Though no official confirmation has surfaced, multiple sources point to a sale of the Lürssen yacht to a buyer based in the United Arab Emirates.
A Discreet Sale Amid Shifting Movements
The sale of the yacht is understood to have taken place privately, bypassing traditional brokerage channels. Prior to reports of the sale, she was seen in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Following that, she was then seen in Durban, South Africa, and is currently positioned off the coast of Cape Town. She now appears to be heading north, with indications that she may return to the Mediterranean for the summer season.
Previously listed as “blocked property” by the U.S. Department of Treasury in June 2022 due to associations with Imperial Yachts, Flying Fox was temporarily removed from broad charter availability. She re-entered the market gradually from January 2024, with access limited to UK and EU citizens.
This transaction marks the first ownership change since her 2019 launch.
The Yacht: Flying Fox in Detail
Delivered by Lürssen in 2019, Flying Fox is a 136-meter (446.2-foot) superyacht with a remarkable 22.5-meter (73.8-foot) beam and an internal volume of 9,022 GT. Designed by Espen Øino with interiors by Mark Berryman, she remains the world’s largest charter yacht and one of the most comprehensively equipped vessels on the water.
Her exterior is shaped around flowing, sculptural lines with flared bulwarks that expand deck space and enhance sightlines. A polished dove-grey hull, expansive glazing, and concealed technical features give her a clean, commanding presence. She features two certified helipads - a 14-meter foredeck pad and an 18-meter aft pad capable of accommodating an Airbus H175.
Outdoor highlights include a 12-meter transverse pool with wave-dampening baffle and adjustable floor, multiple sea terraces, and a full-beam bathing platform. The aft decks offer a fireplace lounge, alfresco dining for 10, and a sundeck that converts into a dance floor.
Inside, natural tones and curved forms create a calm, refined environment. The two-deck main saloon features a fireplace, aquarium-divided dining for 22, and lush vertical greenery. The glass-walled winter garden, full cinema with D-Box seats, and 400-square-meter spa add further appeal.
Accommodation includes 11 main-deck suites for 25 guests, all with sea-view terraces. The 105-square-meter owner’s suite features a spa pool terrace, office, dressing room, and beauty room. Crew quarters support up to 55, with a second galley and professional-grade service areas.
Powered by twin MTU diesels, Flying Fox reaches 20 knots and cruises up to 6,500 nautical miles at 15 knots. Dive-ready with decompression chamber and submarine garage, and equipped with an advanced thermal spa system, she is as capable as she is luxurious - a flagship of engineering, wellness, and design.
A Top 20 Heavyweight in the YB100
Flying Fox proudly holds 19th position in the YachtBuyer YB100, YachtBuyer’s authoritative ranking of the world’s biggest yachts by gross tonnage. At 9,022 GT, she has maintained her place in the top 20 for over four years and nine months, reflecting both her vast internal volume and her enduring status among the elite fleet of ultra-large yachts.
In the current YB100, Flying Fox is positioned between two other giants: Crescent (135.61m, 8,903 GT, Lürssen, 2018) and Ocean Victory (140m, 8,506 GT, Fincantieri, 2014) - both also designed by Espen Øino. Her place among these renowned vessels underscores her importance not just as a yacht, but as a global design reference point.
She also ranks 21st in the traditional Top 100 Longest Yachts list, having entered in 2019 at position 14. Measuring 136 meters in length, she now sits at position 21.
Flying Fox's off-market sale marks a turning point for one of the most iconic yachts afloat. With her distinctive design, advanced capabilities, and enduring presence in the YB100, she remains a defining example of modern superyacht ambition - and a clear signal that the world’s most significant yachts continue to move quietly, but decisively.
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