After a year-long pause, Meyer Werft, a major German builder of luxury yachts, is continuing to extend its order portfolio. By the end of 2025, the shipyard will construct a residential superyacht that will be able to accommodate up to 1,000 people. Another key feature of the vessel is the LNG propulsion system.

Meyer Werft has won the second order since the pandemic outbreak. The Papenburg-based shipyard will build a residential yacht for Ocean Residences Development. Despite the vessel will be completed by the end of 2025, it has been already named Njord. The ship will have the following dimensions: a gross tonnage of 84,8000 tonnes, a length of 289.3 metres, a width of 33.5 meters. Around 1,000 people, including both crew and passengers, will be able to be accommodated in 117 apartments.

The German yacht builder is looking forward to this project. “With the new order, we are expanding our portfolio of ship types and can thus also improve the previously difficult prospects, especially for the years 2024/2025,” said Thomas Weigend, managing director of Meyer Werft. Meanwhile, the order is still subject to financing.

Focus on LNG

The NJORD yacht will be environmentally friendly in terms of propulsion. It will be equipped with low-emission LNG engines and a hybrid battery system enabling a maximum speed of 21 knots. To future-proof the vessel, the engines and fuel tanks will be prepared for easy conversion to future fuels with lower or neutral carbon footprints. Moreover, the ship will have the most modern heat recovery systems and advanced energy management systems onboard.

Oceanographic research

The superyacht was designed for becoming home to a community of individuals and families who share a passion for travel, adventure and discovery – across oceans, underwater, in the air and on land. It is also equipped to carry out oceanographic investigations by research organisations and scientific groups. The Njord yacht will fund research projects that help cross scientific boundaries and advance global ocean science that contributes to a better understanding of the complex systems that make up our planet.