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The 25 Largest Yachts in the World

The list runs from lürssen's 592-foot 'azzam' to fincantieri 439-foot 'serene,' with a fascinating group of bespoke vessels in between..

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The new arrivals in 2024 knock the mighty 436.4-foot  Al Mirqab   and  Koru , Jeff Bezos’s sailing yacht, off the list. The “smallest” yacht— Serene —measures a whopping 439.3 feet. A raft of behemoths didn’t make it, including Feadship’s 290-foot Project 821 that is launching this year, the largest build from the Dutch shipyard to date.

Two of Lürssen’s 2024 deliveries also fell short, including Project Deep Blue and Project JassJ. That said, the German yard remains top of the leader board with the immoveable 592.6-foot  Azzam . It also claims 13 of the 25 world’s largest yachts, two of which are new entries.

The list is interesting because most were built in the last 15 years, but there are several historical yachts, including  Savarona , launched in 1931, and  El Mahrousa , launched in 1865, that withstand the test of time. Others like  Yas  and  OK are conversions from other types of vessels. The inimitable  A  is a one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-repeated sailing superyacht.

Here are the world’s top 25 yachts by length.

Azzam | 592 feet, 6 inches

Lürssen could never really boast about Azzam after its launch in 2013 because of the owner’s penchant for privacy, though it did describe the interior by Christophe Leoni, which features a 95-foot-long main salon, as “inspired by the Empire style of the early 19th century.” Owner Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi directed a team of designers and engineers who started with the bare concept, worked through the technical challenges of what might be the most complex superyacht ever, and finished with an unusually large vessel that can top the 30-knot mark when operating in “sprint mode”. Its gas turbines, connected to water jets, also give it the ability to operate at high speed in shallow waters. Nauta Yacht’s exterior features a long, sleek forward area, with well-proportioned tiers moving up to the skydeck. It took an impressive six million man-hours—or four years including engineering—to build.  Azzam  accommodates up to 36 guests, and a crew of 80.

Fulk Al Salamah | 538 feet, 1 inch

Little information has been released about the world’s second-longest superyacht, the custom-built Fulk Al Salamah , and it has been shrouded in mystery since it was first announced in 2014. Even the overall length of 538.1 feet has been estimated from AIS data. However, the imposing vessel, built and delivered by Italian builder Mariotti Yachts in their Genoa shipyard in 2016, is believed to be owned by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman. Last refit in 2021, the yacht has an exterior design by Studio de Jorio, and it is considered by some to resemble more of a support vessel than a superyacht. Nonetheless, aerial photography shows an impressively large helideck, raked masts, and a bathing platform.

Eclipse | 533 feet, 1 inch

The 533.1-foot stately  Eclipse , one of two yachts on this list owned by sanctioned billionaire Roman Abramovich, took five years to design and build. When it left the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg in 2010, it was the world’s largest yacht. The interior has 17 staterooms and a palatial primary suite, with the capacity to carry 85 crew. Both the interior and exterior are designed by Terence Disdale. A proportional profile is defined by tiered decks that sweep upward and bend ever so slightly at the aft ends. Eclipse  has a 185-foot-long owner’s deck, the capacity to hold three helicopters, a sophisticated stabilization system, six tenders, and an enormous spa, gym and beach club, not to mention one of the largest swimming pools on any superyacht. Hybrid diesel-electric engines are connected to Azipod drives that give Eclipse a top-end speed of 21 knots, with a range of 6,000 nautical miles.

Dubai | 531 feet, 5 inches

Even at 531.5 feet, Dubai ’s all-white Winch-designed exterior belies the dramatic and vibrant interior within. Colorful mosaic floors, a spiraling glass staircase, 70-foot-wide atrium, and bursts of red, blue, and green create a carnival of scene. Originally commissioned for Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei as a joint project between Blohm+Voss and Lürssen . Known as “Panhandle,” the project was halted in 1998 with just a bare hull and skeletal superstructure. The hull was sold to the government of Dubai, and, under the direction of the country’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, work on the 531.5-footer began again, though this time by Platinum Yachts. Dubai delivered in 2006 and is now the sheikh’s royal yacht, with accommodations for 24 guests and quarters for 88 crew. The SOLAS-certified seven-decked yacht has a landing pad for a Black Hawk helicopter, submarine garage, disco and cinema, and can reach a top speed of 26 knots. There’s also a waterfall that cascades from the yacht’s pool, located aft of the main deck. The yacht’s range of 8,500 nm at 25 knots gives it the potential to cruise around the world in record time.

Blue | 518 feet, 3 inches

Lürssen’s newest entry on the list, Blue , which delivered to its Middle Eastern owner in July 2022, may rank at number five out of the world’s largest yachts, but its diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system goes a long way to minimize emissions. The yacht also features an electric Azimuth pod drive that can be used independently or in conjunction with the twin propeller shafts. There is a waste-water treatment system and an advanced exhaust treatment system to help reduce NOx levels, as well as cut down on vibration and noise pollution. Interior and exterior design is by Terence Disdale, Blue is defined in profile by a raked bow with a helipad, an aft deck pool, and twin balconies forward either side of the owner’s full-beam suite. There is a second, smaller helipad aft. The British designer has reportedly penned a feminine and elegant interior, though no images have yet been released.

Dilbar | 511 feet, 8 inches

The 2016 launch of Dilbar gave Lürssen the distinction of not only building the longest yacht ever ( Azzam ), but also the largest in terms of volume. Espen Øino designed the exterior, creating a full-bodied superstructure of long, flowing decks, along with two helicopter pads,two helicopter pads, one of which has a hangar with an H175 helicopter always on standby.  Dilbar  also has an oversized garden and an 82-foot swimming pool that can hold an incredible 6,357-cubic-feet of water and according to Lürssen, is the world’s longest on a yacht. The interior by  Winch Design  is defined by its “rare and exclusive luxury materials,” says the builder, declining to go into detail. Despite  Dilbar ’s volume, the designers did a masterful job making the yacht look relatively svelte. In June 2020, Dilbar returned to Lürssen for a significant refit, where the yacht remains following U.S. sanctions placed on the owner, Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, in 2022. The yacht’s value is estimated to be $600 million.

Al Saïd | 508 feet, 5 inches

Another 500-plus-foot yacht from Lürssen, the original Project Sunflower gained its official name of Al Saïd following its launch in 2016. Espen Øino’s exterior is akin to a classic cruise liner, complete with the twin-exhaust stacks in the center of the superstructure. Owned by the Sultan of Oman, the yacht was listed for the sale for the first time in April 2022 for an undisclosed sum, but a buyer has yet to be confirmed. The six-decked  Al Saïd  can carry 154 crew and an estimated 70 guests across 26 suites. Lürssen reports a top speed of 22 knots. The London-based Redman Whiteley Dixon studio designed the interior, which includes a concert hall that can hold a 50-piece orchestra, a private cinema for 50 people; you’ll also find a medical room and dental care on board.

A+ | 483 feet, 1 inch

Very little is known about A+ (formerly Topaz) , which was launched by Lürssen in 2012. Tim Heywood Designs did the exterior, which features helipads on the foredeck and amidships on an upper deck. A lower aft deck includes a swimming pool. The German yard has not released any images of the Terence Disdale interior. Reported to be owned by Manchester City Football Club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan—Emirati royalty and deputy prime minister of the UAE— A+  is equipped with a 40-foot Vikal catamaran beachlander and is powered by six Wärtsilä engines to reach a top speed of 22 knots. It can carry 62 guests and up to 79 crew and was last refit in 2022.

Prince Abdulaziz | 482 feet, 3 inches

The 5,200-tonne Prince Abdulaziz is one of the Saudi Royal family’s yachts, its first owner being King Fahd. Designed by Maierform, the yacht was the longest and tallest in the world at the time of its launch, a title the 482.3-foot  Prince Abdulaziz  held for 22 years until  Dubai  launched in 2006. The late David Nightingale Hicks, known for his use of bright colors, was the interior designer. The lobby is said to be a replica of the Titanic . The yacht is also rumored to be carrying surface-to-air missiles, though that may be an urban legend. Launched by Helsingør Værft in Denmark in 1984, it was last refit in 2023.

OK | 479 feet

Originally built by Japan’s Oshima Shipbuilding in 1982, the semisubmersible heavy lift ship was used for decades by DYT Yacht Transport as float-on yacht carrier. In 2022, the vessel underwent a private conversion at Karmarine shipyard in Turkey, turning it into a luxury, though highly unusual, yacht named OK . Modifications include a matte-black paint job, gold-tinted glazing, and teak decking. The vessel’s 328-foot submersible aft deck—a feature that first attracted her new owner, who uses OK to transport their 150-foot ketch—is now covered in a carpet of artificial grass. A 40-tonne crane allows for the safe and easy launch and retrieval of a vast range of toys, including a seaplane. The interior by Bozca Design is reported to include accommodation for 20 guests, a botanical garden, and a crazy Willy Wonka–inspired glass elevator that operates outside of the yacht’s superstructure.

Opera | 479 feet

Very little is known about Lürssen’s mysterious superyacht Opera , though it’s thought to be a rebuild of Project Sassi, which was destroyed in a fire in 2018 at the German shipyard. Now four feet longer than the first iteration, the superyacht became the 11th largest yacht in the world when it delivered to its patient owner in 2023. Exterior and interior designed by Terence Disdale, Opera has a whopping 66-foot beam and an interior volume exceeding 10,000GT. No interior images have been released yet, though judging by its two swimming pools, one with a lifting floor, and two helipads—one on the bow and one on the upper aft deck—it seems no expense has been spared.

El Mahrousa | 478 feet, 1 inch

El Mahrousa , which means “The Protected” in Arabic, is currently Egypt’s presidential yacht, though the 478.1-footer has a separate history as that country’s royal yacht. The London-based Samuda Brothers began the build in 1863, and it was launched in 1865. The world’s oldest superyacht—and formerly the world’s biggest—was originally built for the Ottoman governor of Egypt, Khedive Ismail, and later carried three Egyptian kings into exile. The yacht was also at the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. It features external design by the British naval architect Sir Oliver Lang and has had multiple modifications over the years, including a lengthening by 40 feet in 1872 and another 17 feet in 1905. During the second refit, the owners replaced its paddle-wheel engines with turbine-driven propellers. The yacht, in care of the Egyptian Navy, occasionally goes to sea for a day or two. In 2015, it was used to inaugurate the new Suez Canal.

Project Luminance | 475 feet, 7 inches

Delivered in 2024, Project Luminance (the real name is yet to be confirmed) is Lürssen’s newest entry on the list. Exterior designed by Espen Øino, the yacht has a raked bow, a contrasting paint job in a dark blue hull and silver superstructure and a whopping 8,999 gross tons of interior volume. Few details are yet known about the gigayacht owned by Ukrainian mining and financial services mogul Rinat Akhmetov, including the interior by Francois Zuretti, but aerial shots reveal twin helicopter pads—one on the foredeck and another high up aft—a large beach club, and an infinity pool, with a private spa pool area on the foredeck.

A | 468 feet, 5 inches

Undoubtedly one of the most visionary projects ever delivered by German shipyard Nobiskrug, the Philippe Starck-designed A is a wild fantasy of the future. Delivered in 2017, the futuristic look of  sailing yacht  A includes smooth, silver-metallic surfaces and windows that look nearly invisible, a 26-foot draft, three composite masts that bend slightly, and a deck hidden by high bulwarks. The Philippe Starck–design is a wild fantasy yacht of the future. The 468-foot sailing yacht is a technical victory for Nobiskrug , which developed composite fashion plates to create the unusual shapes without compromising any strength or fluidity. It has the tallest freestanding composite masts on any sailing vessel, a diesel-electric propulsion system, and state-of-the-art navigation systems. The boat also reportedly has an underwater viewing platform in the keel. Starck’s traditional interior features dark wood, copper accents, and cozy patterned carpets. The split-deck main salon is divided into zoned seating areas with integrated bookshelves. A remains today the world’s largest sailing yacht six years after its launch, though many argue it is better defined as a sail-assisted yacht.

Nord | 466 feet

Nord was announced in 2015 but didn’t hit the water until its 2020 sea trials in the Baltic Sea. The 466-foot yacht features interior design by Italian studio Nuvolari Lenard and was Lürssen’s first yacht launched from its floating shed at its facility in Vegasack. Boasting top-tier amenities, the yacht includes a sports and diving center on the lower deck, multiple tenders ranging in size up to 50 feet and a large swimming pool. The two helipads support the yacht’s long-range cruising capabilities for autonomous exploration, and a retractable hangar means a helicopter can slide neatly into the superstructure for storage when not in use. A generous 20 staterooms accommodate 36 guests across six decks, while a sleek aft-sloping superstructure gives Nord an individual profile on the water.

Yas | 462 feet, 6 inches

As a converted yacht, Yas is one of the most interesting vessels on this list. The dolphin-like exterior was originally a former Dutch Navy frigate that launched in 1978 and eventually sold to the navy of the United Arab Emirates, where it was renamed Al Emirat . The yacht underwent its dramatic conversion in a facility in Abu Dhabi’s main port, emerging as a gleaming superyacht in 2011, with one of the most interesting profiles on the water. It was eventually delivered four years later. Reportedly owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al Nahyan, half-brother of the president of the UAE, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the design by Paris-based Pierrejean Vision is defined by massive glass surfaces. Yas can accommodate 60 guests and 58 crew members. Mated to a steel hull, the superstructure is the largest composite edifice ever built.

Solaris | 459 feet, 3 inches

Owned by Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, the 476-foot  Solaris  was one of the largest yachts to deliver in 2021. Last refit in 2022 at MB92 in Barcelona, the vast, highly private explorer is built by German shipyard Lloyd Werft and features a displacement steel hull with bulbous bow and steel superstructure with teak decks. The eight-deck exterior by Australian designer Marc Newson houses a large helipad, sundeck, spacious beach club aft and 21,527 square feet of glass, the largest panes to ever be built into a yacht. Lloyd Werft also built the Russian billionaire’s previous explorer yacht Luna , which he reportedly sold for $360 million to his close friend Farkhad Akhmedov in 2014.

Ocean Victory | 459 feet, 3 inches

The largest motoryacht ever built in Italy, Fincantieri’s Ocean Victory is owned by Russian billionaire Viktor Rashnikov, who was sanctioned in 2022. The seven-deck exterior by Espen Øino includes two helideck platforms and a hangar belowdecks, as well as exceptional outdoor social areas and a floodable tender dock. Ocean Victory has accommodations for 28 guests as well as quarters for 56 crew. The interior by Alberto Pinto remains a secret, aside from the yacht’s six pools, a 3,300-square-foot spa, and an underwater observation room.

Scheherazade | 459 feet, 3 inches

The 459.3-foot, Lürssen-built Scheherazade (formerly known as Project Lightning) was delivered in June 2020, with exterior design by Espen Øino and interior design by Francois Zuretti. Two helipads, forward and aft, and a large beach club aft are visible from aerial photographs, but aside from the yacht’s reported seven-foot beam, 40 crew and unique drone-crashing system for privacy, further details have not yet been released. The reason may lie with the yacht’s unofficial owner, believed to be Russian president Vladimir Putin. In May 2022, Italian authorities froze Scheherazade in the port of Marina di Carrara following an investigation conducted by Italian financial police who found the ship’s beneficial owner had “significant economic and business ties” to high-ranking Russian government officials, though the results of the investigation to date remain inconclusive.

Al Salamah | 456 feet

When Lürssen launched Al Salamah in 1999, it was the third-largest yacht in the world. Its number 20 ranking shows how much has changed in the last 20 years. Code-named MIPOS, or Mission Possible, the yacht was designed by Terence Disdale . Originally owned by Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the yacht was put up for sale for $280 million in in 2013 before it was reportedly given to Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa as a gift. The large imposing exterior is primarily protected space, with an upper deck exposed to the elements. Al Salamah has staterooms for 40 guests, including two owner suites, 11 VIP staterooms, and eight twin cabins. The yacht can carry up to 96 crew and has a top speed of 22 knots. Al Salamah was last refitted in 2009.

Rising Sun | 454 feet, 1 inch

Designed by the original guru of yacht designers, Jon Bannenberg, Rising Sun was built by Lürssen for Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and is currently owned by billionaire David Geffen, who reportedly paid $590 million for the yacht. The yacht comes with a gym, a grand piano, multiple swimming pools, a beauty salon, and a spa with a sauna. Delivered in 2004 and last refit in 2022, the yacht’s exterior is defined by banks of windows across the superstructure. Rising Sun has 86,000 square feet of living space in 82 rooms. It can accommodate 18 guests in nine cabins, with the capacity to carry up to 46 crew. The interior by Seccombe Design includes a gym, cinema, and wine cellar, and the rear cockpit deck was designed as a basketball court. Geffen received global media backlash in 2020 for his “tone deaf” social-media posts that pictured himself on board his yacht during Covid-19 lockdown.

Flying Fox | 446 feet, 2 inches

The 446.2-foot  Flying Fox is arguably the most high-profile yacht on this list, primarily for being the largest yacht available on the charter market. In 2022, it was also singled out as “blocked property” by U.S. authorities in 2022 due to its previous management Imperials Yachts, which was on the US sanctions list. The yacht’s owner, however, Russian billionaire Dmitry Kamenshchik, is not sanctioned, so the yacht was turned over to him and returned to charter in 2024. Key features of the Espen Øino-designed exterior are a curvaceous dove-gray hull and a 3.7-foot swimming pool that runs athwartship on the main aft deck, the largest ever found on board a yacht. A two-decked spa also gives guests access to a cryosauna, hammam, and relaxation room with a fold-down balcony at sea level. Packed to the rafters with the latest amenities, the yacht holds a diving center, a decompression chamber, and two helipads. Flying Fox is PYC compliant and can accommodate 25 guests.

Savarona | 446 feet, 2 inches

Launched in 1931, and by far the largest and fastest private yacht of her day, Savarona was built for American heiress Emily Roebling Cadwalader and is easily identified by its two mustard-colored funnels. The yacht was eventually acquired by Turkey to be the presidential yacht of Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey. Jane’s Fighting Ships described the yacht in 1949 as “probably the most sumptuously fitted yacht afloat.”  Savarona was later converted to a training ship for the Turkish Navy and, in 1978, destroyed by fire. The yacht laid in tatters for 10 years. A Turkish businessman spent around $45 million refurbishing Savarona , commissioning Donald Starkey for the interior and replacing the original steam-turbine engines with modern Caterpillar diesels. Savarona became Turkey’s official presidential yacht again in 2014, accommodating up to 34 guests in 17 suites and carrying up to 48 crew. Amenities include a swimming pool, a Turkish bath, a 280-foot grand staircase, a movie theater and a library dedicated to Atatürk.

Crescent | 443 feet

Last refit in 2021, Espen Øino’s dark hull and tiered superstructure was one of the most exciting launches of 2018. Called Project Thunder internally at Lürssen, the custom-built yacht features cutouts along the hull sides that allow full ocean views from the saloon on the primary deck, as part of Crescent ’s distinctive curved superstructure. Its most noteworthy feature is the jaw-dropping bank of three-deck-high windows in the center of the yacht. This architectural feature serves as the centerpiece of a very compelling design. The yacht has accommodations for 18 guests in nine staterooms. Little is known about the François Zuretti-designed interior, other than Lürssen describing it as being “traditionally styled.” If it lives up to Crescent ’s brash exterior, the complete yacht promises to be an entirely groundbreaking design. In March 2022, Crescent was detained by Spain as property of Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin, who is sanctioned in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Serene | 439 feet, 3 inches

Serene  is the yacht that launched Fincantieri into the superyacht segment, and what a debut it was. The largest yacht ever launched in Italy when it was delivered in 2011 (surpassed three years later by Ocean Victory ), the Espen Øino seven-deck design features a long, sleek blue hull crowned by a white superstructure. Pascale Reymond of Reymond Langton Design created the 43,056-square-foot interior for a Russian owner, which includes a double height atrium with a piano lounge at the top and a vast open-plan main salon below. Sunken LEDs and bright pink and purple neon lights create a modern party vibe in the social areas, which contrast with the elaborate yet more traditional guest suites. A spiral staircase with intricate metal banisters soars through the heart of the yacht. The open stern area has a winter garden (enclosed glasshouse) that allows dining in all seasons. Serene also has two helipads and a hangar, a big swimming pool, and a tender garage large enough for a submarine.

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As Far As You Can Sea: World’s Largest Superyachts

Multimillion-dollar mega yachts.

by Emma Treagus Updated on May 22, 2024

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With onboard swimming pools, cinemas, helicopter landing pads, and spas, the world’s largest superyachts have more facilities than your ‘average’ five-star hotel.

Owned by some of the world’s wealthiest people—along with a few anonymous owners who’d prefer to keep their luxury transport a secret—these mega yachts redefine the word “boat” into something indescribably sleek, stylish, and seriously impressive. 

If superyachts are your thing, you’ll want to read on for all the facts and figures on all of the largest yachts in the world.

The 26 largest yachts in the world

Multimillion-dollar mega yachts: Our ranking methodology

A superyacht or mega yacht is typically a motor yacht or sailing yacht with a length of 30 meters (100 feet) or more. For this ranking, we looked at the superyachts and luxury expedition mega yachts that are used privately or made available for charter. We excluded so-called ‘residential superyachts’ (think Njord and The World), which are essentially luxury apartment buildings at sea where people own private residences inside the superyacht rather than the whole yacht. By researching diverse, reliable sources like Wikipedia and the Superyacht Times, we compile a list of the largest yachts in the world.

Curious about other striking superlatives? Check our round-up of the most expensive cars in the world and the most expensive private jets in the world . They are both perfectly good alternatives to owning a yacht. And if you prefer to stay home, we’ve ranked the biggest homes and the most expensive houses in the world to give you some inspiration too.

26. Y721 (aka Koru) | 417 feet—127m

Ever wonder where Jeff Bezos spends his downtime? As of today, we’re predicting it to be on his $500 million superyacht. Y721—nicknamed Koru—is 127m long. And featuring three sky-high slender masts, Koru is said to be the largest sailing yacht in the world . 

With dark exteriors and natural wooden decks, Koru is inspired by another one of Bezos’ yachts—the Black Pearl. The clean lines and classically curved bow speak to an understated elegance despite the yacht’s mammoth size. While a long line of portals indicates at least 9 guest cabins. In light of all the secrecy surrounding Koru, we doubt Bezos will ever charter her out, but we can still dream.

25. Al Mirqab | 436 feet—133m

Adorned with cascading chandeliers and gold accents, Al Mirqab is renowned for its unrivaled interiors. Surrounded by suspended glass artworks, a grand staircase floats throughout the four floors. And inspired by authentic Arabian styles, the magnificent superyacht is reminiscent of a magic carpet ride through the seas . 

Built for the former Prime Minister of Qatar, Peterswerft-Kusch spared no expense in delivering Al Mirqab to an impossibly high standard for luxury. The large swimming pool is a standout feature as it opens up into the sea, creating the ultimate playground for adults. Al Mirqab has a capacity for up to 60 guests and is manned by an equal number of crew. Although you have to be invited by the politician himself as Al Mirqab isn’t available for private charter.

24. Serene | 439 feet—134m

Adeptly named, the magnificent superyacht embodies the serenity of a life at sea. Serene was built in Italy for a Russian owner in 2011. She was leased to Bill Gates for the Summer in 2014 for $5 million per week. 

Designed by Reymond Langton, the 134m mega yacht marries elegant sophistication with state-of-the-art technologies. The seven decks leave ample space for guests to soak in scintillating views. While the underwater viewing room—nicknamed the Nemo room—is a permanent gallery of resplendent sealife. The real-life snow room makes up to four inches of snow. And whilst this may seem odd when your billionaire boss asks for snow—you make it snow.

23. Crescent | 445 feet – 136 m

Yet another Lurssen masterpiece, Crescent pays homage to classic naval designs with traditional architecture and elegant interiors. Formerly named Project Thunder, she was built in Germany and delivered to Igor Sechin in 2018. The Russian oligarch’s superyacht was seized by Spain after sanctions were placed on Russia in 2022. 

Crescent features low bulwarks and full-height windows to maximize the view from the center of the boat. Her distinctive wing station provides unrivaled views for up to 18 guests. But don’t get your hopes up—Crescent is strictly for private use only and isn’t available for charter. 

22. Savarona | 446 feet – 136m

Savarona is the second-largest yacht built by Blohm & Voss and spends most of her time in the Mediterranean. This luxury superyacht is one of the oldest in the market — a perfect fusion of traditional charm and modern facilities. 

Previously named Gunes Dil, Savarona was designed by Cox & Stevens, with interior design carefully handled by Donald Starkey. She’s available to charter on a weekly basis and has been refurbished over the years. Back in the day, her cost price was $4 million, and in 1989, she was chartered by Kahraman Sadikoglu, owner of the Turkish Sadikoglu Group, who spent an estimated $50 million on refurbishing her from top to bottom.

21. Flying Fox | 446 feet – 136m

Flying Fox is known as the most expensive charter yacht in the world , and a week aboard will set you back around $3 million. Chartered by the one and only power couple Beyonce and Jay-Z in 2021, it’s filled to the brim with all of the luxury facilities you could ever possibly want. 

The Flying Fox is rumored to be owned by Jeff Bezos, although that’s a claim that’s never been totally certified. She spends most of her time in the Mediterranean, specifically Cannes, Capri, and Sardinia, although she’s recently visited Norway, too. She can accommodate the largest helicopters on the market, and it reportedly took more than 50 meetings with her owner for interior design to be completed.

20. Rising Sun | 454 feet – 138m

The Rising Sun’s original owner, Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corporation, sold her in 2010 as he considered her too large. Famously used by David Geffen for self-isolation, Rising Sun has also been a popular hang-out spot for celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Beatrice, the Princess of York. 

She’s a Superyacht with impressive attention to detail like interiors kitted out in teak and onyx and endless features like a full gym, a large wine cellar, a sauna, and a spa. She’s got a full-size basketball court that doubles up as a helicopter landing pad and a private cinema for those long evenings spent at sea.

19. Al Salamah | 457 feet – 139m

Al Salamah is part of the Omani Royal fleet and started her very secretive life in Genoa. Known as the world’s biggest superyacht right up until 2016, she’s a sleek masterpiece of a ship, with a distinctive cream color and beach club design. 

Al Salamah does everything in multiples, from the five galleys onboard (the main galley, a bakery, a crew galley, an owner’s diet galley, and an Arab galley), three hospitals (one for the owner, one for guests, and one for the crew) and 2,000 sqm of floor space. She was put on sale briefly for $280 million USD, before being delisted and instead given as a gift to the Crown Prince of Bahrain. 

18. Solaris | 458 feet – 139m

Everything about Solaris was supposed to be kept a secret when she was being built—a secret that didn’t last long when her huge size was spotted undergoing sea trials in the North Sea. One of this Superyacht’s main attractions is her beach club on the top floor: the perfect spot for relaxation during those long days out at sea. 

That beach club comes complemented with endless other stylish amenities, like a large helipad, sun deck, and a crane to launch tenders, toys, and subs. Interior design is largely unknown, but, if it’s anything as sleek and white as its exteriors, it’s sure to be impressive.

17. Scheherazade | 459 feet – 140m

Two helicopter landing pads, two outdoor Jacuzzis, and two outdoor fire pits: Scheherazade doesn’t hold back with not only the essentials but also the luxuries. Previously named Lightning, “Scheherazade” is mostly associated with a female character in the Middle Eastern folk tales in the series One Thousand and One Nights. 

Not much is known about this superyacht, and even her birth and building process were referred to under a codename: Project Lightning. No one involved in her creation, even Lurssen, has revealed anything about her interiors or her owner. All that’s really known is that she sailed from Germany to Norway initially after completion. 

16. Ocean Victory | 460 feet – 140m

Ocean Victory has traveled all over the world, from Europe to Southeast Asia and back again. Owned by Russian billionaire Viktor Rashnikov, she’s the upgraded vessel to follow his purchase of the 76-meter Ebony Shine. 

She’s one designed with pure luxury in mind, from the six individual swimming pools onboard to the 300-square meter spa area. She’s beautiful both inside and out, with a unique concept designed by Espen Oeino and interior designer Alberto Pinto. The largest superyacht ever built in Italy, Ocean Victory shows some of the finest in the world when it comes to premium quality adventures at sea.

15. Yas | 463 feet – 141m

Yas is known best for its seamless and rather unusual design — one that’s a little different from most superyachts out there. The owner of Yas wanted a yacht that lived up to his own heritage; one with a backbone reminiscent of the navy and with abstract lines throughout. 

He chose an existing boat in Abu Dhabi, which was deconstructed within the region before being shipped off and renovated into the wonder that it is today. The Yas yacht was originally a Dutch navy frigate, which you’d never guess from strolling around onboard today.

14. Nord | 465 feet – 142m

Nord’s distinctive bow design has never been seen before on a yacht. That’s one of the first things you’ll notice about her. The next thing you’ll notice is her unusual design, which verges on battle-esque and has been called “ a warship wearing a tuxedo ” by Dan Lenard of the Italian design studio Nuvolari-Lenard. 

She’s one of the best superyachts out there for fun, with a sports and diving center on the lower deck, a swimming pool higher up, overlooking the ocean, and a fleet of tenders. She was designed for global exploration: a yacht that will calmly cruise her way all across the world.

13. Sailing Yacht A | 469 feet—142.8m

Challenging the status quo and pushing design boundaries, Sailing Yacht A is an enigma. The sail-assisted superyacht was built in Germany and delivered to Russian tycoon Andrey Melnichenko in 2017. However, she was seized by the Italian police force, Guardia di Finanza, in 2022 after sanctions were placed on Russian businessmen following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Distinguished by soaring rotating carbon fiber masts, Nobiskrug’s hybrid approach to superyachts makes Sailing Yacht A more eco-conscious than other luxury yachts of her size. The u nderwater viewing pod molded into the keel speaks to her unrivaled innovation. And many balconies are enclosed by some of the largest pieces of curved glass ever made. 

12. El Mahrousa | 478 feet – 146m

El Mahrousa had a few different names in her time, ranging from the translated “The Protected” to El Horreya, which in Arabic translates to “Freedom.” It’s not surprising that she’s had more than one name when you take into account her age. As the oldest superyacht in the world, she’s undergone a lot of restoration over time, including multiple lengthenings and faster engines. 

She was renamed back to El Mahrousa in 2000 and gained even more recognition for being the first ship to cross the new Suez Canal extension in 2015. Back in her original days, she was built on the River Thames and took her first trip in 1867.

11. OK | 479 feet—146m

Delivered in Japan in 1982, OK is one of the largest and most unique superyachts in the world. Sprawling over 479 feet, the water giant is engineered to submerge almost seventy percent. This is accredited to the work done by Karmarine Shipyard. While the majority of the vessel was built by Oshima Shipping, it was privately converted to a semi-submersible yacht in Turkey. 

The superlative finishing on OK superyacht was designed by Timur Bozca, winner of the Younger Designer of the Year award in 2015. The blueprint being as many games as possible. The extraordinary vessel has the uncanny ability to hold over seventy toys, including a sailing yacht, a sea plane, tenders, buggies and even a tennis court.

10. Opera | 480 feet—146.4m 

Like many of the most majestic water titans, Opera was delivered by Lurssen in Germany and built for Abu Dhabi royalty. This time, the owner is Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of the founder of the United Arab Emirates. And while it may not be quite as astronomical as Lurssen’s previous builds—Azzam, Blue and Dilbar—the streamlined vessel is equally impressive onboard. 

The three-story superyacht proves large enough for a pair of helipads and two swimming pools, amongst many other toys, while simultaneously making room for up to 48 guests and 80 crew members. When it comes to the interior, details are sparse, but we do know that it was designed by Terence Disdale, a London firm renowned for creating bespoke luxury spaces. 

9. Prince Abdulaziz | 482 feet – 147m

The Prince Abdulaziz’s yacht was ordered by King Fahd, who named her after his son Prince Abdul Aziz. Now, she’s owned by his brother, Abdullah. Just one of the yachts owned by the Saudi royal family, she’s spotted frequently throughout Europe, especially in Cannes, where the royal family owns a property. 

She’s been redecorated once — in 2007 — in a project that took 15 months to complete, without even taking into account the rest of the ship’s upkeep. The Prince Abdulaziz is known for its combination of bold colors and fusion of traditional and modern design, thanks to its influence from the late David Hicks.

8. A+ | 483 feet – 147m

What do you do when the name “A” is already taken for your superyacht? Choose the next closest thing: A+. Previously named Topaz, this superyacht was the world’s fourth-largest luxury yacht when she was built, before being stripped of that particular title only a few years later. 

Nevertheless, she’s a seriously impressive superyacht, with endless facilities like a large jacuzzi, double helicopter landing pads, a swimming pool with a swimming platform and underwater lights, as well as a fitness hall, cinema, and a large conference room. She’s also well equipped with water toys, like jet skis, inflatable boats, a catamaran, and even a mini-submarine.

7. Al Said | 508 feet – 155m

Another Superyacht built, shrouded in secrecy, Al-Said was referred to as “Project Sunflower” the entire time she was being created, right up until she was delivered to her owner in 2008. Not much is known about Al Said, from her movements through to her amenities — although she is known to have a huge concert room with space for a full 50-person orchestra. 

Currently, she’s flying the flag of Oman and has spent a lot of time in its surrounding waters. Her interior was styled by British designer design house RWD, with exterior design being credited to Espen Oeino. When she was delivered to the Sultan of Oman, she replaced a previous ship of a smaller size. 

6. Dilbar | 511 feet – 156m

Dilbar, or Project Omar, as it was originally known as, is another superyacht designed with the help of exterior expert Espen Oeino, but with interiors strikingly designed by Andrew Winch. Dilbar is famously known as the world’s largest yacht by gross tonnage (interior volume) but as the fifth-longest superyacht in the world. 

She’s home to a spa pool and beach club, as well as a large private cinema, spacious cabins set high on the main deck, a spacious dining room, and a salon with its own piano. She’s just as classy and beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

5. Blue | 527 feet—160.6m

Sunday blues simply cease to exist on one of the world’s most extravagant superyachts. The elegant behemoth was built for member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi and billionaire, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2022. Valued at over $600 million, Blue is one of the most expensive superyachts in the world. And with a strong emphasis on the environment, this superyacht is also one of the most sustainable. 

Blue strives to be as environmentally friendly as possible. She is equipped with a highly efficient Diesel-Electric Hybrid Propulsion Concept developed by Lürssen’s own engineering specialists. And the wastewater treatment plant allows water to be disposed of in drinking water quality.

4. Dubai | 531 feet – 162m

Dubai had multiple names in the planning stages—including Panhandle, Platinum, and Golden Star. Owned by the ruler of Dubai, it was aptly named after its home country and comes with all of the luxurious amenities you’d expect from such a name. 

The Dubai comes complete with a huge swimming pool and two jacuzzis. Further down, you’ll find a large dining room with striking blue and burgundy decor and space for up to 90 guests. Dubai usually spends her time moored at Sheikh Mohammed’s private island in front of his summer palace in Dubai. She’s basically the definition of a floating palace.

3. Eclipse | 533 feet – 162.5m

It took around five years for Eclipse to be built from start to finish. While she was always designed to be a huge, luxurious Superyacht, the focus was more on decking it out appropriately rather than breaking any records. An award-winning superyacht, she’s incredibly spacious, with endless rooms to explore and a sleek, neutral color palette running through. 

The Eclipse’s owner, Roman Abramovich, was more focused on facilities: he wanted more than one helicopter pad and a large swimming pool, too. Other than that, designer Terry Disdale had free reign for the rest of the superyacht. It’s just as much a clean piece of architectural styling as it is a stunning experience on deck.

2. Fulk Al Salamah | 538 feet – 164m

Fulk Al Salamah translates to “Ship of Peace” and that’s something that sounds like a given when you’ve taken a look at this superyacht’s incredible layout. Developed under the codename Project Saffron, Fulk Al Salamah is more of a support vessel than she is a typical superyacht. 

While she might still come complete with all of the necessities for a particularly relaxing voyage, she’s more so known for being a transport ship for the Royal Navy of Oman. She’s also used as a sort of friendship boat — pun intended — and is often sailed across the world with the intention of strengthening ties with the Sultanate. In some ports, influential people are welcomed onboard.

1. Azzam | 590 feet – 181m

Most superyachts in the top 10 category have a few mere inches between sizes, but the Azzam shoots far ahead with a large amount of extra length. The largest superyacht in the world, she was never designed to win the title — rather just to be a sleek and elegant vessel. Azzam was crafted backward, with the plans for her interior confirmed long before her exterior was fully signed off. 

Her length only came to be as such to incorporate everything required for the interiors, which added an extra 35 meters to her overall size. She’s also designed to look smaller than she actually is, with a blend of indoor and outdoor living. It took more than 4,000 people to build Azzam , clocking up six million man-hours over a period of four years.

The largest yachts in the world: Conclusion

The largest yachts in the world are:

• Azzam—590 feet
• Fulk Al Salamah—538 feet
• Eclipse—533 feet
• Dubai—531 feet
• Blue—527 feet
• Dilbar—511 feet
• Al Said —508 feet
• A+—483 feet
• Prince Abdulaziz—482 feet
• Opera—480 feet
• OK—479 feet
• El Mahrousa—478 feet
• Sailing Yacht A—469 feet
• Nord—465 feet
• Yas—463 feet
• Ocean Victory—460 feet
• Scheherazade —459 feet
• Solaris—458 feet
• Al Salamah—457 feet
• Rising Sun—454 feet
• Flying Fox—446 feet
• Savarona—446 feet
• Crescent—445 feet
• Serene —439 feet
• Al Mirqab—436 feet
• Y721 (aka Koru)—417 feet

The most expensive yacht in the world

The fact that the History Supreme, the world’s most expensive superyacht, comes coated in gold, is only part of the reason for its high cost. A superyacht with a real-life Midas touch, it was sold to an anonymous Malaysian businessman for $4.8 billion. 

Robert Kuok, the richest Malaysian businessman, is the rumored owner of History Supreme, but no one has confirmed for sure. The History Supreme also comes with plenty of other impressive touches: a master bedroom decked out in platinum, a wall feature made from meteoric stone, and a genuine T-Rex dinosaur bone, to add to the list. 

She took three years to build from scratch and comes with 10,000 kilograms of solid gold and platinum. Other seriously luxe features are her 68 kilograms 24-carat gold Aquavista Panoramic Wall Aquarium and a liquor bottle adorned with a rare 18.5-carat diamond . The base of the vessel comes wrapped in gold, too.

Frequently asked questions about the world’s largest yachts

The largest yachts in the world are owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Roman Abramovich, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Alisher Usmanov. Our guide tells you more about all the biggest yachts in the world .

At 417 feet (127 m), Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ sailing yacht, Koru (formerly Project Y721), is one of the world’s largest yachts.

The 181-m (590 ft) Azzam is the world’s longest yacht in length, but the 156-m Dilbar has a much larger internal volume (measured in Gross Tons) at 15,917 GT (Gross Tons) versus 13,136 GT for Azzam. As such, Dilbar is the world’s largest yacht in volume. Read our full guide to discover the largest yachts in the world .

The biggest yacht in the world is the Azzam , which has an estimated cost of $600 million. She’s owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is not currently for sale.

In terms of the number of megayachts, the largest superyacht-owning country is the United States. Nationality-wise, beyond American, an increasing percentage of superyacht owners are Turkish, Greek, Emirati, German, Australian and Dutch.

About the author

Emma Treagus

Women’s fashion & travel editor.

A former fashion assistant and budding entrepreneur who calls the world her home, Emma writes many of Luxe Digital’s women’s style and travel stories, drawing on her passion and experience for slow fashion alongside an appreciation for current trends. When she’s not getting her way with words, you’ll find her exploring a new city (at quite a walking pace)—locating the nearest sushi restaurant or devouring a book on the beach.

Learn more about Emma Treagus

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• Lurssen Yachts

On the 5th April 2013 Lürssen, the leading shipyard for large luxury yacht building, launched the 180m yacht AZZAM - the largest motor yacht in the world. The sleek and elegant superyacht features exterior design by Nauta Design.

Fulk Al Salamah

• Mariotti Yachts

This 164-metre (538ft) superyacht was built in Italy by Mariotti Yachts and now sits in the Omani capital as part of the royal fleet. The Italian built superyacht is currently the second largest privately owned yacht in the world, after Lurssen's Azzam.

• Blohm + Voss

Roman Abramovich's yacht Eclipse has received a huge amount of industry attention, not just for its size but for the celebrity of its owner. Eclipse is the largest and most expensive superyacht ever built. When initially ordered she was estimated to cost approximately £330million, by the time she was delivered however, her overall costs were closer to the £1billion mark due to the extra luxury fittings and security measures required by her owner. With a crew of up to 60, Eclipse is a giant of the sea. She was the fourth superyacht comissioned by Abramovich.

• Platinum Yachts

This magnificent yacht was originally commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. Construction was suspended in 1998 and the vessel left unfinished until HH Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum secured the rumoured $300 million project. Platinum Yachts took the mega yacht to completion and in 2006 launched Dubai to become the world’s largest private yacht. Today however, Dubai is the second largest privately owned yacht in the world.

Launched in February 2022, Project Blue is Lurssen's latest secretive yacht project. With little revealed about her specifications and designers, her expansive size was confirmed by the German shipyard following her launch: an incredible 160m. Project Blue will be Lurssen's second-largest superyacht, and is due to be delivered in 2023. She was recently spotted in Bremerhaven, Germany, making her way out to sea for her maiden sea trial. She is expected to have a beam of 21m, and a gross tonnage of 15,320 GT. Her other specifications are currently unknown.

Originally known as Project Omar, the 156 metre superyacht Dilbar was launched in 2016 after over 4 years of construction. A favourite with yachtspotters worldwide, Dilbar is considered the largest superyacht in the world by volume.

Like most royal superyachts, little is known about Al Said, a giant mega yacht formerly codenamed "Project Sunflower". She was delivered to the Sultan of Oman in 2008 as a replacement for a smaller mega yacht of the same name. At a stunning 155m, Al Said consists of six large decks and features striking exterior and interior design by Espen Oeino International, the same company that designed the stunning 127m mega yacht Octopus. According to reports, Al Said is said to accommodate as many as 70 guests and 154 professional crew, as well as featuring a concert room capable of accommodating a 50 piece orchestra.

When construction of A+ (formerly named Topaz) first began she was forecast to be the 4th largest yacht in the world and to measure approximately 147m (482’3’’ft). Having left her floating shed at the Lürssen shipyard located in Bremen, Germany, she is now ready to claim that mantle and undergo the final phases of construction.

Prince Abdulaziz

• Helsingor Vaerft

As one of the yachts of the Saudi Royal Family, Prince Abdulaziz is used to conduct official business as well as for pleasure. The largest yacht built in the 20th century, the interior alone took 15 months to complete. Originally built for the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia who named the yacht after his son, it is now owned by his brother Abddullah.

Very little is known about Lurssen's mysterious superyacht OPERA. At 146m, the superyacht will be the sixth largest yacht Lurssen has built at the time of her launch in September 2022. OPERA was first spotted in May 2021 when she transported to the yard's Bremen outfitting facilities in Germany.

El Mahrousa

• Samuda Bros.

This Egyptian presidential yacht is not only one of the world’s largest but also one of the oldest. Built in 1865 in London, the yacht was intended for the King of Egypt. Originally named Mahroussa, El Horriya was extended in 1872 and again in 1905.  Nowadays she is berthed in Alexandria and is listed as a training ship by the Egyptian Navy.

Developed by German shipyard Lürssen, construction of Project Luminance is underway at their facilities near Lemwerder. Due to enter the esteemed list of the Top 10 largest superyachts in the world, information about the 145m superyacht is limited at this moment in time. Lürssen are world-famous for their incredible innovations and their capacity to build extremely large mega yachts filled with numerous features. Photos that have been captured of the boat indicate that she will have considerable deck space with plenty of room left over indoors to be packed out with luxury.

SAILING YACHT A

Sailing Yacht A is a highly unique vessel, with an LOA of 142.81m. She is one of the world’s largest and the most advanced superyachts with a number of unique features, including an underwater observation pod, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and premium navigation systems. Her three masts are the tallest and most highly loaded freestanding composite structures in the world. Her futuristic design was created by Philippe Starck, her smooth silver-metallic surfaces challenging the expectations of conventional aesthetics.

As one of the most well-known builders of Top 100 yachts, Lurssen's NORD (formerly Opus and Redwood) has been highly anticipated as one of the largest ever to launch from the German yard. Also the largest project set to launch in 2020, at 142m, she will accommodate up to 36 guests in 20 cabins and was designed by Nuvolari Lenard.

• ADMShipyards

The 141m superyacht Swift141, now christened 'Yas', was successfully launched by ADMShipyards in November 2011; entering the record books as both the largest launch of 2011 and most significant superyacht in recent history. ADMShipyards, members of Privinvest, has proudly announced the launch of their first superyacht. At 141 meters, this stunning private yacht ranks as the sixth largest superyacht in the world.

• Lloyd Werft

Project Solaris is the revolutionary explorer yacht built by German masters of engineering Lloyd Werft. Topping off the yard's record for ultra large luxury yacht build, Project Solaris is an estimated 139m+ explorer yacht at the German giant's shed.

Scheherezade

As with most yachts in construction at Lurssen, little is known about this 140m project. We do not yet know the designer or architect, but she has been spotted moving around the build-hall. Her sightings have lead yacht spotters on the docks of the yard to aptly name her 'Project Lightning.' We hope to see her launch towards the end of 2019.

Ocean Victory

• Fincantieri Yachts

The largest yacht ever built in Italy and one of the ten largest in the world, Fincantieri has announced the successful delivery of Project Victory - a 140 metre superyacht launched in 2014 - under the official name of Ocean Victory.

Code named as Mipos (short for Mission Possible) during her construction, Al Salamah belongs to Saudi Arabian Defence Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz. Kept a great secret, rumours tell that she has over 80 rooms, a helipad, and an indoor swimming pool complete with glass roof. A real working wonder, this yacht was completed in 1999 after only two years.

Owned by media bigwig David Geffen, Rising Sun is rumoured to have been commissioned by Ellison specifically to be larger than Paul Allen’s Octopus. This 2004 yacht is spread over five decks and is equipped with everything from Jacuzzi bathrooms and wine cellars to a top deck basketball court.

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10 Largest Private Yachts In The World

The private yacht is considered one of the most luxurious ways to travel. It’s commonly used by celebrities and others who can afford it, but with a private yacht in their possession comes an amount of responsibility. 

You’re not just paying for an overnight trip on the most expensive watercraft in the world – you’re taking care of something that requires a ton of maintenance. Private yachts are not new; they have been around for as long as the oceans have been rafted together.

Private yachts can be over 100 feet long, and they range from a luxurious home on the water to a family-friendly yacht carrying up to 140 passengers. The world of luxury yachts is full of magnificent boats meant to give owners the best in leisure and flair.

While many of these boats are owned by wealthy individuals or businesses, private individuals possess some of the largest and most stunning boats.

So please t back, relax, and let’s set sail on a tour of the largest private yachts in the world.

The OK yacht has emerged from a repair at Karmarine in Turkey, 40 years after its original launch by Japan’s Oshima Shipbuilding. The boat’s initial duty as a yacht transporter has been boosted with a stronger hull.

The platform may be lowered by pumping ballast into tanks beneath the aft deck. There’s also a 40-ton crane for placing various toys, which may range from cars to a seaplane. According to sources, this area may also be used as a tennis court.

Did You Know

The exterior has been updated with a new matte-black paint job, gold-tinted glass at the bow, stern, and sides, and a field of grass on the submersible aft deck, a concept from the owner to brighten the view from the guest rooms.

Prince Abdulaziz

The Danish shipyard Helsingor Vaerft delivered the 5,200-tonne Prince Abdulaziz to her first owner, Saudi King Fahd, in 1984. She has since continued to serve the Saudi royal family and is next to the king’s court in Jeddah.

Prince Abdulaziz was built to a design by Maierform at a reported cost of $184 million. Her interior design, by the late David Hicks, combines antique and modern elements. One noticeable feature is the vast lobby, which is supposed to be inspired by the Titanic.

She has a hospital, a mosque, and a movie theater. The super yacht can seat up to 64 people and is operated by a 65-person crew.

The Tim Heywood-designed A+, formerly known as Topaz, was introduced by Lürssen in 2012 and includes Heywood’s signature lighted on her superstructure.

Despite flying the Cayman flag, her owner is a member of the UAE aristocracy, reputedly Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who also owns the Manchester City football club in the United Kingdom.

The 147.25-meter superyacht has already been leased twice by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, and Terence Disdale has designed her interiors — but not much more is known about this superyacht since many of her aspects are still cloaked in mystery.

El Mahrousa

The Samuda Brothers shipyard was responsible for the first delivery of the El Mahrousa in 1865.

After holding the record for the longest yacht in the world for more than a century, she was ultimately dethroned in the 1980s by the delivery of Prince Abdulaziz, the world’s longest yacht at the time.

Khedive Ismail, the Ottoman administrator of Egypt at the time, commissioned her construction so that he could host visiting guests.

She participated in the festivities surrounding the inauguration of the Suez Canal in 1869, during which she served as a receptionist for various dignitaries in attendance. She received an additional 5.2 meters of lengthening in 1905 after removing her paddle wheels in 1872, which added up to 12.1 meters.

Did You Know?

In 1992, a significant amount of work was done to ensure that she would be seaworthy enough to make the journey to Italy for the Christopher Columbus Fleet Review.

The Oman Royal Yacht Squadron’s flagship ship, the Al Said , has a remarkable length of 155 meters and is an astounding sight.

She travels the seas flying the flag of Oman and calls Muttrah Harbour in Muscat, designed by Espen Aino, her home port. Traditional ocean liners inspired her exterior design.

This yacht can reach a peak speed of 25 knots and has a capacity for 150 crew members. Huge gathering rooms and sleeping quarters for up to 65 guests can be found throughout her paneled interiors, which were designed in a conventional manner by Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

The onboard concert hall is her crowning achievement; it has enough space for a full orchestra of fifty musicians. However, she also features a movie theater and a helipad among her six decks.

Lürssen constructed the Dilbar out of steel and aluminum according to Espen Ino’s design. Alisher Usmanov, a millionaire from Uzbekistan, delivered her in the Mediterranean in 2016, and she now belongs to him.

She took the place of Usmanov’s earlier yacht with the same name, which has since been rechristened as Ona. In most cases, she may occasionally be seen sailing about the southern region of France, the northern region of Spain, and even Cyprus.

The 30,000-kilowatt electric diesel power plant and the 180-cubic-meter swimming pool on board this SOLAS-class superyacht set new records for their respective categories.

The Lürssen yacht Blue has a greater gross weight than any of the top three largest yachts. The primary helipad may be found on the foredeck, while a secondary, smaller one can be found on the rear deck.

Other external features include a covered swimming pool located on the main deck aft, a bathing platform located at the stern, and twin balconies located on each side of the owner’s stateroom located ahead.

The intention was to create a stark contrast between the inside and outside of Blue by designing the interior to be ageless and abundant in “feminine beauty.”

Blue’s exhaust treatment system is state-of-the-art, allowing it to lower noise, vibration, and nitrogen oxide levels. The vessel also has cutting-edge membrane technology, which enables the vessel’s treated wastewater to meet the standards for use as drinking water.

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has a royal boat called Dubai , which is appropriately named after the emirate. The hotel’s suites, designed by Nakheel Interiors, have open balconies and include an owner’s suite, five VIP suites, and six guest suites.

The total capacity of the accommodation is twenty-four persons. In addition, an atrium that is 21.3 meters wide, a swimming pool, a grilling area, a theater, a disco, a landing platform that can accommodate a Blackhawk helicopter, a gymnasium, and storage space for the yacht’s submarine, and an extensive collection of water toys are among the special features.

In October of 2006, she was awarded full certification from Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, and since then, she has participated in several journeys. As a result, she can reach speeds up to 25 knots at her utmost potential.

In December of 2010, Eclipse finally sailed away from the Blohm & Voss yard after being meticulously designed, developed, and built over five years. But, unfortunately, she only held the title of the biggest superyacht in the world for three years. 

Blue Ocean Yacht Management operates Eclipse. It features a diesel-electric propulsion system with generators powering rotating Azipod drives, dramatic exterior styling, and a stunning interior design by London-based Terence Disdale Design.

Her deck sections include a swimming pool that is 16 meters long and can be converted into a dance floor; her interior is home to hundreds of one-of-a-kind finishes that were produced just for this project.

With the delivery of Azzam in October 2013, Lürssen established itself as the world’s largest private yacht builder . The initial plan called for her to be 145 meters in length, but while she was being optimized, her length increased to 180 meters.

Other jaw-dropping aspects of Azzam’s outstanding design include her whopping 13,136 gross tons and accommodations for as many as 80 crew members and up to 36 guests.

The yacht can reach speeds of over 31.5 mph thanks to her cutting-edge water-jet propulsion system, which consists of two fixed jets and two directional jets. This gives the boat an impressive top speed in relation to her size.

The main saloon is almost 522 square meters and was created by Christophe Leoni. It is decorated casually, reminiscent of the French Empire, and has finished made of mother of pearl. There is a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a “golf training room” on board.

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• Cars, Jets & Yachts

Flying Fox: The Largest Charter Yacht in the World

Flying Fox effortlessly vaulted to the title of largest private charter yacht in the world.

By Ellie Brade

A yacht the size of the 446-ft M/Y Flying Fox rarely comes onto the charter market. Following her spring 2019 delivery, this one-of-a-kind vessel effortlessly vaulted to the title of largest private charter yacht  in the world.

It is hard to know where to begin when trying to do justice to Flying Fox . Built in Germany by Lürssen , under the supervision of Imperial acting as builder supervisor and owner’s representative, she features a dove gray hull and distinctive curved exterior lines by Espen Øino, with an interior by Mark Berryman. Her staggering length of 446 ft, a beam of 74 ft and her huge volume mean it is no surprise that one of the yacht’s biggest assets is the sheer amount of space on board, both inside and out.

“ Flying Fox ’s layout has been wisely thought out by her designers to ensure that each area offers guests something unique, whether that is a two-story salon to entertain or a cinema room to be entertained,” says Julia Stewart, director of Imperial, the exclusive charter agent for Flying Fox . “The attention to every single detail has been critically observed to provide guests an unforgettable luxurious experience on board.”

A true passion project developed in close collaboration with her owner, Flying Fox ’s appealing design makes her eminently suited to the yacht charter market. Developed to be a home away from home, the yacht is packed with a near-endless list of features that make it hard to consider the idea of ever leaving.

“ Flying Fox caters to all types of charter guests thanks to her beautiful looks and limitless amenities,” says Stewart. “If you want to set out on an adventure, there are all the toys and tenders you will need and highly trained instructors to take care of you; if fine food is more what interests you, then the culinary offering is unrivaled; for wellness lovers, the spa is unparalleled.”

Flying Fox ’s contemporary and functional interior draws on Japanese influences to create a calm and serene environment that makes use of a small palette of colors and materials including bamboo, oak, fine stones and leather. Exquisite mosaic and tile work also feature throughout the decor. Fresh greenery and towering ficus trees and planters are special touches that enhance the entire vessel and effortlessly bring the outside in.

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PYC compliant, and able to welcome up to 36 guests in the care of 54 expert crew, Flying Fox has accommodations for 25 guests in 11 cabins. These include a show-stopping master suite complete with 180-degree views, his and hers dressing rooms, a private beauty room and a sitting room complete with its own fireplace — one of five fireplaces on board. The 10 additional guest cabins each have their own sea terraces for a personal view across the ocean. Each cabin is en suite with a 75-in TV screen and media center, and has its own design flair.

[See also: The World’s Most Expensive Superyachts for Charter]

A focal interior point for guests is the sweeping atrium-style, two-level salon, which takes full advantage of the available height and volume to deliver a large seating area that overlooks the main salon, with a real-wood fireplace, below. This light-filled haven invites guests to throw off the weight of the world and relax. Other popular interior spots include the full cinema with D-box seating for 14 guests, an Atmos sound system, media system with more than 3,000 movies, a virtual-reality system and an abundance of games. A private dining room, with another real fireplace and enough seating for all on board, boasts its own aquarium as part of the styling, and is the ideal setting for enjoying formal meals created by the yacht’s talented culinary team.

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An emphasis on social living, wellness and relaxation is seen throughout and nowhere less so than the spa. “Covering 4,305 sq ft over two floors, the spa is a state-of-the-art achievement that has been called a ‘little Palace Hotel Merano,’” says Stewart. “From the impressive Jacuzzi set in the middle, through to the hammam, sauna, cryo sauna, dry and wet massage areas, or the fully equipped 970-sq-ft gym, the assets offered are above expectations and run by trained professionals, with proven credentials, or former Olympic athletes.” The cryotherapy chamber is of particular note, as it’s the first to ever be installed on a private yacht, and is able to go down to temperatures of -166 Fahrenheit; it will tick the boxes for those looking for a true endorphin rush. A private medic is also part of the crew on board.

This dedication to wellness is seen across every deck, with numerous spaces to gather, relax and enjoy the water. The nearly 74-ft-wide swimming platform serves as a base for sunbathing and utilizing the yacht’s vast collection of water gear that includes a large selection of tenders, jet skis and Seabobs. A fully equipped professional dive center is positioned on the port side of the lower deck, with two dedicated folding terraces. “The on-board dive center is the best ever built on a superyacht,” says Stewart. “Run by PADI-certified specialists who have the ability to train guests, it includes an impressive selection of gear of all sizes, its own breathing system that allows it to be completely autonomous and a three-seat decompression chamber.”

If the ocean doesn’t appeal, then head to the main deck, home to a truly impressive 40-ft pool. Placed transversely — a unique approach when compared to most superyacht layouts — the pool has an adjustable floor height that allows users to tailor their swim, with swim and massage jets at alternate ends. The pool is also a popular gathering spot for sunbathing or simply enjoying drinks and the undisturbed views. Other highlights across the four exterior decks include sheltered lounge areas, sun-drenched teak decks, two Jacuzzis — one on the owner’s deck and one on the sun deck forward — and the privately positioned roof deck that delivers escapism and serenity in equal measure.

[See also: How the Spectacular Superyacht Scout is Making Waves]

Food lovers will appreciate the multitude of dining options found throughout the yacht. “On the cuisine side, Flying Fox is definitely out of this world: not only carrying some of the best chefs, with some having worked with Michelin-starred chefs, but also having impressive galley capacities and incredible areas to dine,” says Stewart. Favorite spots include the bridge deck, with a dining setup, bar and an open kitchen with cooking options, including a full-size rotisserie, tandoori, pizza oven and teppanyaki and churrasco grills, which ensure all tastes and flavors are covered.

While capable of traveling to far-flung destinations, Flying Fox is currently based in the Mediterranean. Access in even the most remote anchorages is easy thanks to the two helipads on board, with the upper deck helipad ranked as ‘18-meter D-Value’ and big enough to accommodate Flying Fox ’s Airbus H175 12-seat helicopter, the largest private helicopter in the world. The upper deck helipad has a double use and can transform into a dance floor like no other for partying under the stars.

The visionary  Flying Fox  yacht dwarfs her competitors — literally and figuratively — and delivers luxury escapism in the highest measure.

  Flying Fox yacht is available to charter from $4m per week.

[See also: Twenty for 20: Innovative Yachts of the 21st Century]

Ellie Brade

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Wagner Group Chief Prigozhin Dead In Plane Crash Near Moscow – Reports

Russia-Ukraine War Prigozhin Listed as Passenger on Plane That Crashed, Killing All Aboard

The authorities did not confirm whether the Wagner mercenary leader, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, was on board when a private jet crashed north of Moscow on Wednesday, killing 10 people.

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Anton Troianovski

Here’s the latest on the crash.

Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group who staged a brief mutiny against Russia’s military leadership in June, was listed as a passenger on a plane that crashed Wednesday, killing all 10 people aboard, according to Russian aviation authorities.

“An investigation of the Embraer plane crash that happened in the Tver Region this evening was initiated,” the Federal Agency for Air Transport of Russia said in a statement, according to the state news agency Tass . “According to the passenger list, first and last name of Yevgeny Prigozhin was included in this list.” But late into the Russian evening, the authorities had not officially confirmed that he had been killed.

The plane left Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport at about 6 p.m. local time, bound for St. Petersburg, and went down less than 100 miles to the northwest, near the city of Tver. In an article about the crash, the Russian state media agency, RIA Novosti, posted an unconfirmed video , widely shared on social media, that purports to show the plane tumbling from the sky, with smoke billowing.

The crash came hours after Russian authorities said that General Sergei Surovikin, a top officer who was seen as an ally of Mr. Prigozhin, had been relieved of his post. Mr. Surovikin and Mr. Prigozhin were seen as among the most ruthlessly effective Russian military leaders, both sidelined in power struggles with officials who had the ear of President Vladimir V. Putin.

Here are the latest developments:

Russian media have reported that the plane that crashed on Wednesday was an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet with the tail number RA-02795. Past news reports have linked the plane to Mr. Prigozhin and Wagner.

Russian media reported that all 10 bodies had been recovered from the site.

In the United States, the State Department and the National Security Council released statements saying that “no one should be surprised” if Mr. Prigozhin’s death was confirmed, drawing links to “the disastrous war in Ukraine,” Wagner’s march on Moscow “and now — it would seem — to this.”

President Biden, at Lake Tahoe, was asked if he thought Mr. Putin, was behind the crash. “There’s not much that happens in Russia that Putin’s not behind,” he answered. “But I don’t know enough to know the answer.”

In the evening, Russian television showed Mr. Putin commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Battle of Kursk.

Embraer, the Brazilian maker of the Legacy 600 business jet that crashed on Wednesday, said that it had stopped providing any support for the aircraft in 2019 because of sanctions. Typically that support is largely maintenance related. It can potentially include data monitoring, but it’s unclear if that was the case with this jet.

The Brazilian Air Force has also said that the responsibility of the crash investigation is on Russia in this case, and that Brazil (as the home country of Embraer) would only get involved if Russia reaches out. It has not.

Some Wagner supporters voice suspicions of a Russian assassination.

As reports of the Wagner mercenary tycoon Yevgeny V. Prigozhin’s possible death in a plane crash spread on Wednesday night, some of his supporters immediately began voicing suspicions of an assassination in online posts on the Telegram messaging app.

Most did not explicitly say who they thought was responsible, but left little doubt that they meant figures within the Russian government. Mr. Prigozhin had railed for months against the country’s military leadership, accusing it of incompetence, corruption and betrayal that hobbled the war effort in Ukraine.

Grey Zone, a channel associated with Wagner, uploaded a photograph of Mr. Prigozhin, praising him as a “true patriot of his Motherland” and saying that he died “as a result of the actions of traitors to Russia.”

“But even in Hell he will be the best!” the channel said. “Glory to Russia!”

Roman Saponkov, a Russian military blogger seen as close to the mercenary group, wrote that the “murder of Prigozhin will have catastrophic consequences.”

“The people who gave the order don’t understand the mood in the army or the morale at all,” he said.

A blogger writing anonymously under the pseudonym Alex Parker, who actively supported Mr. Prigozhin until he aborted a June 24 mutiny, suggested the tycoon’s apparent death was a repeat of what happened in 2015 and 2016 — when a number of militants who had carried out a Moscow-instigated invasion in eastern Ukraine were killed in apparent assassinations.

The blogger blamed Mr. Prigozhin’s apparent death on Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, calling him the “trigger” for such events.

“Today is the end of an era,” wrote the pro-war blogger Boris Rozhin, who posts under the Telegram pseudonym Colonelcassad. “August in Russia never fails in terms of bad news,” he added, referencing a longstanding superstition in Russia about a seemingly cursed month.

Some pro-government commentators were quick to turn the page.

Sergei Markov, a Russian political scientist and former adviser to Mr. Putin, quickly pinned the blame on Ukraine, eliciting more than a thousand “crying laughing” emojis in response.

The pro-war Russian military blog Arkhangel Spetsnaz, which has more than 900,000 followers on Telegram, said it was “closing the issue” of the plane crash.

“Leave all conjectures and investigations for later. When the enemy is defeated and victory will be ours,” the channel wrote. “Don’t muddy the waters now… The enemy takes advantage of every destabilizing situation.”

Where the plane crashed

St. Petersburg

Destination

Last tracked position

First tracked position

Last tracked

First tracked

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Elian Peltier

Reporting from Dakar, Senegal

Wagner’s future in Africa faces further uncertainty.

The future of the Wagner private military company in Africa, one of the force’s main areas of operation, with thousands of soldiers on the ground, would be thrown further into uncertainty without Yevgeny V. Prigozhin as its leader.

Wagner operatives provide security to autocratic African leaders seeking to stay in power, as well as boots on the ground to fight rebels or extremist groups alongside underequipped national armies. Wagner also provides misinformation tactics, which have given the group’s members a veneer of popularity even as they have been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including torture, mass killings and rape, in the countries where they operate.

Mr. Prigozhin’s aborted mutiny in Russia in June, which led Wagner forces to seek refuge in Belarus, had already raised doubts about the group’s operations in Africa, where it has developed a vast business empire and network of relationships with African leaders. But hours after that rebellion was called off, officials with the Russian Foreign Ministry phoned the president of the Central African Republic to assure him that the thousands of Wagner fighters deployed in his country would stay.

Besides the Central African Republic , Wagner’s launchpad in Africa, Wagner mercenaries are known to be deployed in Libya, Mali and Sudan .

In the Central African Republic, Wagner soldiers recently helped the authorities organize a referendum to rewrite the Constitution to allow the president to stay in power indefinitely.

In Mali, about 1,500 operatives have been deployed to fight off an Islamist insurgency, and in recent days they have been on the front line of a nascent conflict against rebel groups in the north of the country. Mr. Prigozhin appeared in an unverified recruitment video this week that several experts on the group said had been recorded in Africa, most likely in Mali.

An adviser to the Central African Republic’s president couldn’t be reached immediately on Wednesday, and a spokeswoman for the Malian military didn’t respond to requests for comment.

For years, questions have swirled around Wagner’s ambitions in Africa and where the group might expand next, especially in countries where military officers seized power.

After the coup in Niger last month, some Western and West African governments feared the country could become Wagner’s next priority . Mr. Prigozhin praised the coup in a voice message on Telegram and offered the group’s services to Niger’s new leaders.

A top civilian official representing the junta told The New York Times last week that to his knowledge, the new authorities had no intention of partnering with Wagner.

Laurence Tan

An informal memorial next to the former Wagner headquarters early Thursday in St. Petersburg, Russia. Yevgeny V. Prigozhin is not only famous for being the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, but he has built his own personal brand on social media.

Cassandra Vinograd

Who is Dmitri Utkin, the Wagner commander who gave the group its name?

The flight manifest for the plane that crashed north of Moscow on Wednesday night contained at least one other notable name in addition to Yevgeny V. Prigozhin — that of Dmitri Utkin, his longtime lieutenant in leading the Wagner private military company whose mercenaries have fought not only in Ukraine, but also in Syria and across Africa.

Wagner, which the U.S. government has said was financed by Mr. Prigozhin, emerged during President Vladimir V. Putin’s first assault on Ukraine in 2014, when its mercenaries fought alongside pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region. The Wagner commander at that time was Mr. Utkin, a retired Russian Special Forces officer said to be fascinated by Nazi history and culture.

The group’s name came from Mr. Utkin’s military call sign, which is said to have been taken from the composer Richard Wagner , Hitler’s favorite. Some of the group’s fighters also seemed to share that ideology: Ancient Norse symbols favored by white supremacists have been photographed on Wagner equipment in Africa and the Middle East.

Mr. Utkin, born in 1970, served in both of Russia’s wars against separatists in the Chechnya region, and he was in the G.R.U., the Russian military intelligence agency, until 2013. After that he commanded a Spetsnaz special forces unit and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel, according to a 2020 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

While over the years Mr. Utkin has been referred to as the “founder” of Wagner, a 2020 investigation by the investigative website Bellingcat said that open source data “strongly” suggested the Mr. Utkin was “not in the driver’s seat of setting up this private army” but rather a “hired gun.”

“While Dmitry Utkin has been widely presented as the front man and ‘principal’ for the Wagner PMC, there is ample data suggesting that his role was more of a field commander,” the report said.

After denying for years that he had any link to Wagner, Mr. Prigozhin admitted last year that he was its founder and chief.

Whatever his role in establishing Wagner, Mr. Utkin’s notoriety grew along with the military group’s — even though he was rarely seen, described by Bellingcat as “camera shy.”

Wagner expanded to Syria in 2015, tasked not only with bolstering the side of President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s civil war — but also with seizing oil and gas fields, American officials said .

In addition to Ukraine and Syria, Wagner operatives have also fought in Sudan, Central African Republic, Mali and Mozambique, extending Russian influence in Africa.

Mr. Putin awarded Mr. Utkin military honors at a banquet in 2016. A year later, the United States imposed sanctions on him for his activities with Wagner — specifically, recruiting soldiers to join separatist forces in Ukraine. (Britain, the European Union and Canada also imposed sanctions on Mr. Utkin and Mr. Prigozhin.)

After Russia began the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Wagner’s fighters took on a major role — most notably in the bloody, nearly yearlong battle for Bakhmut, where they ultimately claimed victory .

Even after the short-lived mutiny led by Mr. Prigozhin against Russia’s military leadership in June, Mr. Utkin stayed by the Wagner chief’s side.

Video emerged in July that appeared to feature Mr. Prigozhin delivering a speech to his fighters who had relocated to Belarus. After finishing, he turned the floor over to Mr. Utkin.

“This is not the end,” Mr. Utkin said.

Sheera Frenkel and Steven Lee Myers

With few available facts about the crash, rumors surge.

Conspiracy theories and misinformation flowed across the internet on Wednesday about the founder of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, after he was listed as a passenger on a plane that crashed outside Moscow earlier in the day.

People made claims that Mr. Prigozhin had staged the crash to fake his own death, on the same QAnon message boards in which others said that the United States was secretly responsible for his death. On far-right Telegram channels, users posted images of a map showing a second plane leaving Moscow shortly after the first, doomed flight, along with the claims that Mr. Prigozhin was on a second plane also owned by his company. The New York Times was not able to verify any of the claims.

The unclear circumstances surrounding the crash created exactly the type of confusion in which misinformation can easily spread, an irony given that Mr. Prigozhin was a pioneer in the field of establishing and sowing misinformation campaigns.

Although Russian officials said Mr. Prigozhin was listed on the plane’s manifest on Wednesday and that all 10 people on the flight were killed, officials have not said publicly that his remains had been identified.

More than a decade ago, Mr. Prigozhin created Russian troll farms, including the Internet Research Agency, to spread pro-Russian narratives. The troll farms were also part of a campaign to sow confusion in the United States and influence its elections — which he later boasted about — and in particular the 2016 presidential contest.

Those efforts led to a federal indictment of Mr. Prigozhin and others.

The fates of two men key to Putin’s war are now both in question.

Yevgeny V. Prigozhin led the Wagner mercenary force that is believed to have suffered tens of thousands of casualties in its victorious fight for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, hobbling Ukraine’s preparations for its counteroffensive .

Gen. Sergei Surovikin oversaw the construction of the daunting network of defensive lines in the territory that Russia occupies in Ukraine, a defense that Ukrainian troops have struggled to break through.

On Wednesday, Russian state media reported that the general had been demoted, and that the mercenary was listed as a passenger on a plane that crashed, killing everyone on board.

Wednesday’s fast-moving developments in Russia suggested that the end had come, in different ways, for two men who had proved pivotal over the past year to Russia’s war effort. If Mr. Prigozhin is confirmed to have been killed and General Surovikin remains sidelined from the invasion, questions are sure to be raised over whether President Vladimir V. Putin can sustain his fight without two of his most effective — and most brutal — military leaders.

The war itself has been a grinding slog for both sides.

Nearly three months into their counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces are still struggling to recapture territory occupied by Russia. American officials blame , among other things, Kyiv’s continued focus on Bakhmut, the city into which Mr. Prigozhin poured thousands of fighters recruited from Russian prisons for one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

Russian forces, too, have made little gains since taking Bakhmut. Analysts say that those troops are increasingly exhausted as they defend against Ukraine’s onslaught, and that Mr. Putin might well be forced to declare another draft of civilians to replenish the invading army’s ranks.

Yonette Joseph

Russia’s Emergency Services say the remains of all 10 people on board the plane that crashed north of Moscow have been recovered, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.

The name of Dmitri Utkin, the Wagner mercenary group’s most prominent commander, was also on the passenger manifest of the plane that crashed on Wednesday, as released by Russia’s aviation authority .

Wagner reportedly took its name from the nom de guerre of Utkin, a retired Russian Special Forces commander. Utkin is said to have chosen Wagner to honor the composer, who was a favorite of Hitler’s.

Julian E. Barnes

U.S. intelligence officials say they cannot confirm reports of Prigozhin’s death.

American officials said they could not confirm the reports from Russia that Yevgeny V. Prigozhin had been killed in an airplane crash, or why the jet went down.

U.S. intelligence agencies had been surprised that President Vladimir V. Putin had not yet taken action against him after his short-lived mutiny in June.

In July, William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director, said that a “complicated dance” with Mr. Putin had developed. Mr. Prigozhin continued to travel between Russia and Belarus, where President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko had offered Mr. Prigozhin and his fighters refuge, and other locations. But Mr. Burns predicted that Mr. Putin would move against Mr. Prigozhin, who staged the most significant challenge to Mr. Putin’s authority in decades with his rebellion .

“Putin is someone who generally thinks that revenge is a dish best served cold,” Mr. Burns said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado last month. “So he’s going to try to settle the situation to the extent he can. But, again, in my experience, Putin is the ultimate apostle of payback. So I would be surprised if Prigozhin escapes further retribution for this.”

U.S. officials have said that Russia continues to depend on the Wagner mercenary group, particularly for its operations in Africa, a relationship that could have offered Mr. Prigozhin some insurance. But Russia was no longer dependent on the private forces in Ukraine, a reality that potentially gave Mr. Putin a broad hand, other officials noted previously.

On Wednesday, Russian media announced the ouster of Gen. Sergei Surovikin . U.S. officials said General Surovikin had at least known about Mr. Prigozhin’s planned mutiny and may have supported it. As a result, General Surovikin had lost his command, and was under some sort of movement restrictions, if not formal detention, U.S. officials confirmed Wednesday, shortly before the news of the crash became public.

After the announcement of General Surovikin’s removal, American officials noted that they were surprised by how Mr. Prigozhin continued to appear relatively free, recently traveling to Africa and posting a video on social media. In contrast, General Surovikin had lost his freedom of movement, a U.S. official said.

In an article about the crash, the Russian state media agency, RIA Novosti, posted an unconfirmed video , widely shared on social media, that purports to show the plane tumbling from the sky, with smoke billowing.

Erica L. Green

President Biden, who is at Lake Tahoe, was asked if he thought the Russian leader, Vladimir V. Putin, was behind the crash. “There’s not much that happens in Russia that Putin’s not behind,” he answered. “But I don’t know enough to know the answer.”

The pro-war Russian military blogger Arkhangel Spetsnaz, commented on the crash, urging his more than 900,000 followers on Telegram to “leave all conjectures and investigations for later.” The post continues: “Don’t muddy the waters now,” and says, “The enemy takes advantage of every destabilizing situation.”

Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, posted what appeared to be a thinly veiled reference to the news of the crash on his Telegram account. Yermak, who frequently uses emojis to convey news and reactions, posted a simple audio link — to the song “Highway to Hell.”

Elian Peltier Ivan Nechepurenko and Raja Abdulrahim

Prigozhin’s business empire stretches around the world.

A chocolate museum in St. Petersburg. A gold mine in the Central African Republic. Oil and gas ventures off the Syrian coast.

The economic ventures of Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, a former hot dog seller turned Wagner group warlord who staged a brief mutiny against Russia’s military last month, stretch far beyond the thousands of mercenaries he deployed in Ukraine, Africa and the Middle East.

Through a vast network of shell companies and intermediaries, Mr. Prigozhin’s activities have included catering, producing action movies, making beer and vodka, cutting timber, mining diamonds and hiring people to sow disinformation in elections abroad, including the 2016 U.S. election.

The exact size of his business has been shrouded in mystery and the fate of his sprawling empire is uncertain.

After Mr. Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny in June, The New York Times took a look at his business interests around the world.

Timeline: What led to the June standoff between Russia’s leadership and Prigozhin?

For years, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the Wagner mercenary leader who conducted a brief rebellion against the Russian military, had been a loyal supporter of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. But in October, he began to openly criticize the Russian government.

Here is a timeline of the events leading to his break with Mr. Putin:

October 2022

Mr. Prigozhin was one of two powerful supporters of Mr. Putin to publicly turn on Russia’s military leadership after it ordered a retreat from Lyman, a key city in eastern Ukraine , emphasizing that the retreat was a major embarrassment for the Kremlin.

November 2022

Just a day before the U.S. midterms, Mr. Prigozhin sardonically boasted that Russia was interfering in the election .

February 2023

Mr. Prigozhin accused two Russian military leaders of treason in a series of hostile audio messages. He claimed that the Russian defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, and its most senior general, Valery V. Gerasimov, were withholding ammunition and supplies from his fighters to try to destroy Wagner.

Mr. Prigozhin issued a series of inflammatory statements. He once again accused Russia’s military bureaucracy of starving Wagner forces of necessary ammunition and threatened to withdraw them from Bakhmut . Days later, he appeared to backtrack on that threat after saying he had been promised more arms.

Mr. Putin mobilized Russian troops to defend Moscow from what he called an armed rebellion by Mr. Prigozhin, whose forces had claimed control of Rostov-on-Don and were seen moving north along a highway toward the Russian capital. Then, in a surprise turn of events, the Belarusian president, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, said he had secured Mr. Prigozhin’s agreement to halt his forces’ advance. Mr. Prigozhin turned his forces around.

The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, said that Mr. Prigozhin would flee to Belarus, and that Russia’s military operations in Ukraine would continue unchanged.

Mr. Lukashenko told reporters that Mr. Prigozhin was a “free man” currently in St. Petersburg, adding that he “maybe” went to Moscow and was not in Belarus. A Pentagon official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation later confirmed that Mr. Prigozhin had been in Russia, between Moscow and St. Petersburg, during most of the period since the mutiny.

Unverified photographs circulated on social media suggested that Mr. Prigozhin was meeting with African officials in St. Petersburg, where some of the continent’s top leaders had converged for a summit with Mr. Putin.

August 2023

Mr. Prigozhin emerged in an unverified video message posted on Telegram channels affiliated with his Wagner forces, appearing to recruit for the group’s operations in Africa. On Wednesday, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, was demoted from his post as chief of the air force, according to Russian state media. The country’s former top commander in Ukraine, he is the only senior official with ties to Mr. Prigozhin that has been demoted or punished following the rebellion’s aftermath.

Lauren Leatherby

This was the path of the plane.

Data tracking the position of the plane that crashed abruptly cuts off about 100 miles northwest of Moscow, according to Flightradar24 .

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s fate remains unclear. Several Russian news outlets are reporting, citing anonymous sources, that he was indeed on the plane that crashed. But Grey Zone, a Telegram account associated with Prigozhin’s Wagner mercenary group, just posted that it remained uncertain whether the warlord was dead or alive.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, a top law enforcement body, announced the opening of a case on the plane crash, on suspicion of a violation of air transport safety rules. It said investigators had been dispatched to the site of the crash.

Eric Schmitt

The White House National Security Council said it had seen the reports of the crash in Russia involving Yevgeny Prigozhin. “If confirmed, no one should be surprised,” said a spokeswoman, Adrienne Watson.“The disastrous war in Ukraine led to a private army marching on Moscow, and now — it would seem — to this.”

Edward Wong

The State Department has issued the same public statement on the events as the National Security Council. It is unclear if U.S. government agencies have any concrete facts or intelligence on what happened. But the statements appear to be efforts to pin the blame on the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, and his “disastrous war,” as the American officials put it.

Russian television has been airing live footage of President Vladimir V. Putin in the Kursk region to honor the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. “I heartily congratulate all citizens of Russia on this event,” Putin says, standing onstage in front of an orchestra.

The White House says President Biden has been briefed on the reported plane crash in Russia.

The Russian aviation authority issued a new statement on the crash, announcing that it had created a special commission that was “investigating the circumstances and causes of the accident.” The statement offered no comment on the cause of the crash but said the commission would look for evidence, including black box records.

The Russian state television channel Rossiya-24 just aired a brief report on the plane crash, naming Yevgeny Prigozhin as being on the passenger list but without providing any new details. It cited the authorities as saying that three pilots and seven passengers had been on the plane.

U.S. officials said they could not confirm the Russian reports that Yvegeny Prigozhin was aboard a plane that crashed, killing all aboard.

Riley Mellen

Video shared on the messaging platform Telegram appears to show the aircraft that reportedly crashed burning on the ground. The paint and a partial registration number visible on the aircraft in the video aligns with a jet the Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin is known to use, RA-02795. Flight tracking websites indicate that the flight ended abruptly near Tver, northwest of Moscow, around 6 p.m. local time.

Eight bodies have been recovered at the crash site in the Tver region, the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti has reported, citing Russian Emergency Services officials.

Russian state television is showing live footage of President Vladimir V. Putin. He is at an event in the Kursk region, near the border with Ukraine, at a ceremony commemorating the Battle of Kursk in World War II.

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said in a statement that a private Embraer Legacy jet traveling from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed in the Tver region, near the village of Kuzhenkino. The ministry said 10 people were on board the flight, three of which were crew members. “According to preliminary information, everyone on board died,” the statement said.

We wrote this profile of Yevgeny Prigozhin amid the Wagner uprising in June.

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s fate is not known at the moment. On the social messaging app Telegram, an account known to be close to the Russian authorities, Readovka, says that reports of the warlord’s death are “premature.” It adds: “Yevgeny Prigozhin may have been on a different airplane.”

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said that the plane crashed in the Tver region, north of Moscow.

Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the Russian mercenary leader of the private Wagner paramilitary group whose armed rebellion in June threatened the country’s leadership, was listed on the passenger roster of a private jet that crashed in Russia on Wednesday, killing all 10 people aboard, Russia’s aviation authority said.

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said that the plane, an Embraer jet, crashed in the Tver region, north of Moscow, according to the state news agency Tass. Minutes later, the news agency, citing Russia’s aviation authority, said that Mr. Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on the plane.

“An investigation has been launched into the crash of the Embraer aircraft, which occurred tonight in the Tver region,” Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency said, Tass reported. “According to the list of passengers, among them is the name and surname of Yevgeny Prigozhin.”

The Embraer jet was traveling from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport to St. Petersburg, Russia, and crashed less than 30 minutes after takeoff, Tass said.

Mr. Prigozhin, an outspoken tycoon, built the private paramilitary force that has fought on Russia’s behalf in Ukraine and across Africa. Frustrated over the country’s military leadership, he instigated a short rebellion two months ago, a mutiny that posed a grave threat to the government of President Vladimir V. Putin.