The Kiel-based shipyard German Naval Yards – which most recently specialized primarily in naval projects – has secured a “significant” order from the superyacht segment. It concerns the “Elf” project.
The superyacht with a gross tonnage of 4,950 will be 114 m long, 15.8 m wide and is scheduled for delivery in 2028. Roger Friedrich of Junonia Yacht Consultants, representing the owner, emphasized in a statement today: “In German Naval Yards, we have found the perfect partner to realize our vision for Project ELF. Their technical expertise, attention to detail and extensive experience in major yacht building projects make them the ideal choice for this superyacht.”
According to the shipyard, the contract relates to the “completion of the extraordinary 114 m superyacht with the project name Elf”. The details of the work involved were not disclosed. According to reports, a newbuilding project from the Bremerhaven shipyard Dörries Yards has so far run under the same project name “Elf” – later known as “Arwen”, also 114 m in length.
German Naval Yards now wants to consolidate its position “among the world’s leading specialists for the construction of large and distinctive yachts”. Now part of the European group CMN Naval, the shipyard has already been involved in a number of complex yacht projects, such as the construction of the 143-meter Sailing Yacht A. “With over two decades of experience in yacht building and a shipyard history rich in tradition spanning several generations, German Naval Yards has repeatedly realized major projects that set new standards with their dimensions, designs and technical performance. The Kiel shipyard is the birthplace of some of the world’s most ambitious private vessels, a testament to German precision, engineering and craftsmanship on a grand scale,” the statement said. No details were given as to whether the plan could have an impact on the shipyard’s naval shipbuilding activities.
Project Elf is designed for 18 guests and 39 crew members. “Her design combines state-of-the-art technical finesse with striking exterior style, developed by Pindaros LLC in collaboration with Andy Waugh Yacht Design, as well as excellent interior design by Pindaros LLC and Laurent Champeau,” the shipyard writes. Standout features include a 20m pool, generous deck areas and numerous bespoke design elements that will be gradually unveiled as the construction project progresses.
CEO Rino Brugge said: “With Project Elf, we are once again underlining German excellence and craftsmanship in a vessel of exceptional size and sophistication. This project reaffirms our commitment to creating some of the most impressive yachts in the world.”
German Naval Yards – formed from the surface shipbuilding operations of the former Howaldtswerke Detsche Werft (HDW) and ADM Kiel and the former Lindenau shipyard – was founded by the Privinvest Group of the Safa family of entrepreneurs. Privinvest specializes in the planning and construction of naval and commercial vessels as well as superyacht projects and has shipyard locations in Europe and the Gulf region. Since the reorganization, part of the group has been operating as CMN Naval with locations in Germany (German Naval Yards), France (CMN Cherbourg) and England (Isherwoods Newcastle). In Kiel, the infrastructure includes the largest dry dock in the Baltic region (426 m long) and the 900 t gantry crane.
