A new lease of life was bestowed on the superyacht Indian Empress (ex-Al Mirqab) when it was auctioned. Reborn as the H3 motor yacht, it became a beacon of luxury, showcasing the apex of a comprehensive rebuild and the prowess of a renowned shipyard. No child’s play, Oceanco, along with The A Group, stripped the ship down to her hull in 2018 and reborn the vessel as H3.
This landed the owner, Saudi billionaire Waleed bin Ibrahim al Ibrahim, chairman and owner of MBC Group, with a boat 10 meters longer, featuring a 23-foot-long infinity pool, a beach club, and a climate-controlled winter garden.
The niceties of this glorious luxury vessel are many, but what’s more important to reveal is not just the fancy features but the fact that this 344-foot Oceanco vessel is listed for sale for $320 million with Edmiston. The 3521 GT vessel is the marriage of modernity, lavishness, and lifestyle, making it ideal for a seafaring billionaire. It is ready to go without any wait and is a mammoth that sleeps 20 guests in 10 guest cabins. Let’s explore the other plusses in detail below:
Handsome, hypnotic, and very achievable, H3 superyacht-
UK design house Reymond Langton, which handled both the interiors and exteriors on H3, has placed several striking elements throughout the boat. It is easy to point out the highlight of the room, for instance, the interactive video wall that creates a passage between her main deck welcome lounge and main salon, or the forward-facing whirlpool on the sundeck.
The pop of color in subtle, timeless spaces and more. H3 appears to be a canvas in ivory, dressed with hues like tan and taupe to stick to the theme of timelessness.
The beauty is not lackluster; instead, it is highlighted with lights, large windows, and statement pieces that get the glory and the space to amplify their effect. Light marbles, French fabrics, and objets d’art gin suites and salons add the much-needed splashes of color without disturbing the serenity of H3. The kingly owner’s suite has its own aft terrace. The deck is bedecked with a climate-controlled winter garden, and a lounge doubles as a cinema.
The extravagant yacht includes a massive spa and wellness area, complete with a hair and nail salon, an infinity pool, a gym at the top deck, and even a touch-and-go helipad. To make the most of the azure blue waters, the fancy beach club is packed with an armada of toys, tenders, and scuba gear, in garages on the main deck. H3 is powered by MTU engines boasting a top speed of 24 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots. The stunning H3 superyacht is listed for $320 million with Edmiston.
Who is Saudi billionaire Waleed bin Ibrahim al Ibrahim?
Waleed bin Ibrahim al Ibrahim, founder and chairman of the Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC Group), is a recognized and respected name in the media industry in the Middle East and North Africa. The 62-year-old businessman hails from an affluent family and pursued higher education in the United States and London. In 1991, he founded MBC in London, launching the first independent Arabic satellite TV station.
In 2003, he also launched Al Arabiya, a 24-hour news channel. One of eight brothers born in Saudi Arabia, Al Ibrahim was the 27th richest Arab in the Middle East, with his wealth estimated at US$10.9 billion in 2016. The tycoon was detained during the 2017 Saudi Arabian anti-corruption purge but was released after a few months. In May 2021, Al Ibrahim was honored with the King Abdulaziz Order of Merit for his significant contributions to media and broadcasting in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the highest civilian honor in the country.
