Superyachts and the super-rich go hand in hand, but looking at the way Middle Eastern royalty is escaping the scorching temperatures of the UAE and heading to breezier waters in Spain, it’s clear these luxury vessels and pristine sanctuaries are a match made in deep-pocketed heavens. The most recent sighting was of the 464-foot superyacht Yas at the Port of Malaga.
Valued at $180 million, the yacht quickly achieved celebrity status, drawing the attention of residents and visitors alike since its arrival at the start of the Málaga Fair this August, per La Vanguardia. Some are even calling Yas a multi-million-dollar maritime monument, doubling as a tourist attraction for curious onlookers.
This grand vessel has an extraordinary past. Originally delivered in 1978 as a naval frigate named HNLMS Piet Hein, Yas today stands among the largest yachts in the world. She accommodates up to 60 guests and carries a crew of 56, blending her naval origins with lavish luxury. Earlier this year, she stole the show during a stopover on the Costa del Sol before continuing her voyage across the Mediterranean in May.
Now serving as the floating palace of Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Yas has shifted from the cameras and admirers of Spain to the quieter yet equally majestic port of Nafplio on Greece’s Peloponnese mainland. Large enough for cruise ships and home to ferries, cargo vessels, and fishing boats, the port offers ample space for Yas to anchor.
Meanwhile, her 61-year-old billionaire owner, who also serves as one of the deputy prime ministers of the UAE, can soak in the charm of Nafplio’s historic Old Town. With its dolphin-inspired lines and abundant use of glass, the yacht is bound to stand out in Greece as a humongous whale of fortune.
From Malaga’s newest tourist magnet to Greece’s most opulent fixture-
By reputation, Yas was once a deadly warship of the Dutch Navy. Today, thanks to her regal ownership, she exudes such glamour that one can scarcely believe her wartime history. Ranked as the 14th-longest private yacht in the world, she owes her striking silhouette to French designer Jacques Pierrejean of Pierrejean Design Studio, who transformed the frigate into a floating work of art fit for royalty.
Her technical credentials are equally impressive. With 42,000 horsepower under her sleek profile, Yas boasts a helipad, an automatic stern platform, multiple swimming pools, a full spa, a beach club and lounge bar, and a state-of-the-art navigation system. A spacious garage stores tenders and water toys, ensuring every indulgence at sea is within reach.
Capable of reaching a top speed of 26 knots, she is also among the fastest superyachts in the world. Instantly recognizable for her distinctive sky-blue dome, Yas commands a unique presence on the seas, unmatched by any other pleasure craft afloat today. Yas yacht is currently cruising in the Aegean Sea, per Marine Traffic.
Only last week, Luxurylaunches reported Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan, aka Prince Fazza, was cruising aboard the $180 million Quattroelle in Tarragona. With Yas dazzling Malaga, it seems Spain’s ports are fast becoming the summer playground of UAE royalty and their superyachts.
