When the Steel hull came to light a year and a half ago, the disruptive design was already apparent. Now Lürssen in Schacht-Audorf is celebrating after the Shipyard anniversary the launch of "Cosmos", which Australian designer Marc Newson gave a curvy, futuristic shape.
First Lürssen with methanol fuel cells
Tugs are still pulling the 114 metres from the floating dock into the Kiel Canal, but methanol fuel cells will also power the six-decker during the upcoming sea trials. Freudenberg e-Power Systems from Munich supplied a 1 MW system in which a reformer converts methanol back into hydrogen and generates electricity. The fuel cells are intended to ensure the silent operation of "Cosmos": Either anchoring for 15 days in a CO2-neutral manner or travelling more than 1,000 nautical miles at low speed.
Futuristic lines by Marc Newson
Marc Newson is a newcomer to yachting, his first design was the 140 metre long "Solaris". This time, a visionary owner commissioned the Australian to create something unique with which he could discover the world. The raised bow and stern hull, from which a large dinghy slides safely into the water like a rescue cruiser, symbolise robustness. The 59-metre explorer "Senses" already relied on a similar principle in 1999.
"Working with an extremely creative client has given us the rare opportunity to push the boundaries," says Marc Newson. "Everything from the smallest detail to the silhouette - outside, inside and everything in between - is our design. We were therefore able to utilise and explore all creative possibilities without restraint. This liberating freedom allowed the project to evolve joyfully and organically, resulting in a satisfying novelty and coherence whose aesthetic is embedded in our lexicon."
Lürssen realised a high proportion of glass and steel
The "Cosmos" superstructures, which are also made of steel, are characterised by a high proportion of glass. Rather unusual for unwavering explorers. The glass dome on the top deck, under which the owner's office is located and which is connected to a tunnel to the roof terrace behind the radomes, is representative of this. The fully glazed bridge deck below is enclosed by a glass bulwark.
Lürssen developed a customised solution to bend large sections of thick glass that are free of unevenness and offer a crystal-clear view. The bow is no less a feat of glass engineering. A ribbon of windows runs around the flanks of the forward upper deck, where the guest cabins are distributed, and ends at the front in the glass bow skirt of the panoramic lounge.
Robust 114 metres for worldwide travel
"This is a very special project that coincides with our 150th anniversary," says Peter Lürßen. "While it's true that as a specialised shipyard, no two yachts that leave our halls are ever the same, there are some that leave an indelible mark on our history - COSMOS is undoubtedly one of those yachts." The 114.20 metre long steel hull is reinforced to ice class 1D and pushes safely through light ice. "Cosmos" offers the owner the opportunity to explore all five major oceans and all seven continents.
Japanese owner reports on Socials
Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa has revealed himself as the client of "Cosmos" via videos on his Instagram page. The 47-year-old founder of Zozotown, the Japanese Zalando, also reported on the launch spectacle with long edits of the journey by private jet and helicopter as well as the boarding of the yacht via a side hull opening.
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Technical data "Cosmos"
- Overall length: 114.2 m
- Shipyard: Lürssen
- Exterior designer: Marc Newson
- Interior designer: Marc Newson
- Construction: Lürssen
