall.) Lürssen’s team will then finish the remainder of the interior decks, along with other yacht-oriented touches.
The news came via a simple announcement by Kleven. Ståle Rasmussen, Kleven’s CEO, states, “We are proud to announce the first result of the cooperation between Kleven and Lürssen.” His reference to “first” is an allusion to an agreement signed several months ago, for a long-term cooperation. Furthermore, in September, Lürssen was part of a group that agreed to inject capital into the Norwegian shipbuilder. The value of that capital: 300 million Norwegian krone, or about $36.4 million at press time.
Despite Kleven’s commercial background, it’s no stranger to superyachts. So far it’s built two: the 351-foot (107-meter) Ulysses in 2015 (above), and her 381-foot (116-meter) successor in 2016. The latter Ulysses departed Kleven in December last year for final fit-out in Germany at Dörries Maritime, which should wrap up before the end of this year.
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