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The World's Biggest Yachts
At YachtBuyer, we approach things differently to provide you with the most accurate and insightful information. We believe that the Biggest Yachts in the World should be defined by Gross Tonnage (GT) rather than Length Overall (LOA).
The volume of a superyacht, megayacht, or gigayacht has a greater impact on usable space, which is why we launched the YB100 - The World's Biggest Yachts.
Below you’ll find a live list containing the Current Top 10 Biggest Yachts, ranked by Gross Tonnage (GT), with a handy diagram on the right-hand side comparing just how large these nautical behemoths are to the #1 ranking yacht.
We've also curated a wealth of other compelling metrics and figures, including detailed statistics on the Top 100 Biggest yachts, highlighting the most impressive vessels, and the Top 100 Biggest yachts built by country, offering a fascinating perspective on the global distribution of these remarkable watercraft.
If, however, you'd prefer to check out the Current Top 10 Longest Yachts, ranked by length overall (LOA), then scroll down towards the bottom of the page.
World's Biggest Yacht vs World's Longest Yacht
Dilbar and Azzam both hold prestigious titles in the world of superyachts, but for different reasons.
The key difference lies in their design priorities: Dilbar focuses on maximizing internal space and luxury, while Azzam is built for length, speed, and efficiency. Use our interactive tool to compare Dilbar vs Azzam.
Largest Superyacht in the world
Motor yacht Dilbar, at 156 meters, is the largest yacht by Gross Tonnage (GT), boasting an impressive interior volume of 15,917 GT. This makes it the world’s largest yacht by volume, allowing for more spacious luxury interiors, including one of the largest indoor pools ever installed on a yacht. Built by Lürssen in 2016, Dilbar focuses on maximizing comfort and opulence over length.
Longest Superyacht in the world
On the other hand, Azzam, built by Lürssen in 2013, is the world’s longest yacht at 180 meters. While Azzam is longer, with a more streamlined design aimed at speed and performance, it has a lower gross tonnage of 13,136 GT compared to Dilbar. Azzam was engineered to reach a remarkable top speed of over 30 knots, making it not only the longest but also one of the fastest superyachts.
Biggest Yachts Vs Longest Yachts
In the tables below, we compare the top 10 largest yachts by Gross Tonnage (GT) and the top 10 longest yachts by overall length. While length is often the most visible indicator of a yacht’s size, Gross Tonnage provides a better understanding of the yacht’s interior volume and capacity. These two metrics reveal different aspects of yacht design, with some vessels excelling in sheer length while others dominate in their interior space, luxury, and amenities. This comparison helps to highlight the differences in how yachts are ranked by size, offering insights into their design priorities and usage.
YB100 - 10 Biggest
Key: State Owned
Top 100 - 10 Longest
Key: State Owned
The winners & losers
The data on the YB100’s largest yachts by Gross Tonnage (GT) versus the Top 100 yachts by length presents some clear winners and losers. On the “biggest” side, yachts like Dilbar (15,917 GT) and Al Said (15,850 GT) are clear standouts, leveraging their vast internal volumes to lead the ranking. These behemoths, built in 2016 and 2008 respectively, reflect modern superyacht design at its peak, focusing on maximizing internal space for luxury and functionality.
However, when it comes to length, Azzam reigns supreme as the longest yacht at 180.65m, though it only ranks fifth by GT. This illustrates that even the longest yachts do not always prioritize volume over length. Interestingly, older yachts like Al Salamah (1999) and Prince Abdul Aziz (1984) find themselves lower on the GT scale despite their size, reflecting how yacht design has evolved to make better use of interior space over the years.
Notably, Sailing Yacht A (2017) makes the GT list at 6th place with 12,558 GT, despite being a sailing vessel. This speaks to the innovation in recent builds, showing how sailing yachts can now compete in volume with motor yachts. Meanwhile, classic yachts like El Mahrousa (1865), though a historical marvel at 145.72m, cannot match modern vessels in terms of GT, illustrating how the industry has shifted focus towards internal volume over sheer length.
Yachts Data
Below, we analyze key statistics from the YB100’s biggest yachts by Gross Tonnage (GT) and the Top 100 longest yachts by overall length. By comparing total volume, length, and average age, we aim to highlight the key differences between these two groups of superyachts, providing insight into how they differ in terms of size, space, and design trends.
YB100 - Biggest Yachts
Total Volume
601,092 GT
Average Volume
6,011 GT
Total length
11,398m
Average Length
374'
Average Age
14yrs
Top 100 - Longest Yachts
Total volume
588,091 GT
Average Volume
5,881 GT
Total Length
11,521m
Average Length
378'
Average Age
16yrs
The comparison between the YB100 and the Top 100 longest yachts highlights that while the YB100 yachts are slightly shorter in total length (11,314 meters vs. 11,447 meters), they significantly surpass in volume, with a total of 590,243 GT compared to 577,327 GT. This confirms that the YB100 yachts are built with a focus on maximizing interior space and more amenities such as indoor pools and beach clubs etc. Additionally, the YB100 yachts are, on average, three years newer, reflecting modern trends that emphasize spacious, high-volume designs. This suggests that newer yachts are being constructed with a greater focus on maximizing livable and luxury spaces, rather than just extending length.
Motor Vs Sailing Yachts
The following data compares the presence of motor yachts and sailing yachts in the YB100's biggest yachts by Gross Tonnage (GT) versus the Top 100 longest yachts by length. While motor yachts dominate in terms of volume due to their larger number of decks and more expansive interior spaces, sailing yachts make a stronger showing in length, reflecting their more streamlined designs. This comparison highlights the distinct design priorities between the two types of vessels, where motor yachts focus on maximizing interior space and luxury, and sailing yachts emphasize sleek, aerodynamic profiles built for performance.
YB100
100 Biggest
There are 2 Sailing Yachts in the top 100
Top 100
100 Longest
There are 4 Sailing Yachts in the top 100
Yachts built by country
Countries like Germany and the Netherlands dominate both categories due to their deep-rooted shipbuilding expertise and consistent production of large and long yachts. In contrast, nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Norway have focused on more recent high-volume explorer yachts, yet contribute fewer vessels to the longest yachts category. The appearance of countries like Japan and Canada in the longest yachts list but absence in the largest GT category highlight that these nations are no longer actively building large yachts.
YB100 - 100 Biggest Yachts
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Germany
50 Yachts -
Netherlands
21 Yachts -
Italy
7 Yachts -
Greece
6 Yachts -
United Arab Emirates
3 Yachts -
Norway
3 Yachts -
United Kingdom
3 Yachts -
Finland
1 Yacht -
Indonesia
1 Yacht -
Denmark
1 Yacht -
Spain
1 Yacht -
Turkey
1 Yacht -
China
1 Yacht -
United States
1 Yacht
Top 100 - 100 Longest Yachts
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Germany
50 Yachts
-
Netherlands
22 Yachts
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Italy
6 Yachts
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Greece
6 Yachts
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United Kingdom
3 Yachts
-
United Arab Emirates
2 Yachts
-
Norway
2 Yachts
-
Denmark
1 Yacht
-
Indonesia
1 Yacht
-
Finland
1 Yacht
-
Spain
1 Yacht
-
Turkey
1 Yacht
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Japan
1 Yacht -
Canada
1 Yacht -
United States
1 Yacht
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China
1 Yacht
Builders Market Share
Lürssen dominates both categories with nearly 18% of the market in the YB100 and 18.8% in the Top 100 longest yachts, reflecting its strong position in both volume and length. Feadship, Oceanco, and Blohm + Voss also hold significant market shares across both lists, though their rankings vary slightly. While the “Other” category comprises a significant portion of the market, the concentration of top builders highlights the dominance of a few major shipyards in the production of the world’s largest and longest yachts.
Exterior Designers Market Share
Espen Oeino leads both categories, showcasing his prominent role in superyacht design. Notably, De Voogt Design appears in the Top 100 longest yachts but not in the YB100. This is due to Feadship’s historical limitation in building wide yachts, a result of the narrow canals surrounding their shipyards in the Netherlands. As Feadship and De Voogt typically focused on long, elegant designs, this explains their prominence in the length category but lower representation in terms of volume.
Live Facts
YB100 - 100 Biggest Yachts
- To secure a spot in the YB100 by volume, a minimum gross tonnage of 2,951 is required, potentially displacing Avantage from its current position.
- Surpassing Dilbar for the #1 spot demands a yacht with a gross tonnage equal to or greater than the existing record.
- The total combined volume of the YB100 yachts is a monumental 601,092 tons.
- The average volume of a yacht in the YB100 stands at an impressive 6,010.92 tons.
Built by:
- Germany takes the lead in yacht construction, contributing 50% of the yachts in the YB100.
- Lurssen, a powerhouse in shipbuilding, claims credit for 32% of the yachts within the prestigious YB100.
- Renowned designer Espen Oeino stands as the creative force behind the most yachts in the YB100, boasting a portfolio of 15 stellar designs.
Age:
- Anchoring the list, El Mahrousa, constructed in 1865, is the oldest yacht within the YB100, adding a touch of historical significance to the maritime lineup.
- In contrast, the freshest addition to the fleet is Luminance, completed in 2024 and embodying the epitome of contemporary yacht craftsmanship.
- The collective age of the YB100 averages 14.06 years, reflecting a blend of timeless classics and modern marvels.
Buy or Charter:
- Among the current YB100 by volume, 7 are available for sale, offering exclusive opportunities for prospective buyers.
- Within the current YB100 by volume, 19 are available for charter, providing a range of luxurious options for clientele.
Coming Soon:
- Anticipate the entrance of at least 22 new yachts into the coveted YB100 over the next 5 years.
Top 100 - 100 Largest Vessels
- To secure a spot in the Top 100 by length, a minimum Length Overall (LOA) of 91m is required, potentially knocking Nero out of its position.
- Surpassing Azzam for the #1 spot demands a vessel with an LOA of 180.65m or greater, showcasing the scale of maritime competition.
- The aggregated length of the Top 100 yachts reaches a spectacular 11,521.23m.
- Within the Top 100 by length, the average yacht is 115m.
Built by:
- At the forefront of yacht construction, Germany takes the lead, providing 50% of the vessels within the Top 100 by length.
- Lurssen, a distinguished shipbuilder, claims responsibility for 34% of the yachts featured in the esteemed Top 100.
- Well known for its design prowess, Espen Oeino has crafted the majority of yachts in the Top 100 by length, showcasing a remarkable portfolio of 14 exceptional designs.
Age:
- El Mahrousa, constructed in 1865, proudly holds the distinction of being the oldest vessel among the Top 100 by length.
- The latest addition to the Top 100 by length is Dragonfly, constructed in 2024 and measuring 142.08m.
- The combined age of the Top 100 by length averages 16.49 years.
Buy or Charter:
- Among the existing Top 100 by length, 10 yachts are available for new ownership.
- Additionally, within the current Top 100 by length, 23 yachts are available for charter, offering a diverse selection for clientele.
Coming Soon:
- Expect the entrance of at least 24 new yachts into the prestigious Top 100 by length over the next 5 years.
Interesting Facts
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Easily recognized by her distinctive silhouette, Azzam is yet to be toppled off the leaderboard in terms of length.
The world’s largest yacht by length, luxury yacht Azzam is one of the most private yachts on the water today, and many details about her remain a closely guarded secret. It’s widely reported that she was built for Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed ai-Nayan of Abu Dhabi, and her principal use is as a dayboat for accessing the region’s most coveted diving grounds. AZZAM is an exceptionally fast yacht for her size, since she features an innovative water-jet propulsion system (comprised of two fixed jets and two directional jets), which allows her to reach an impressive maximum speed of 34 knots. Her name translates to ‘determined’ in Arabic.
Azzam has the same volume as 662.2 40ft Containers.
Did you know?
Azzam has an unusually high top speed of up to 34 knots.
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A masterpiece of modern design inside and out, Eclipse has an endlessly fascinating selection of features.
Built in total secrecy by German yard Blohm + Voss, motor yacht Eclipse is owned by billionaire businessman Roman Abramovich, and is one of the most incredibly well-equipped private yachts ever delivered. Onboard features include a 56 square meter owner’s deck, provision for up to 100 crew, and a 16m (52ft) pool which can be drained, raised, and transformed into a dancefloor. She has space for three helicopters onboard, one of which can be stored in a discreet hangar below the foredeck. The superyacht is also reported to have her own German-built missile defense system, a laser defense against paparazzi, and an armor-plated master suite for the ultimate protection and peace of mind onboard.
Eclipse has the same volume as 683.1 40ft Containers.
Did you know?
Eclipse is reported to have the latest state-of-the-art military-style defense mechanisms installed onboard.
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Originally commissioned by Prince Jefri of Brunei, the superyacht Dubai underwent a remarkable transformation upon being acquired by the Dubai government.
The vessel went through a sophisticated overhaul, featuring a redesigned in-house interior by Platinum. Now proudly serving as the royal yacht of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Dubai stands as the epitome of nautical luxury. With a capacity for up to 24 guests, the yacht boasts lavish accommodations, including an owner's suite, five VIP cabins, and six suites, each adorned with private balconies. Onboard, the superyacht features a helipad, two 10m motor boats, a 90-guest dining room, and a 10m swimming pool. The yacht's entertainment offerings include a disco, cinema, water bikes, a submarine, lobster tank, and a squash court.
Dubai has the same volume as 630.4 40ft Containers.
Did you know?
Almost 800 people worked to complete Dubai, not including hundreds of other subcontractors.
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Blue made its debut in mid-2022, bringing with it four upper decks that boast expansive alfresco entertaining areas, complemented by dual helicopter landing sites — a capacious helideck at the bow and a smaller helipad aft.
Renowned designer Terence Disdale masterfully curated both the contemporary exterior and the traditional yet fresh interior of the 160m yacht. Embracing efficiency and eco-friendliness, Blue incorporates Lürssen’s diesel-electric hybrid propulsion concept and an electric Azimuth Pod Drive, contributing to reduced noise, vibration, and nitrogen oxide levels. The cutting-edge exhaust after-treatment system and advanced membrane technology in the wastewater treatment plant further exemplify Blue's commitment to environmental sustainability.
Blue has the same volume as 742.8 40ft Containers.
Did you know?
Two bespoke 12.5m limousine tenders for BLUE feature a matching color scheme, enclosed seating with privacy glass and skylights, and accommodate up to 14 guests each.
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Highly private, motor yacht Dilbar is a landmark in design and an icon in the superyacht world.
A yacht that needs no introduction, the multi-award-winning superyacht Dilbar is often referred to as 'The World's Biggest Yacht.' Built by the renowned German shipyard Lürssen, Dilbar boasts a colossal gross tonnage of nearly 16,000—equivalent to about one and a half Eiffel Towers. This immense size allows for remarkable features, including two helipads and a pool that holds an impressive 180 cubic meters of water, making it one of the largest pools on any yacht. Widespread media reports suggest her owner is Uzbek-born Russian mining magnate Alisher Usmanov.
Dilbar has the same volume as 797.9 40ft Containers.
Did you know?
Dilbar's pool can hold an incredible 180 cubic meters of water and is the largest indoor pool on any yacht to date.
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Originally built in Germany under the project name Sunflower, the 155m (509ft) Lurssen superyacht Al Said was launched in 2008 and is often seen next to her support vessel, the Fulk Al Salamah.
Crafted under a veil of utmost secrecy, Al Said was commissioned for Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Oman, and continues to be under his ownership. To this day, Al Said shrouds itself in an air of enigma, with only the Sultan's court having glimpsed its exclusive Redman Whiteley Dixon interior. While details are scarce, a notable feature that has garnered attention is the expansive concert hall within, capable of accommodating a 50-piece orchestra.
Al Said has the same volume as 794.7 40ft Containers.
Did you know?
Al Said is reported to have a concert hall with space for a 50-piece orchestra.
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Crafted on a steel displacement hull and aluminum superstructure, the multi-deck marvel, A+, seamlessly integrates luxury and functionality. A lift facilitates movement across all eight decks, connecting guests to two helipads and inviting swimming platforms.
A+ stands out with its comprehensive amenities, boasting a fully equipped gym, two Jacuzzis, a movie theatre, and a conference room. The capacious tender garage houses an array of water toys, from jet skis and inflatable boats to a catamaran and a mini-submarine. Accommodating up to 62 guests in 26 cabins and a dedicated crew of 79, the yacht ensures an unparalleled experience at sea. Propelled by twin diesel VEM Sachsenwerk (DKMEF 1241 - 16V) engines producing 8,046hp, A+ can achieve a maximum speed of 25.5 knots and maintains a comfortable cruising speed of 22.9 knots.
A+ has the same volume as 632.6 40ft Containers.
Did you know?
A+ was originally called Topaz.
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Commissioned in 1984 by King Fahd of the Saudi royal family, the regal Prince Abdul Aziz, named in honor of Fahd's son, is a maritime masterpiece crafted by Helsingor Vaerft in Denmark.
Measuring 147m (482ft) in length, the vessel offers luxurious accommodations for up to 64 guests, catered to by a dedicated crew of 65. The Maierform-designed yacht features a steel hull and superstructure, complemented by teak decks for a touch of elegance. Overseeing the interior design was the renowned British designer David Hicks, whose creative flair manifested in a vibrant array of bold colors, innovative lighting, and a harmonious blend of modern and classical elements. Completed in 15 months, Hicks' work left an indelible mark, earning him acclaim in various countries. Propelled by twin diesel Pielstick (12PC2-5V-400) 12-cylinder engines, each boasting 7,907hp, Prince Abdul Aziz can cruise at 18 knots for 5,000nm.
Prince Abdul Aziz has the same volume as 412.8 40ft Containers.
Did you know?
Unconfirmed rumors suggest that her onboard security includes surface-to-air missiles and an underwater surveillance system.
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Opera, reputedly a reconstruction endeavor arising from the ashes of the 145m Project Sassi lost in a shipyard inferno in 2018, stands as Lürssen's grandest debut in 2023.
Despite its stature, much of this superyacht's mystique remains shrouded in secrecy. Crafted under the artistic guidance of Terence Disdale, Opera boasts a pair of helipads and swimming pools on both the sundeck and main deck. This nautical marvel finds its home under the ownership of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a scion of the United Arab Emirates' foundational family. The vessel is believed to offer luxury accommodations for up to 36 guests in 18 suites, while its proficient crew of 50 can find respite in additional cabins.
Opera has the same volume as 631.9 40ft Containers.
Did you know?
Her launch was commemorated with a performance of Puccini´s "Chi Il Bel Sogno", by the world-famous soprano Elizabeth Winn.
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El Mahrousa, meaning "The Protected" in Arabic, and once also called El Horreya, translating to "Freedom," stands as Egypt's prestigious presidential superyacht, with a historical stint as the nation's royal yacht.
Crafted across five decks, this maritime gem was commissioned by Egyptian Khedive Ismail Pasha in 1863 and entrusted to its 160-member crew two years later under the skilled hands of British shipbuilding firm Samuda Brothers. Over its venerable service, El Mahrousa underwent noteworthy transformations, transitioning from paddle-wheel engines to turbine-driven propellers in 1905. The vessel embraced modernity with the addition of a wireless telegraph in 1912 and a diesel-fueled system in 1919, accompanied by multiple lengthenings during that era. Today, under the attentive guardianship of the Egyptian Navy, El Mahrousa embarks on maritime sojourns approximately three times a year, each expedition spanning a single day.
El Mahrousa has the same volume as 237.1 40ft Containers.
Did you know?
El Mahrousa held the title of the world's largest superyacht for 119 years until 1984 when it was surpassed by Prince Abdulaziz. It remains the oldest active superyacht in the world.
