New construction on the crest of a wave

Sixteen years ago, Burgess formed its New Construction division to project manage the build of superyachts over 40 metres on behalf of owners. Since then, the team of technical project managers, naval architects, and engineers has supervised new build projects in 23 shipyards across three continents for a total value of approximately USD 5.5 billion. Burgess holds the record of having been involved in more new builds between 40m and 180m than any other specialist.

Projects completed in the first decade include AMEVI (80m/262.5ft) and SUNRAYS (85.5 m/280.4ft) at Oceanco, MAYAN QUEEN IV (92m/301.8ft) at Blohm+Voss, VAVA II (96m/315ft) at Devonport Yachts, SAINT NICOLAS (70.2m/230.3ft) and the extraordinary TOPAZ (147.3m/483.1ft) at Lurssen, BATON ROUGE (62.5m/205.1ft) at Icon Yachts, LUNA (43m/141.1ft), ANNAEVA (56m/183.7ft and SEANNA (65m/213.3ft) at Benetti, AL MIRQAB (133.2m/436.4ft) at Kusch Yachts and several yachts at both Amels and Turquoise Yachts.

Recent milestone projects include the 180m/590.6ft AZZAM, the world's largest and fastest superyacht built by Lurssen and delivered in 2013, and the 156m/511.8ft DILBAR, delivered in 2016 and classified as the world's largest yacht by gross tonnage. Burgess New Construction was appointed as the owner's technical consultant and project manager on AZZAM to develop the brief and commission the technically complex build, while the Espen Øino designed DILBAR is the second Lurssen new build project over 100m that Burgess has managed for the same owner.

2016 also saw the successful delivery of ALBATROSS (72m/236.2ft) from Delta and JOY (70m/229.7ft) from Feadship, Royal Van Lent. The prolific extent of the division's impressive project portfolio continues this year with several new deliveries. Last month saw the successful delivery of the CRN built 74m/242.8ft CLOUD 9 for a repeat new build client. Burgess New Construction was appointed owner's representative and played a key role from the early stages, beginning with developing the technical specification and extending through the build to responsibility for technical review, inspection and acceptance, project management, on-site supervision and coordination of consultants.

The 42m/137.8ft Benetti Veloce 140 WILLOW was sold by Burgess as a new build last year and was also delivered to her owner last month.

Delivery of the 110m/360.9ft Oceanco, JUBILEE, the largest yacht built to date in the Netherlands is imminent and her striking exterior styling by Igor Lobanov is already turning heads. Built to the Passenger Yacht Code, Burgess New Construction provided technical consultancy and project management throughout the entire build process. JUBILEE is also offered for sale by Burgess as exclusive Worldwide Central Agents.

Also nearing completion is HASNA (73m/239.5ft) at Feadship, Royal Van Lent with an exterior and interior design by RWD. Built for a long term Burgess client, HASNA's stand-out features include an eight metre green slate tiled infinity swimming pool on the main deck aft, an extensive gym and cardio room in the full beam beach club with opening terraces, a cinema, and crew quarters and facilities in excess of MLC.

Looking forward, four projects are currently under construction in Europe and due for delivery in 2018. Two of these are over 100 metres and the other two inhabit the 75 to 95 metre size range. 2019 will see another vessel in excess of 100 metres delivered as well as a 55+ metre. Several projects between 50 and 120 metres are also under development.

It is a testament to the Burgess New Construction team's experience in commercial, naval and passenger ship building combined with their project management skills that many superyachts in their new build portfolio are truly ground breaking in terms of design, style, technical specification, and performance.