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109m Lürssen Superyacht O3 Nears Delivery Following Sea Trials
After nearly eight years in build and an exceptionally discreet construction period, the 109-metre Lürssen superyacht O3 has emerged for sea trials, offering the first official glimpse of one of the yard’s most secretive recent projects. Newly released images capture the explorer yacht putting her systems through their paces ahead of an anticipated delivery in the first quarter of 2026.
Previously known as Project Shackleton, O3 has remained largely under wraps since work commenced in 2018. Her recent appearance marks the first time she has been seen beyond the builder’s facilities since 2022, when she departed the Peene-Werft site. She was subsequently transferred to one of Lürssen’s floating drydocks in Hamburg, where final outfitting and a series of exterior modifications were completed.
The project was originally sold in March 2018 by Moran Yacht & Ship and is understood to have changed hands during construction in 2022. Following the second sale, the yacht underwent a length extension to accommodate several design revisions, most notably a heightened aft section crowned by a substantial dedicated helideck, reinforcing her long-range, expedition-ready credentials.
O3’s exterior and naval architecture were first developed by Norwegian studio Salt Ship Design, reflected in her axe-style bow and forward-sited white superstructure, though in 2022 she was significantly restyled by Espen Øino. Her interiors, initially conceived by Adam Lay, have since been reimagined by CG Design.
Engineered for global exploration, O3 pairs an ice-classed steel hull with an aluminium superstructure, enabling operations in demanding and remote cruising grounds. Her original specification includes significant cargo-carrying capability, a heli-hangar and expansive deck areas suited to extended expeditions. With a reported internal volume in excess of 6,000GT, she is expected to accommodate up to 20 guests in considerable comfort.
Power comes from a diesel-electric propulsion system, complemented by advanced energy-saving, power storage, heating and cooling technologies, positioning O3 among the most technically sophisticated motor yachts currently in build.
Upon delivery, O3 will rank among the largest superyachts in the world. She also joins an impressive roster of over-100-metre projects currently under construction at Lürssen, further underscoring the shipyard’s enduring excellence in the upper tier of bespoke yacht building.