A motor yacht, a mammoth, a masterpiece is hitting the high seas for trials, and it’s Lürssen’s biggest build: the astonishing Ali Baba! The 466-foot superyacht will dwarf the world’s largest sailing yacht, Koru (416 feet), and even the highly regarded Solaris (460 feet), owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. A new reign is on the horizon as Project Ali Baba embarks on sea trials near Brunsbüttel, Germany. According to Boat International, she is expected to be delivered in December 2024.
The robust $450 million Lürssen superyacht is the same goliath that made headlines in December 2023 after colliding with an internal gate where she was being built and briefly encountering a bridge. The mishap inadvertently provided a premature glimpse of one of the biggest luxury vessels in the world. As expected, the shipbuilders have shrouded it in secrecy, while yacht enthusiasts are eager to learn more about the pleasure craft that began construction in 2019.
What catches the eye first is the typical Lürssen elongated bow. The Ali Baba superyacht boasts four expansive decks with a humongous aft deck and not one but two helipads. The 466-footer will sleep 24 guests in 12 staterooms serviced by a crew of 45. With twin MTU engines she boasts a top speed of 20 knots and a range of over 3,000 nautical miles.
It’s poised to make waves of wealth and grandeur once delivered. According to Superyachtfan, the 9,400 GT vessel was owned by Leonid Mikhelson, a Russian-Israeli businessman worth $28.5 billion, according to Forbes. The popular yacht publication also mentioned that Project Ali Baba was sold during production. With its delivery not too far away, we are sure the real owner of this outstanding Lürssen beauty will soon be revealed.
