Italian boutique shipyard Tankoa Yachts marked a major construction milestone on August 31, 2026, celebrating the technical launch of its custom 45-metre displacement motor yacht, the TX450, at its Genoa facility. The launch brought together the vessel’s Middle Eastern owner, his family and technical representatives, the full executive leadership and yard team of Tankoa, and core sub-contractor partners who managed the build through each phase.

In accordance with maritime custom, the gathering commenced with a formal priest's blessing of the hull, followed immediately by the godmother's christening against the bow. After the vessel touched the water, Tankoa hosted an on-site reception across its shipyard facilities to celebrate the project's transition into dockside outfitting and commissioning.

Sub-500GT Architecture and High-Volume Optimization

Commissioned by an experienced yachtsman from the Middle East with a portfolio of prior vessel ownership, the TX450 was conceived around an exact brief: achieve the spatial distribution, luxury amenities, and usable volume of a much larger vessel while keeping the platform strictly below the 500GT threshold.

Although the project drew initial reference from the boutique yard's established T450 platform, the TX450 evolved into a fully bespoke naval build. Beyond sharing the same design studio, the yacht shares no structural components or hull architecture with its predecessor, marking it as a 100% custom construction.

Collaborative Design and Naval Engineering

To realize the owner's spatial expectations, the project was developed in close collaboration between the client and Rome-based Cassetta Yacht Designers, the studio entrusted with both the exterior styling and interior architecture. Every aesthetic boundary, material choice, and spatial partition was calibrated specifically to the owner's cruising habits and onboard routines.

Naval architecture for the displacement hull form was directed by Italian marine firm NAMES, ensuring efficiency, hydrodynamics, and sea-keeping capability. Structural calculations, weight distribution, and machinery integration were engineered by inNave, working alongside Tankoa’s in-house Technical Department to align technical execution with custom design.

 

Bespoke Deck Configuration and Accommodations

Accommodating the owner's brief led to a distinct structural profile characterized by an additional deck level and a noticeably wider beam across all decks compared to the baseline platform. The layout rearranges conventional zoning across its four vertical levels to optimize privacy, social entertaining, and guest flow:

  • Upper Deck Social Hub: Taking full advantage of the widened structural beam, the entire upper deck is configured as a dedicated lounge, dining, and open-air entertainment space.
  • Main Deck Accommodation: In a deliberate operational layout shift, the forward main deck houses both the full-beam owner’s stateroom and dedicated guest suites, accommodating up to 10 guests across 5 staterooms.
  • Lower Deck Versatility: The remaining guest staterooms occupy the lower deck, anchored by a multi-purpose convertible cabin that transitions between a private VIP lounge, office suite, or guest cabin.
  • Wellness and Recovery: A dedicated health and fitness center, complete with a gym and full-service spa, is situated on board to support extended ocean voyaging.
  • Bridge Deck Veranda: An enclosed observation veranda is positioned on the bridge deck, providing a climate-controlled, panoramic vantage point for all-weather cruising.

This tailored footprint highlights Tankoa’s core operational focus: running a boutique, low-volume shipyard that adapts production to bespoke client commissions rather than relying on standard production molds.

Full Hybrid Propulsion and Silent Cruising Capabilities

Addressing the growing requirement for environmentally conscious operation and acoustic comfort, the TX450 integrates a full hybrid marine powertrain. The mechanical configuration pairs conventional internal combustion marine engines with high-efficiency electric motor-generators and advanced battery energy storage systems.

The propulsion package grants the TX450 a top speed of 15 knots at half load, alongside an efficient long-range cruising speed of 14 knots. The system also provides zero-emission cruising in full-electric mode. During coastal transit or while exploring protected marine sanctuaries, the vessel can cruise quietly on stored battery reserves for several hours. At anchor, the battery banks sustain the entire domestic electrical load overnight without firing auxiliary diesel generators.

 

Next Phase: Commissioning and Mediterranean Sea Trials

Commenting on the technical launch, Vincenzo Poerio, Chief Executive Officer of Tankoa Yachts, highlighted the cooperative execution behind the launch:

"Seeing TX450 touch the water for the first time is a rewarding milestone for everyone involved in her creation. From the very beginning, this has been a truly collaborative journey with the Owner, resulting in a yacht that is entirely bespoke and reflects a shared vision brought to life through dedication, expertise and innovation. We are immensely proud to see her enter this exciting new chapter."

With dockside outfitting continuing in Genoa, the TX450 is now entering its comprehensive commissioning phase. Sea trials, propulsion calibration, and technical testing will take place in the Ligurian Sea in the coming weeks ahead of final handover to her owner.

Stay tuned to NAVIS for more updates on this evolving story.