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Luxury ship ‘ALIBABA’ again on test drive in the North Sea
Bremen. The Lürssen shipyard has once again sent the 142 metre long and 20 metre wide mega yacht ‘ALIBABA’ on a trial voyage lasting several days on the Weser and North Sea. Delivery to the (new) owner - who is still a secret - is scheduled for later this year. The luxury yacht is currently the 23rd largest yacht in the world.
Lürssen has produced a well-balanced and stylishly modern ship architecture here, which with its striking exterior elements, the elongated bow and the grey paint finish is reminiscent of a navy speedboat.
The design comes from the Argentinian design studio ‘German Frers’. Inside, the company ‘Nauta Design’ was allowed to let off steam.
23rd place among the world's largest yachts
In terms of size, the ‘ALIBABA’ ranks 13th in the history of the Lürssen company.
The luxury yacht has 4 passenger decks, a helicopter landing pad and a specially designed hangar for the aircraft.
The large yacht is powered by a highly efficient diesel-electric hybrid drive concept.
Maximum speed of up to 24 knots is specified.
The interior of the yacht offers space for a total of 69 passengers - including 24 guests and 45 crew members.
The story behind the still new ‘ALIBABA’ is just as remarkable as its construction.
Last December, a minor accident occurred during the undocking of the yacht, which damaged the ship and slightly injured an employee.
A technical defect in the dock gate allowed water to leak out of the dock, pushing the yacht's nose into the dock curtain of the building dock.
Ownership is confusing
The mega yacht was originally commissioned by the Russian billionaire Lenoid Michelson. Due to sanctions - related to the outbreak of war in and against Ukraine - Michelson was unable to take delivery of the yacht.
The ship is registered to the company: OTAON MERIDIAN LTD.
However, the ‘new’ owner is being kept secret. The yacht is valued at US$ 450 million.
Lürssen has already delivered several well-known luxury yachts in recent years, including: ‘Dilbar’, “Azzam”, “Amadea”, “Nord” and also the “Scheherazade”.
