Groundbreaking 80m superyacht ARTEFACT delivered to Owner

Nobiskrug’s 80m (262ft) ARTEFACT has been delivered to her Owner and can lay claim to being possibly the most environmentally-friendly superyacht ever built.

Combining eye-catching design and a host of engineering features to minimalise environmental impact and enhance performance, ARTEFACT has been delivered following almost two and a half years of extensive research and development work.

Built by German shipyard Nobiskrug, ARTEFACT has broken new ground in the superyacht world in many ways with, at first glance, her most notable features being the radical mismatched window shapes and huge amount of glass used.

The capability of glass as a viable construction material has been a major element of many recent superyacht builds, but Nobiskrug has taken things to a new level here.

The superstructure features vast glass panels, comprising around 740 square meters of curved glasswork weighing almost 60 tonnes. The longest pane of glass measures 10.6m (34ft) and the thickest is almost 4 inches (9.4cm).

Not only is ARTEFACT believed to have the highest ratio of glass to LOA for any yacht in her size bracket, at 2,999GT she is also the biggest volume 80m superyacht in the world.

Superyacht ARTEFACT on water

ARTEFACT At-A-Glance

LOA: 80m (262ft)
Volume: 2,999GT
Glass used in length: 740 square meters
Glass used in weight: 60 tons
Largest single pane of glass used: 10.6m (34ft)
Solar panels on sundeck: 23 square meters

Unusual window shapes on superyacht ARTEFACT
© All photos courtesy of Francisco Martinez
Unusual window shapes on superyacht ARTEFACT
Top three decks of superyacht ARTEFACT

The hull features unprecedented floor-to ceiling glass panels comprising around 740 square meters of curved glasswork weighing almost 60 tons

Aft view of Superyacht ARTEFACT showing sunloungers on decks
Tender in side of Superyacht ARTEFACT
© All photos courtesy of Francisco Martinez
Lady standing in front of expansive glass window on Superyacht ARTEFACT

However, beyond the incredible exterior design, which is the work of Gregory C. Marshall, things get even more interesting. A  whole host of innovations have been worked in to achieve the ambitious aim of the Owner, an engineer and accomplished entrepreneur, who wanted to cut emissions right back and ensure the superyacht has the smallest carbon footprint possible.

The challenge was an exciting one as Fadi Pataq, Sales and Marketing Director at Nobiskrug explains: “From the moment Nobiskrug received the owner’s brief to develop a yacht that pushes the boundaries of technology and eco-friendliness, we knew that ARTEFACT would set new standards for the industry in terms of performance and design.”

“With proven expertise in the construction of unique superyacht projects, such as Sailing Yacht A, our top engineering team immediately jumped at the opportunity to develop the owner’s vision into a reality.”

View directly from above of Superyacht ARTEFACT
Aft view of Superyacht ARTEFACT
© All photos courtesy of Francisco Martinez
View from above of Superyacht ARTEFACT showing decks cascading

“From the moment Nobiskrug received the owner’s brief, we knew that ARTEFACT would set new standards for the industry in terms of performance and design.”

Fadi Pataq

Sales and Marketing Director

Nobiskrug

ARTEFACT is one of the world’s first superyachts to meet IMO Tier III emission regulations and utilises a complex hybrid propulsion system. The system is powered by various generators and 23 square meters of solar panels on her sundeck, which alongside a range of lithium-ion batteries, make her 25 to 30% more efficient compared to boats with conventional diesel engines in her class. She can also operate silently for short periods without using combustion engines.

Her DC-bus diesel-electric Azipod propulsion system means ARTEFACT can hold position without the need to drop anchor, thus protecting the seabed. Noise and vibration are kept to a minimum by custom six-bladed propellers that also maximize performance. She also has a wastewater recycling system onboard for re-use as technical water.

 Aft view of Superyacht ARTEFACT
© All photos courtesy of Francisco Martinez
Superyacht ARTEFACT on water
View of sundeck of Superyacht ARTEFACT

Being Tier III compliant brings huge benefits for the owner aside from the obvious environmental ones.

“Various parts of the world are now Emission Control Areas, and compliance with Tier III certification means that the owner can travel to every corner of the globe,” say ARTEFACT’s Captain Aaron Clark.

“Artefact has been designed to operate efficiently while pushing the boundaries of technology, and Tier III compliance is an obvious continuation of this ethos. The benefits of a cleaner exhaust treatment system are very noticeable on board during vessel operations and also carries the added value of future proofing the vessel.”

The hull of Artefact is made of steel, whilst the superstructure is made of GRP instead of steel or aluminium. The use of composite materials provided weight savings to offset the widespread use of glass.

Whilst the Reymond Langton Design interiors have not yet been unveiled, they are, according to the builder “exotic but serve to create an unmatched guest experience.” She has eight staterooms and 12 crew cabins and, in a further example of her breaking with convention, the master suite is located aft.

Superyacht ARTEFACT on water
© All photos courtesy of Francisco Martinez

Various parts of the world are now Emission Control Areas, and compliance with Tier III certification means that the owner can travel to every corner of the globe.

Captain of ARTEFACT, Aaron Clark.

Construction on ARTEFACT began in March 2017 with the ceremonial keel laying at the Nobiskrug’s facility in Kiel. More information on her innovative build was revealed at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2018, before she was officially launched by the shipyard in July 2019 with sea trials commencing the following month.

World's Largest Yachts

Motor yacht Artefact's length at 80m means she does not meet the length needed to be in the Top 100 of the World's Longest Yachts.

But with a Gross Tonnage of 2,999GT, motor yacht Artefact features in the new more accurate YachtBuyer YB100 Largest yachts by GT table by virtue of her large internal volume.

Interested in the World's Largest Yachts? Then check out our World's Biggest Yachts page where we explain the difference between the longest and the biggest 100 yachts. 

If you are considering buying a superyacht and want something like ARTEFACT that has minimal impact on the environment you can view all new and used superyachts for sale.

Alternatively, for even more choice, browse all yachts for sale.