On April 12th, German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen newest and largest superyacht, codenamed Project Celerius, began sea trials in the North Sea. The 118-metre motor yacht, also known as Hull 6507 and considered one of the biggest yachts ever built in Germany, was launched in December 2022 and has since undergone outfitting.
Represented by Cornelsen & Partner, the American owner is set to take delivery later this year. The last time the new flagship of Abeking & Rasmussen was seen was in January while transported from the shipyard’s Lemwerder facilities.
Design and Features of Project Celerius
The yacht features interior and exterior design by Parisian architect Joseph Dirand, known for his minimalist aesthetic and respect for the traditions created by Le Corbusier, John Pawson, Peter Zumthor, Carlo Scarpa and Eero Saarinen. The yacht has a sleek, uninterrupted silhouette.
There is little information on the notable features of the vessel. Although it looks like she will have
- a large aft deck swimming pool;
- a marble firepit on the sundeck;
- an underwater Neptune lounge;
- a decent crow’s nest;
- a helipad aft;
- and a submarine among the other water toys.
All things considered, André Jonker, senior project manager at Abeking & Rasmussen, expressed satisfaction with the build process, stating that “the work has more than paid off. We have once again succeeded in building an exceptional yacht”.
Celerius vs Aviva
Hull 6507 is now the largest motor yacht built by Abeking & Rasmussen. She supersedes the 98.4-metre Aviva delivered in 2017. Aviva is famous for her custom general arrangement and interior. As the yacht owner is a vivid fan of paddle tennis, he has a full-sized indoor court onboard, among other features.
Before Aviva, 86-metre yacht B2 was the flagship of Abeking & Rasmussen, one of the oldest shipyards in Germany.
Collaboration and Build Process
Abeking & Rasmussen collaborated with Berlin-based company Photon, whose team laser welded the shell plates for the exterior and ensured a precise finish. They also assisted in placing anchor pockets below the waterline, with which the yacht has uninterrupted lines.
With its large pool, beach club, and other luxurious features, Celerius is to become a coveted addition to the superyacht market. Theoretically, the sea trials mark the final phase of preparations before the yacht delivery.
