"L Symphony" was recently transported from the halls of the Stahlbau Nord shipyard on a heavy-duty pontoon. The 87.9 metre long ship had undergone its conversion there from an offshore supply vessel to a private expedition yacht. Lloyd Werft managed the project at the Bremerhaven shipyard. The ship was built in 2015 at ASL Shipyard in Indonesia as a commercial supply vessel for the oil and gas industry. The design featured an open working deck and a high bow for transoceanic voyages under load. These characteristic features of a working vessel were fundamentally changed during the conversion phase. The shipyard has not released details of the design team. The project remained largely under wraps until departure.
Extensive structural changes
The 19-month conversion significantly changed the silhouette of the ship. Four additional decks were built in the foredeck area, giving the former workboat a completely new profile. A structure was installed at the stern to serve as a helipad. The superstructures extend over a large part of the original working area. The shipyard retained the basic steel structure but added extensive aluminium superstructures. The new decks create additional space for guest cabins and lounge areas. The original offshore design with its robust bow remains recognisable, but has been integrated into the yacht aesthetic. The window fronts in the new deck superstructures indicate spacious interiors. The Lloyd shipyard is equipping the ship, which displaces around 3000 tonnes, with an interior of superyacht standard. The steel structure, originally painted red, now has a cream-coloured paint finish.
From workboat to luxury yacht
ASL Shipyard built the "L Symphony" in 2015 as a pure workboat for use in the offshore industry. The open deck was used to store equipment and supplies. The high bow enabled safe journeys over long distances, even in heavy seas and with a full load. This robust design now forms the basis for an expedition yacht. The steel construction guarantees stability and range for worldwide operations. Conversion projects of this kind utilise the existing structure of commercial ships and convert them for private purposes. Some of these exceptional projects are currently being remodelled or are in the project planning phase. The robust designs offer advantages for long-distance voyages in demanding waters. Lloyd Werft is currently finalising the outfitting work. The schedule for completion and delivery is not yet known.
"L Symphony" goes on a worldwide tour
The new deck superstructures create space for extensive guest areas. Once the work has been completed, the ship will have several lounges, cabins and service areas. The helipad at the stern will increase mobility in remote regions. The expedition orientation combines the robustness of the original offshore design with modern yacht comfort. Stahlbau-Nord in Bremerhaven provided the necessary infrastructure for this major project. The facility has the capacity for ships of this size. Lloyd Werft provided the expertise for the yacht conversion. The project demonstrates the trend towards converting commercial ships for private use.
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
