MAKKUM, NETHERLANDS — Feadship has officially released the first dynamic imagery of its latest gigayacht, the 101.20-metre (332-foot) Project 1014, as the vessel embarks on its critical sea trials in the North Sea. Moving beyond the confines of the shipyard, the newly released visuals offer the international superyacht industry its first comprehensive look at the yacht’s distinctive profile, characterized by highly refined detailing and an elegant, low-impact visual footprint.
With its launch marking another significant addition to the exclusive 100-metre-plus fleet, Project 1014 represents a masterclass in collaborative European yacht building. The project brings together Feadship’s renowned Dutch engineering, British exterior styling by RWD, and French interior refinement by Chahan Design, all operating upon a naval architecture platform developed by Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture.
Exterior Styling: Integration Over Imposition
In a market where gigayachts often feature towering, stacked-deck profiles that dominate the horizon, the British design studio RWD has taken a decidedly different approach with Project 1014. The design mandate focused on creating elegant, uninterrupted lines that integrate the vessel into its maritime surroundings rather than imposing upon them.
This philosophy is achieved through a careful balance of proportions and a sophisticated color palette. Feadship has finished the steel hull in a deep navy hue, a choice that allows light and water to play across the vessel's surfaces, subtly masking its massive 101.20-metre length. Complementing this dark foundation are subtle bronze details integrated into the superstructure and hull lines. These metallic accents add warmth and a refined architectural quality to the exterior, distinguishing Project 1014 from the standard stark-white vessels dominating global marinas.
Interior Collaboration: RWD meets Chahan Design
While exterior lines dictate a yacht's initial presence, the interior volumes define the owner's lived experience. For Project 1014, the interior represents a cross-Channel collaboration between RWD and the Paris-based studio Chahan Design.
Led by Chahan Minassian, the interior design firm is highly regarded in ultra-high-net-worth circles for its bespoke residential projects and previous superyacht collaborations. While Feadship has kept specific interior layouts and material palettes strictly confidential at this stage of the build, the pairing of RWD’s spatial planning with Chahan’s signature textures, custom furnishings, and tailored lighting design suggests an interior focused on serene, highly curated luxury.
Engineering and Naval Architecture
Beneath the sleek exterior lies a highly capable maritime platform engineered by Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture. Azure, a frequent Feadship collaborator, was tasked with ensuring that Project 1014 performs as gracefully as it looks.
The vessel features a classic steel hull for maximum durability and deep-ocean capability, paired with an aluminum superstructure. This standard combination in large-scale yacht building—utilizing steel for strength below the waterline and lighter aluminum above—helps lower the vessel's center of gravity, significantly improving stability in rough seas.
With a substantial beam of 15.20 metres (49’10”), Project 1014 will offer an immense Gross Tonnage (GT)—the standard industry measurement for a yacht's total enclosed interior volume. This wide beam allows for expansive main deck living areas, oversized tender garages, and extensive crew quarters necessary to operate a vessel of this magnitude. Furthermore, the yacht features a fully loaded draught of 4.30 metres (14’1”), a depth that provides excellent seakeeping abilities during transatlantic crossings, though it will require careful navigation in shallower cruising grounds like the Bahamas.
The Rigors of North Sea Sea Trials
The transition from the outfitting dock to the open ocean is one of the most vital phases of any superyacht build. Project 1014 is currently undergoing its sea trials—a comprehensive series of operational tests designed to measure the vessel's performance, safety, and general seaworthiness against the original engineering specifications.
The North Sea is notoriously challenging, characterized by unpredictable weather and tight wave periods. This environment provides the ultimate proving ground for Feadship's engineers. During these trials, the crew and technical teams push the yacht's propulsion systems to their maximum limits to verify top speeds, test hard-over maneuvers to check steering responsiveness, and conduct rigorous acoustic and vibration measurements. In the luxury yacht sector, minimizing noise and vibration transfer from the engine room to the guest areas is a critical metric of build quality.
The Makkum Yard: A Hub for Feadship Giants
The physical realization of Project 1014 took place at Feadship’s northernmost facility in Makkum. The bare hull and superstructure arrived at the yard in November 2024. Over the past 18 months, the vessel was transformed from a raw metal shell into a finished superyacht.
This immense undertaking was orchestrated under the supervision of the yard’s Director, Sijbrand de Vries, coordinating a highly specialized workforce of 450 employees. The Makkum facility features one of Feadship's largest dry docks, specifically designed to accommodate the complex outfitting, painting, and system integration required for the 100-metre-plus category.
Key Specifications: Feadship Project 1014
- Length Overall: 101.20 m (332’)
- Beam Overall: 15.20 m (49’10”)
- Draught (loaded): 4.30 m (14’1”)
- Construction: Steel hull and aluminum superstructure
- Naval Architect: Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architects
- Exterior Design: RWD
- Interior Design: RWD / Chahan Interior Design
- Builder: Feadship (Makkum facility)
As Project 1014 concludes its testing phase in the North Sea, the superyacht industry anticipates her final delivery and subsequent debut. The vessel stands as a testament to European maritime craftsmanship and the evolving design language of the modern gigayacht.
Stay tuned to NAVIS for more updates on Feadship Project 1014 as we follow its journey toward official delivery and its inaugural cruising season.
