Blohm + Voss Brief

Blohm + Voss Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

92m Superyacht Mayan Queen IV by Blohm + Voss in Marlborough, New Zealand

February 03, 2012

The 92m superyacht Mayan Queen IV, built in 2008 by Blohm + Voss in Germany is currently cruising in New Zealand and was recently spotted anchored up in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.  The impressive 92m (302 ft) motor yacht Mayan Queen IV is able to accommodate up to 16 guests and has a total of 24 crew members. The megayacht Mayan Queen IV was designed by superyacht designer Tim Heywood, with interior Design by Terence Disdale Design Ltd.

92m Mayan Queen IV in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand

92m Mayan Queen IV in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand

Spanning 6 decks, the Mayan Queen IV yacht is listed as the 33rd biggest superyacht in the world and is an impressive site. The yacht has been in New Zealand since September last year and was one of the superyachts berthed in the newly redeveloped Wynyard Quarter in Auckland during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.  The yacht remained in Auckland until early 2012, receiving some maintenance and servicing work.

One of the largest yachts to visit New Zealand in the past 6 years and certainly one of the largest megayachts to grace Queen Charlotte Sound, the M/Y Mayan Queen IV is owned by Mexican billionaire Alberto Bailleres.  Alberto Bailleres chairs Mexico’s second-largest mining company, Industrias Penoles, which one of the world’s largest silver miners.

Mr Bailleres reportedly has a net worth of US$11.9 billion and was ranked at number 66 on Forbes magazine’s March 2011 list of the world’s billionaires.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, owner of the Chelsea Football Club owns the world’s largest superyacht Eclipse, also built by Blohm & Voss which is an imposing 164m (538)  in length.

Superyacht Mayan Queen IV - Profile showing Owners stateroom balcony.

Superyacht Mayan Queen IV - Profile showing Owners stateroom balcony.

Before making her way to the Marlborough Sounds, the Mayan Queen IV yacht was also spotted further south in Dunedin, turning heads as it made its way up Otago Harbour to its berth,  having sailed from Fiordland, where it had spent several days before the weather deteriorated. Motor yacht Mayan Queen has now left the Marlborough Sounds and is berthed in Wellington. Hopefully those onboard will enjoy a sunny Waitangi Day and weekend in the Capital.

New Owner of Blohm + Voss: Star Capital Partners

February 02, 2012

Blohm + Voss Repair sees excellent prospects in the growing offshore sector – a sector where the company already possesses important expertise. Its service portfolio not only comprises the complex and technologically requiring conversion of vessels and craft for oil and gas platform supply, but also services for vessels and platforms in the offshore wind power sector.

Hamburg´s Blohm + Voss Shipyard

Hamburg´s Blohm + Voss Shipyard

Its leading position in retrofitting and services for cruise liners and merchant ships will also be expanded to a similar degree. Blohm + Voss Repair also sees potential growth in retrofitting and modernization work for mega-yachts – a field in which the company has a long and distinguished record. Development of the Oil Tools unit will also be prioritized: a sector where Blohm + Voss Repair has also worked hard to acquire a strong market position.

Shipbuilding supplier Blohm + Voss Industries, one of the world´s market leaders within its segment, will also be expnading its service business to cover all of the key shipping markets worldwide. For decades, shipbuilders and shipowners have relied on the quality and reliability they can expect from components made by Blohm + Voss Industries.

Based in London, the new owners of Blohm + Voss, Star Capital Partners, specialize in the financing of capital-intensive businesses. The investment company was formed in 2000 and manages total funds of around a bilion euros. SCP provides promising companies in growth markets with capital in order to both finance ongoing activities and develop new business. Its objective is to achieve – or to secure – the acquired company´s position as the leader in its market.

“Investors Star Capital Partners are an excellent match for Blohm + Voss,” emphasizes Dr. Herbert Aly, in commenting on the change of ownership. “Their commitment will enable all three companies to continue to develop their business models, since we are not only active in booming markets but have a huge market potential. Thanks to SCP, the shipyard will be retained, and SCP also offers excellent prospects for our highly-qualified and dedicated workforce.”

STAR Capital acquires Blohm & Voss’ civil business from ThyssenKrupp

December 12, 2011

STAR Capital Partners (“STAR Capital”), a leading European fund manager investing mainly in capital-intensive businesses, has come to an agreement with ThyssenKrupp AG, the German diversified industrial group to acquire the non-military parts of its ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems business.

Motor-Yacht Palladium - ex Orca - Superyacht Photography by Klaus Kehrls in Hamburg

Blohm & Voss Motor Yacht Palladium (ex Orca) - Superyacht Photography by Klaus Kehrls in Hamburg

STAR Capital will commit significant amounts of capital to the business to ensure that it is in a position to take advantage of growth opportunities in the future.

The businesses to be acquired by STAR Capital are Blohm & Voss Industries (“BVI”), a provider of highly complex marine components; Blohm & Voss Repair (“BVR”), a ship repair and conversion business; Blohm & Voss Oil Tools (“BVOT”), a provider of pipehandling equipment in the oil and gas sector; and Blohm & Voss Shipyards (“BVS”), a shipbuilder focused on luxury mega yachts. The group has annual revenues of around €400 million and has over 1,500 employees, mostly in Hamburg.

Blohm & Voss is one of the great brands in the marine industry with a track record of engineering excellence, renowned for manufacturing “best in class” marine products and related services. These attributes are visible in each of the business divisions:

- BVI produces ship components, such as seals used in propulsion systems and stabilizers. BVI is considered the market-leader in terms of quality and reliability, the primary requirements for this industry.
- BVR is a ship repair and conversion business, focused on complex, time-critical projects such as cruise liner extensions, refits for the offshore industry and mega-yacht refurbishments.
- BVOT provides pipe-handling equipment, such as elevators and automated floor-hands to oil and gas rig operators and contractors.
- BVS designs and builds high-end bespoke mega yachts for high net worth individuals.

The newly acquired business will continue to be run by its experienced management team, led by Dr. Herbert Aly, Group CEO. Dr. Aly has been CEO of the business for six years. One of STAR Capital’s advisers, Ernst von Freyberg, will join the Board as non-executive Chairman. Mr. von Freyberg was previously the Vice-Chairman of the supervisory board of Blohm+Voss Holdings AG.

Commenting on the announcement, Tony Mallin, CEO of Star Capital, said “We are pleased to have acquired a world class German engineering business; one in which we intend to invest by providing a significant capital commitment to drive growth and job creation”.

Paul Gough, Partner at Star Capital, said “We look forward to working in partnership with the Blohm & Voss management team and employees. Blohm & Voss is an excellent brand that we believe can be further developed on an international scale.”

Blohm + Voss CEO, Herbert Aly, said “I have built a strong working relationship with STAR Capital over the last few months and I am looking forward to working with their investment team in order to make the business even stronger. Opportunities exist in each of the markets within which the businesses operate. We hope to take advantage of these opportunities with the backing of our new owners who share our vision for the business.”

The transaction is due to complete early 2012, subject to regulatory approval.

Today’s announcement marks the 6th acquisition completed by STAR Capital in Germany, following its investments in BUS Group, GWE GmbH, Abellio GmbH, GSES GmbH, Alloheim Senioren-Residenzen AG and Pepcom GmbH.

Success of ISS Membership Mixer with Blohm+Voss at METS 2011

November 22, 2011

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) and presenting partner and a new Silver Supporter, Blohm+Voss hosted the Annual ISS METS Membership Mixer, on 15 November 2011. Isabelle Huet, an ISS Board Member and Sales Manager for Blohm+Voss joined the incoming ISS President Ken Hickling and ISS Executive Committee Board Representative, Norma Trease, in hosting this charming event.

ISS Membership Mixer with Blohm+Voss METS 2011 (2)

ISS Membership Mixer with Blohm+Voss at METS 2011

“Supporting the ISS METS Mixer has been a new, but very pleasant first experience for Blohm + Voss,” says Huet, continuing, “In the very cozy ambiance at the “Amsterdam Café” we were very pleased to welcome so many people from the industry to this informal come-together at the end of a very busy day at the Show and to see how much they enjoyed the event.”

Alexander Mozhayskiy Yacht Project Manager Valeria Trach Owners Representative Isabelle Huet Blohm+Voss (2)

Alexander Mozhayskiy - Yacht Project Manager, Valeria Trach - Owners Representative and Isabelle Huet - Blohm+Voss

Trease, one of the industry’s most recognizable leaders, comments, “On opening night of METS, the very well-attended ISS Members Mixer proved once again that high-level networking is one of the most valuable membership benefits. Combining the invitation list of new event sponsor, Blohm + Voss, with the diverse international ISS membership brought together a large group of industry professionals who filled the Amsterdam Cafe with conversation and debate in dozens of languages and represented an excellent cross-section of the global yachting community, including numerous builders, suppliers, press and several captains.”

Ken Hickling ISS Akzo Nobel Isabelle Huet Blohm+Voss Valeria Trach Owners Representative (2)

Ken Hickling - ISS Akzo Nobel, Isabelle Huet - Blohm+Voss and Valeria Trach - Owners Representative

Providing the opportunity to bring together superyachting industry leadership, captains and owners is a one of ISS’s key mandates. As with any not-for-profit organization, these efforts are largely supported by membership dues and sponsorship support. The commitment to providing support to those who are both in the marketplace and those who enjoy the fruits of the industry’s labor is a well rewarded marketing imitative for all ISS sponsors.

Ken Hickling observes, “A great evening attended by exhibitors and visitors to METS as well as a breakaway group from GSF.  Thanks to the support of Blohm & Voss, our new event sponsor, we were able to continue to host what has become one of the essential superyacht networking fixtures at the iconic METS. Members and their guests were so busy enjoying the hospitality that we had difficulty emptying the venue at the end.”

Blohm+Voss Partners with ISS for METS Membership Mixer

November 02, 2011

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) is pleased to announce that the German superyacht building shipyard Blohm+Voss is the new ISS Silver Supporter and Presenting Partner for the organisation’s annual METS Membership Mixer.

The METS Membership Mixer event draws a wide range of industry colleagues, from company executives to owners and captains and crew in the festive environment of the RAI’s Café Amsterdam. This year’s Mixer will be held on Tuesday 15 November 2011 from 17h30 –19h30.

Superyacht Palladium built by Blohm & Voss designed by Micheal Leach Design

Superyacht Palladium built by Blohm & Voss designed by Micheal Leach Design

Isabelle Huet, Sales Manager at Blohm & Voss comments “We are delighted to partner with the International Superyacht Society in creating another memorable METS industry networking event. We encourage all superyacht industry professionals, owners and captains to attend and we extend our invitation accordingly. Of course, we are thrilled that Palladium just been named the recipient of the ISS Design Award for 65+m superyachts. We believe it truly fitting to honour ISS members and the industry that nominated and voted for us by hosting the METS gathering.”

ABOUT BLOHM & VOSS

Since being founded by Hermann Blohm and Ernst Voss in 1877, Blohm+Voss has been working towards achieving a reputation as one of the world’s finest shipbuilders in both quality and performance. Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, the shipyard strives to meet each client’s requirements with personalised service focusing on engineering, craftsmanship and quality control. BLOHM+VOSS specializes in building luxury yachts from 70 meters to well over 160 metres.

Unique sophisticated solutions, impeccable prestige and long-term value are the cornerstones of BLOHM+VOSS’s success.  In 135 years of the BLOHM+VOSS shipbuilding tradition, many iconic yachts have been produced. Some of the exquisite luxury superyachts built by Blohm+Voss include the following:

Charter yacht SAVARONA 134m /440ft (1931)

M/Y LADY MOURA 105m /344ft (1990)

Motor yacht GOLDEN ODYSSEY 76m/249ft (1990)

M/Y ―ECO 74m / 243ft (1991)

MY ―A 119m / 390ft (2008)

Mega yacht MAYAN QUEEN IV 93m / 305ft (2008)

Superyacht PALLADIUM 96m / 315ft (2010)

Yacht ECLIPSE +162m / 531 ft (2010)

96m Blohm&Voss motor yacht Palladium by Michael Leach Design wins ISS Award

October 31, 2011

96m Blohm&Voss motor yacht Palladium (ex Orca) has won the Best Motor Yacht over 65m award at the ISS gala awards on Thursday 27 October during the Fort Lauderdale boat show. Palladium superyacht was designed by Michael Leach Design (MLD), that has received its fifth award this week.

Luxury Yacht Palladium designed by Micheal Leach Design

96m Blohm&Voss charter yacht Palladium by Micheal Leach Design

Michael Leach and Mark Smith, directors of MLD, are delighted with the recognition of their design studio’s five years of painstaking design development of the organic-sculpted Palladium superyacht, including all interior and exterior design as well as styling.

MLD’s previous designs include the 62m Amels motor yacht Solemar and 67m Feadship motor yacht Anna, as well as the interior of the 44m charter yacht Hemisphere, a highlight of the Monaco Yacht Show.

Luxury charter yacht Hemisphere

44m luxury charter catamaran yacht Hemisphere

The whole team at Michael Leach Design is ready for new challenges like Palladium yacht.

Below is an image gallery for Michael Leach Design.

Michael Leach Design Charter Yacht Images

AZTECA II - Main
AZTECA II - Main
AZTECA II - Main Salon
AZTECA II - Main Salon
AZTECA II - Sun deck
AZTECA II - Sun deck
AZTECA II - Upper Salon
AZTECA II - Upper Salon
AZTECA II - Master Cabin
AZTECA II - Master Cabin
AZTECA II - VIP Cabin
AZTECA II - VIP Cabin
More: Michael Leach Design Image Gallery

Blohm + Voss 96m Palladium superyacht by Michael Leach Design wins four awards

October 26, 2011

96m motor yacht Palladium designed by Michael Leach Design has received four Golden Neptunes at the prominent annual ShowBoats Design Awards at The Mar-o-Largo Club in Palm Beach. Blohm + Voss Palladium (ex ORCA) superyacht won in four categories, including interior and exterior, tender and bespoke furniture.

96m motor yacht Palladium designed by Michael Leach Design

96m motor yacht Palladium designed by Michael Leach Design

Michael Leach Design’s 96m Palladium superyacht is described by editors as “a new species entirely”, its organic exterior form totally in harmony with the living spaces it surrounds and creates. Unique and practical features abound from the main deck swimming pool and sports deck plus direct link to the spa. The flexibility of the lifting bulwarks allows “more combinations than a Rubik’s cube”, protecting the fleet of jetbikes in choppy seas. Michael Leach Design’s brief from the experienced owner was for “excellence and overhead space.”

Leach and Smith, who spent five years developing every aspect of the 96m Blohm + Voss luxury yacht Palladium with painstaking attention to detail, pulled together specialists including eight-times world offshore champion Steve Curtis MBE (also present at the awards) for the 40-knot Cougar yacht tender, plus Silverlining and Metrica for the furniture and fitting out respectively.

Four Golden Neptunes from ShowBoats Design Awards

Four Golden Neptunes from ShowBoats Design Awards for 96m luxury yacht Palladium

Michael Leach Design, whose motor yacht design portfolio includes the 62m Amels luxury charter yacht Solemar and 67m Feadship super yacht Anna, has won awards before but winning four in one go is unprecedented. Michael Leach Design also designed the interior of the newly-launched world´s largest 44m sailing catamaran Hemisphere.

Below is an image gallery for Michael Leach Design.

Michael Leach Design Charter Yacht Images

AZTECA II - Main
AZTECA II - Main
AZTECA II - Main Salon
AZTECA II - Main Salon
AZTECA II - Sun deck
AZTECA II - Sun deck
AZTECA II - Upper Salon
AZTECA II - Upper Salon
AZTECA II - Master Cabin
AZTECA II - Master Cabin
AZTECA II - VIP Cabin
AZTECA II - VIP Cabin
More: Michael Leach Design Image Gallery

88m MCA Motor Yacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design – The BV88MCA MLD

September 21, 2011

A presentation for the 88m MCA Superyacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design was held on September 21st at the Blohm + Voss stand during the Monaco Yacht Show 2011. Following the successful collaboration and delivery of 96m superyacht Palladium in 2010, Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design Ltd (MLD) teamed up once again on the  superyacht concept ICE which took about three months to develop and design. The ICE yacht will be MCA compliant, able to accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 cabins.

88m MCA Motor Yacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design – The BV88MCA MLD

88m MCA Motor Yacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design – The BV88MCA MLD

Mr. Cristian Schwarzwälder, Sales Director Yachts for Blohm + Voss, together with the designers Mick Leach and Mark Smith from Michael Leach Design Ltd unveiled a model of the 88m MCA Yacht Concept.

Mr. Cristian Schwarzwälder, Sales Director Yachts for Blohm + Voss, with designers Mick Leach and Mark Smith from Michael Leach Design Ltd unveiled a model of the 88m MCA Yacht Concept ICE at the Monaco Yacht Show

Mr. Cristian Schwarzwälder, Sales Director Yachts for Blohm + Voss, with designers Mick Leach and Mark Smith from Michael Leach Design Ltd unveiled a model of the 88m MCA Yacht Concept ICE at the Monaco Yacht Show

The 88m MCA ICE Superyacht Concept was developed for the discerning yacht connoisseur who wishes for his yacht to remain under 3,000GT and follow MCA regulations.

Dressed in dynamic and harmonic lines the “BV 88MCA MLD” offers all the ‘must-have’s’ of a modern, state-of-the art superyacht.

The BV88MCA MLD 88m MCA Motor Yacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design

The BV88MCA MLD 88m MCA Motor Yacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design

In addition to the economical aspects given by a large Motor Yacht complying with the MCA rules instead of SOLAS rules, various technical aspects of the BV 88MCA MLD yacht ICE also have been considered and optimized. Thus enabling Blohm + Voss to offer its worldwide acknowledged ‘made in Germany’ engineering quality and finest yacht building craftsmanship with the exquisite aesthetics of Michael Leach Design.

Profile of the 88m MCA Motor Yacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design

Profile of the 88m MCA Motor Yacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design

Technical Data of the ‘BV88MCA MLD’ – the 88m MCA Motor Yacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design

Naval Architecture: Blohm + Voss
Exterior Styling: Mick Leach Design Ltd
L.o.a.:  88.5 m   (290 ft)
Beam max: 15.4 m  (51 ft)
Draught: 4.0 m (13 ft)
Max. speed: 17.0 kn
Cruising speed: 16.0 kn
Range: 5,000 nm @ 15 kn
Class: Lloyd’s Register
GRT: < 3,000 GT
Propulsion: 2 x 2160 kW diesel via gearbox to fixed propeller
Manoeuvring System: 1x bow thruster
Passengers: Owner: 2
Guests: 10
Crew:   30

Motor Yacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss-and Michael Leach Design

Motor Yacht ICE Concept by Blohm + Voss-and Michael Leach Design

The State of the Industry Review 2011

August 11, 2011

All of the speakers for The State of the Industry Review 2011 have now been confirmed. The State of the Industry Review 2011 is co-hosted by Superyacht Business and Andrew Weir which is a free event by special invitation only that takes place on Thursday, 15th September at the Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU.

The speakers for the State of the Industry Review 2011 include Isabell Huet, sales manager of Blohm & Voss who will present ‘The Refit and Repair Market in 2011′. Jim Barclay of Lloyd’s Register who will present ‘Port State Control and the Paris MOU’, Mark Feltham, executive director of superyachts at Willis Insurance, who will present ‘Superyacht Insurance Today — and into the Future’, and Justin Turner, head of the superyacht practice at London law firm Curtis Davis Garrard who will present ‘Refits: Key Contract Issues to Consider’. The moderator for the Review will be the managing director of Andrew Weir Yacht Management, Steve Corkhill.

Isabelle Huet
Blohm + Voss | The refit and repair market in 2011
Isabelle is the sales manager at Blohm + Voss Shipyards in Hamburg, Germany. Over the past 10 years she has represented the yard at numerous international shows and events and has been actively involved in some of the industry’s most iconic new builds and most complex refits.

Justin Turner
Curtis Davis Garrard | Refit project management
Justin is a partner in the shipping law firm Curtis Davis Garrard where he heads up its superyacht practice. He specialises in shipbuilding, conversion and repair, and sale and purchase, and is routinely involved in the negotiation and management of build contracts for most types of vessels, including superyachts.

Mark Feltham
Willis Insurance | Superyacht insurance today — and into the future
Mark is executive director of superyachts at Willis, the world’s third largest insurance broker. His 14-strong specialist team handles insurances for some of the world’s most prestigious superyachts and currently his clients include three of the world’s five largest yachts, 12 of the largest 20 — and 28 of the largest 100.

Jim Barclay
Lloyd’s Register | Port State Control and the Paris MOU
Jim joined Lloyd’s Register in 1991 as an advisor on safety issues. As Port State Control became increasingly critical his expertise broadened to include this vital area and he is now in charge of Lloyd’s Register’s Port State Control. He is also manager of the Target Ship Section within the Classification Group.

Steve Corkhill
Andrew Weir Yacht Management | Moderator
Steve began his maritime career in 1972 when he joined P&O Containers as an engineering cadet. After working his way through all engineering ranks he joined Andrew Weir in 1997 as fleet manager. Today he is MD of Andrew Weir Yacht Management and a member of the Lloyd’s Register and Bureau Veritas technical and insurance committees.

Date: Thursday 15th September 2011
TIME : 1430hrs to 1730hrs
Venue: IPC Media Theatre, Blue Fin Building,
110 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SU

Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design to reveal a new 88m MCA Yacht Concept at the MYS 2011

July 28, 2011

The 2011 Monaco Yacht Show is getting closer with a number of designers and shipyards preparing to unveil their new and exciting design projects. One of these is the 88m Yacht Concept created in collaboration between the prestigious Blohm + Voss shipyard and the well known superyacht design studio Michael Leach Design.

Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach design to unveil a new 88m MCA motor yacht concept at the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show

Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach design to unveil a new 88m MCA motor yacht concept at the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show


Following the successful collaboration and delivery of the 96 metre motor yacht Palladium, Blohm + Voss and Michael Leach Design have teamed up to create a new MCA compliant 88m superyacht concept, which does not exceed 3000 GT.

Full details about the 88m Blohm & Voss Yacht concept designed by Michael Leach Design will be revealed at the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show, which will take place from 21st to 24th September.

The prestigious Blohm + Voss superyacht building company is well known for their very large custom and technically challenging luxury yachts. Their portfolio includes luxury motor yachts as well as sailing yachts. The Blohm & Voss yacht fleet includes such famous superyachts as the largest privately owned mega yacht ECLIPSE, the stunning and unique motor yacht ‘A’ as well as yachts Mayan Queen, Lady Moura, Golden Oddysey, Enigma and charter yacht Savarona.

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