M/Y A

M/Y A: Philippe Starck’s Masterpiece That Redefined the Superyacht Concept

There are vessels that sail the sea and vessels that rewrite its rules. Motor Yacht A undoubtedly belongs to the latter category. With a silhouette that evokes a blend of a futuristic submarine and a stealth ship, M/Y A is not only one of the largest yachts in the world but also the most discussed piece of nautical art of the last two decades.

In this article, we explore the secrets of this 119-meter giant, born from the vision of Philippe

Starck and the engineering mastery of Blohm + Voss.

M/Y A

A Revolutionary Design: The Reverse Bow and Stealth Aesthetics

Forget curved lines and traditional white decks. The allure of Motor Yacht A lies in its provocative style. Designed by the genius of Philippe Starck alongside Martin Francis, the yacht features a reverse bow that cuts through the water with extraordinary hydrodynamic efficiency.

The Design Paradox: It has been called the "most loved and most hated" ship on the seven seas. This polarization is exactly what its owner, Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, was looking for.

Why the name "A"? Many think it is just a tribute to the initials of the owners (Andrey and Aleksandra), but there is a logistical trick: the name "A" allows the yacht to always appear first in every maritime registry.

Dream Interiors

While the exterior appears almost impenetrable like a fortress, the interior is a triumph of contemporary luxury. With over 2,200 square meters of interior space, M/Y A is designed to accommodate 14 guests in absolute comfort, served by a professional crew of 42 people.

Exclusive Highlights:

The Master Suite: Located at the highest point of the superstructure, it features a bed that can rotate 360 degrees to always offer the best view of the horizon.

Pools and Entertainment: The yacht houses three swimming pools, including one with a glass bottom positioned exactly above the onboard disco, creating hypnotic light plays.

Safety and Privacy: The windows are a staggering 44 millimeters thick and are bomb-proof, ensuring total security and privacy for Melnichenko and his guests.

Performance and Technical Challenges: A MAN Heart Under the Shell

Despite a displacement of nearly 6,000 tons, Motor Yacht A does not sacrifice performance. Equipped with two powerful MAN RK280 engines, this colossus reaches a top speed of 23 knots (with a cruising speed of approximately 18 knots).

Its range is staggering: it can travel over 6,500 nautical miles without needing to refuel.

Did you know? Perfection comes at a price, even a legal one. The yacht was the protagonist of a famous $100 million lawsuit against the paint giant Akzo Nobel, due to a paint job deemed defective that did not meet the aesthetic standards imposed by Starck.

A 300 Million Dollar Asset

Commissioned in 2004 and launched in 2008 at the HDW shipyard in Kiel, Germany, the estimated cost of M/Y A is around $300 million. Although rumors of a possible sale circulated in the past (with figures ranging between €250 and €300 million), the yacht is currently not officially on the market, remaining one of the most coveted trophies in the global nautical world

Why Does Motor Yacht A Continue to Fascinate?

M/Y A represents the breaking point between classic and futuristic yachting. It is proof that, in the world of luxury, audacity always pays off.