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Gigayachts from KielGNY builds hulls for A&R

Martin Hager

 · 24.03.2026

Gigayachts from Kiel: GNY builds hulls for A&RPhoto: GNY
German Naval Yards recently received an order from the Bremen shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen to build a 100-metre-plus hull for a gigayacht. The world's largest sailing yacht, "Sailing Yacht A", measuring 143 metres in length, was also built at the shipyard in Kiel.
The Kiel shipyard German Naval Yards recently received an order from Abeking & Rasmussen to build a yacht hull over 100 metres long. At the same time, work on the 114 metre long superyacht ELF is in full swing. The shipyard is thus continuing its tradition of building technologically sophisticated large yachts.

German Naval Yards (GNY) in Kiel has been awarded the contract to build the hull for a mega yacht over 100 metres in length. The client is the Bremen shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen (A&R), which is known worldwide for its expertise in the construction of customised superyachts. The long-established shipyard recently made a name for itself with the 118 metre long "Liva O" caused a sensation.

The A&R order to GNY comprises the construction of a steel hull with aluminium superstructure. The order emphasises the partnership and cooperation between the two German shipyards. No information was provided about the client of the yacht or further details of the new build. The cooperation demonstrates the division of labour in the German yacht building industry: GNY is responsible for the hull construction, while A&R is responsible for the overall coordination and ultimately the fitting out and outfitting of the large format.

Construction of the 114-metre ELF is progressing in parallel

In the covered building dock of the Kiel shipyard, the Work on the superyacht ELF ahead. The new build, which is scheduled for delivery in 2028, measures 113.5 metres in length, 14.80 metres in width and has a draught of 3.85 metres. The yacht with an interior volume of 4,950 gross tonnes is a design by US studio Pindaros LLC . London-based Andy Waugh Yacht Design assisted with the exterior lines, while French expertise came into play for the interior design, namely from Laurent Champeau. As with the current order, the hull is made of steel and the superstructure of aluminium. The ship is designed for 18 guests and 39 crew members. Highlights include a 20 metre long pool.

Shipyard infrastructure and tradition

German Naval Yards is part of the European group of companies CMN NAVAL, headquartered in France. The shipyard continues a shipbuilding tradition that goes back over 185 years. It emerged from the surface shipbuilding division of HDW and has a modern infrastructure. The largest dry dock in the Baltic Sea region measures 426 metres in length. A powerful 900-tonne gantry crane completes the equipment. This technical infrastructure enables the construction of yachts over 100 metres in length. The shipyard has produced some of the most technologically sophisticated yachts in the world, including the legendary 143 metre long "Sailing Yacht A".

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Martin Hager

Martin Hager

Editor in Chief YACHT

Martin Hager is editor-in-chief of the titles YACHT and BOOTE EXCLUSIV and has been working for Delius Klasing Verlag for 20 years. He was born in Heidelberg in 1978 and started sailing at the age of six, in an Opti of course. This was soon followed by 420s, Sprinta Sport and 470s, which he also sailed on the regatta course with his brother. His parents regularly took him on charter trips through the Greek and Balearic Islands. Even at a young age, it was clear to him that he wanted to turn his passion for water sports into a career. After graduating from high school and completing an internship at the Rathje boatbuilding company in Kiel, it was clear that he did not want to become a classic boatbuilder. Instead, he successfully studied shipbuilding and marine engineering in the Schleswig-Holstein state capital and focused on yacht design wherever he could. His diploma thesis dealt with the “Testing of a new speed prediction method for sailing yachts”. In 2004, the superyacht magazine BOOTE EXCLUSIV was looking for an editor with technical and nautical background knowledge, a position that was perfect for Martin Hager. The application was successful and a two-year traineeship was arranged. After twelve years as an editor, the editorial team changed and he took over responsibility for BOOTE EXCLUSIV as editor-in-chief in 2017. After long-time YACHT editor-in-chief Jochen Rieker moved to the role of publisher, Martin Hager also took over the position of editor-in-chief of Europe's largest sailing magazine YACHT, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, at the beginning of 2023. When he's not working on topics for the two water sports titles, Martin Hager likes to go out on the water himself - preferably with kite and wingfoil equipment or on a little after-work trip across the Alster.

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