A busy 12 months at Lürssen with superyacht launches and yard acquisitions
Boardwalk by Lürssen – image courtesy of Klaus Jordan
Lürssen’s recent activity in the large-yacht sector reflects both strategic repositioning and ongoing technical ambition. The yard has exited naval and military shipbuilding to focus on luxury yachts, while expanding its capacity through the acquisition of the former Nobiskrug shipyard to strengthen new-build and refit capabilities.
This period is marked by the launch of the 117‑metre Boardwalk, the delivery of the 142‑metre Dragonfly, and the debut of the 114‑metre Cosmos. Each project demonstrates Lürssen’s focus on owner-driven design, long-range capability and technically complex build features, with a consistent emphasis on engineering detail and large-scale custom construction.
It’s been a busy 12 months for the yard which, in early 2025, completed the acquisition of the Nobiskrug shipyard in Rendsburg, following Nobiskrug’s insolvency in late 2024. Under the arrangement, Nobiskrug will operate as part of Lürssen’s neighbouring yard, Lürssen‑Kröger, effectively integrating its facilities and capacity under the Lürssen umbrella.
The takeover was positioned as a rescue for the historic shipyard, founded in 1905 and known for luxury custom superyachts, with almost all staff reportedly agreeing to transfer under a company mechanism. Lürssen meanwhile has gained additional production capacity, which it plans to deploy across its new-build and refit business units, while suspended or delayed projects, including a 62 metre yacht, were moved to Lürssen’s facilities for completion.
Also on the 12-month ticket, Lürssen completed the sale of its naval division NVL to Rheinmetall, formally exiting military shipbuilding to focus exclusively on luxury and custom yachts. The deal was announced on 14 September 2025 and is set to formally complete in early 2026, pending regulatory/antitrust approval.
This strategic repositioning allows the company to concentrate resources on its core strength – large, high-end yachts – while reducing exposure to the naval sector. The move aligns with Lürssen’s broader expansion plans, including the acquisition of Nobiskrug to increase new-build and refit capacity.
Lürssen launches 117 metre Boardwalk
Now Lürssen has launched its 117 metre Boardwalk, a project shaped by significant owner involvement and intended as a family-focused yacht. The vessel touched the water for the first time on 5 December 2025 and now moves into final outfitting ahead of delivery in 2026. According to the yard, the owners’ contributed to “everything from the general arrangement and onboard flow to the interior and exterior styling,” guiding the yacht’s profile and layout.
The design studios of Frank Woll and Amy Halffman developed Boardwalk’s classical exterior lines and interior approach. Expansive decks are arranged to support family life onboard, with varied entertainment areas integrated across the yacht. Features include a large gym, a putting green and two helipads.
Boardwalk will complete its remaining outfitting at Lürssen’s pier before handover next year.
Cosmos destined for global exploration
Lürssen also launched the 114 metre Cosmos on 9 August 2025, marking a major build in the yard’s 150th anniversary year. Designed inside and out by Marc Newson for an owner seeking a distinctive platform for global exploration, the yacht departs from conventional styling with a sculptural profile and unified architectural approach.
Peter Lürssen says: “There are some [yachts] that leave an indelible mark on our history – Cosmos is undoubtedly one of those yachts.”
Newson highlights the creative freedom behind the project, noting that the team designed “everything from the smallest detail to the silhouette – outside, inside and everything in between,” describing the process as a “joyful, organic evolution.”
A central feature of Cosmos is the glass-domed private owner’s study and sky terrace, achieved through a bespoke glass-bending process developed by Lürssen to deliver large, clear, curved panels with uninterrupted 360-degree views.
Glass elements continue across the upper cabin deck, where a full-height band encircles the level, and into a forward observation lounge beneath the helipad. Aft, a balcony overlooks the main deck, while the exterior layout includes a pool and Jacuzzi arrangement, seating areas and a dry dock with a sledge system for tender deployment.
Built for long-range, remote cruising, Cosmos spans six decks and carries Ice Class 1D reinforcement. The owner has also committed to the research installation of a methanol fuel cell that uses methanol to generate hydrogen before converting it into electricity, a complex process that supports the vessel’s exploratory brief.
Dragonfly features diesel-electric hybrid propulsion
At the end of 2024, Lürssen delivered the 142 metre Dragonfly, completing the custom build formerly known as Project Alibaba. The yacht features exterior styling by Germán Frers and interior and exterior social spaces curated by Nauta Design.
Managing partner Peter Lürssen says: “Dragonfly is a large, powerful yacht that can cruise efficiently anywhere in the world, fitted with a highly efficient diesel-electric hybrid propulsion concept developed by Lürssen’s in-house engineering specialists.”
At approximately 9,500 GT, the yacht includes a glass-bottom pool on the main deck, a cinema, a spa, a water sports centre and a dedicated business deck with an office, gym, games room and helicopter hangar.
A notable technical feature is the double-folding platform system at the stern, which allows the deck above to fold down to create an enlarged beach club with direct water access.
Mario Pedol, president of Nauta Design, says the design work has produced “this outstanding combination of atmospheres and unique lifestyle,” highlighting the views and open perspectives across the decks. Dragonfly is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system and an electric Azimuth Pod Drive, with twin diesel engines driving controllable-pitch propellers through individual gearboxes fitted with PTI/PTO units for electric propulsion or energy generation. Dragonfly was the fourth Lürssen delivery of 2024, following Luminance (138.8 m), Kismet (122 m) and Haven (82 m).
Long-standing collaboration powers refit division
Also in 2024, Lürssen and Rolls-Royce Power Systems agreed a framework arrangement to streamline cooperation on yacht refits. The agreement formalised long-standing collaboration between Lürssen Yacht Refit & Services and Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division, which provides MTU propulsion systems widely used on large yachts built by Lürssen.
The arrangement set shared standards, simplified procedures and wss intended to reduce turnaround times, particularly for work involving MTU Series 4000 engines.
Refits typically occur during scheduled dry-dockings or when a new owner seeks interior or systems changes. The cooperation also supports upgrades to propulsion technology, enabling yachts to adopt more efficient systems where desired.
Taken together, Boardwalk, Dragonfly and Cosmos illustrate the breadth of Lürssen’s current output from family-led layouts and hybrid propulsion concepts to highly architectural design solutions. For owners and captains following the yard’s development pipeline, these launches indicate not only the scale of work moving through Lürssen’s facilities but also the level of technical ambition driving its recent fleet. With more projects advancing through outfitting and design stages, the shipyard maintains strong momentum across its custom build programme.
