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O3: Lürssen’s 109m Expedition Yacht Delivered
Lürssen has delivered O3, the 109-metre expedition yacht formerly known as Project Icecap and Project Shackleton, marking the completion of a long-running build that has evolved significantly since it was first announced in 2017. Now handed over from the shipyard’s Hamburg facility, the yacht is understood to be cruising north through Scandinavia following delivery, with her new chapter now officially underway.
What makes O3 particularly notable is not simply her scale, but the extent to which the project was reshaped in-build. After being resold in 2022, the yacht underwent a substantial redesign under the supervision of Occam Marine, which oversaw the project on behalf of the new owner. The result is a vessel that retains her expedition intent while taking on a far more individualised profile than the original concept suggested.
The most visible transformation came through Espen Øino Design, which was brought in to rework the exterior. The revised profile includes an additional aft deck and a helipad positioned above it, giving the yacht greater utility and a more commanding silhouette. It is a change that reinforces O3’s expedition brief while also sharpening her identity as a serious custom build rather than a straightforward completion.
Construction began at Lürssen’s Peene-Werft yard in Wolgast before the project was transferred to Hamburg in 2022 for outfitting. Final completion took place in a floating drydock, underscoring the complexity of a build of this size and type. As with many large custom yachts, the finishing process appears to have been as much about coordination and precision as it was about design.
While the interior by Parisian studio CG Design remains closely guarded, the yacht’s purpose is already clear from the available details. O3 has been conceived for expedition use, with an ice-class hull, extensive storage for tenders, toys and equipment, and a commercial helipad on the aft upper deck. In practical terms, she is built to go further and carry more, with the capabilities expected of a modern long-range explorer yacht.
The delivery of O3 adds another significant name to Lürssen’s portfolio of large custom yachts, while also highlighting the shipyard’s ability to complete highly complex projects through changing ownership and design direction. For an industry that continues to prize both capability and individuality, O3 arrives as a reminder that the most interesting yachts are often the ones that evolve most dramatically before they reach the water.