Abeking & Rasmussen Delivers Flagship Superyacht: 118m LIVA

It is undoubtedly LIVA’s sleek, elongated and minimalist jet-black hull that makes her incomparable against the industry’s fleet. Utterly elegant and highly sophisticated, Abeking & Rasmussen have created not only a completely unique and eye-catching Top 100, in terms of length, vessel, but also one that is highly ingenious and innovative: resulting in something utterly incredible. 

Parisian design studio, Joseph Dirand Architecture is the mastermind behind this magnificent exterior design, with the founder’s lifelong intentions to create a truly stand-out superyacht. The yard even revealed that LIVA’s aesthetic design was indeed challenging to pull off; with multiple technical necessities unusually required to be invisible, in order to create her final simplistic silhouette. A feature that not only adds to the 118m’s allure but also adds to her overall efficiency and manoeuvrability, is the incorporation of underwater anchors on the keel instead of the more common anchor pockets.

Joseph Dirand, Founder of the design studio shared: ‘I wanted this boat to be timeless, elegant, pure, thin, classic, contemporary with a large amount of outdoor space to be immersive with the surrounding landscape. This is exactly what I see when I look at it today - the black hull is really spectacular and looks completely monolithic.’

Notable highlights of LIVA include: a Neptune Lounge fitted with a huge 3.4m by 1.3m underwater window allowing guests to relax whilst marvelling at the world below sea level; a 12m by 4m marble pool on the main deck which features a liquid marble floor that can be elevated to the upper level; and a crow’s nest at the foot of the mast which provides yet another observation experience, this time from high above the waves. A fully certified helicopter pad on the sky deck provides easy access for her Owner and guests.

Despite her somewhat minimalist finish, LIVA reportedly features a number of relaxing and social areas onboard, one of which is situated on the forward sundeck, finished with a generous round sofa and a large marble-clad fireplace for a warm and inviting ambience. Joseph Dirand Architecture is also to thank for the interiors of LIVA, which currently remain highly secretive. 

Dirand continued: ‘I have been obsessed by this project during all those years and it is the opportunity of my life to design a boat like this. I am happy today that everyone is realising why all those details were so important to get to this result. It is my turn to thank the shipyard for being such a great partner in the realisation of this dream.’

Aside from her remarkable black profile, LIVA has been fitted with a ‘sophisticated diesel-electric propulsion system’, which has been specifically designed for exceptionally quiet levels of noise during operation. To ensure an additional steady electrical supply, she is equipped with two 2240 kW Caterpillar main generators and three 599 kW Caterpillar auxiliary generators, and four thrusters and four stabiliser fins have been fitted to increase propulsion capabilities and comfort onboard. 

Not only a challenging build in terms of her strict design boundaries, LIVA’s lower deck tender garage has also been highlighted as a difficulty for the yard, impressively capable of fitting a 16m day tender. A second tender garage is located on the main deck to accommodate three boats, a Triton submersible for seven guests and a variety of water toys. Cornelsen & Partners were chosen by the Owner for the project management of LIVA.

Matthias Hellmann, CEO of Abeking & Rasmussen, commented on the delivery of LIVA: ‘The delivery of this magnificent superyacht marks a defining moment for our company and I can confidently say: we have once again succeeded in building an exceptional yacht. By upholding our values of innovation, quality, and client satisfaction, we have created a yacht that sets new industry standards and delights our discerning clientele.’

LIVA will now take the position as the 33rd largest yacht, by length, in the world. 

With her sea trials and delivery now successfully completed, we’re looking forward to seeing this 118m Abeking & Rasmussen masterpiece that is LIVA around the world imminently.