Previously known during construction as Project Cosmos, Nausicaä is the first Lürssen yacht equipped with a methanol fuel-cell system and one of the most complex builds in the shipyard’s history.
A clearer sense of scale and proportion
Shot from drones and chase boats, the video shows Nausicaä running steadily through rivers, locks, and open water, giving a far stronger sense of proportion than launch imagery alone. The long, low profile of the yacht becomes more legible in motion, with the dark hull band and continuous cabin-deck glazing stretching uninterrupted from bow to stern. Bow-on views during lock transits underline the yacht’s beam and volume without relying on figures, while side-on running shots highlight how cleanly the superstructure sits above the waterline.
The footage also reinforces the explorer-leaning stance of Marc Newson’s exterior, where smooth surfaces and restrained detailing rely on geometry rather than ornament. In motion, the yacht reads as deliberate and composed, with no visual clutter along the deck edges or superstructure transitions.
Deck layout revealed underway
One of the most valuable aspects of the video is the clarity it brings to Nausicaä’s deck arrangement. Overhead shots show the relationship between the forward helipad, the central mast and exhaust cluster, and the aft leisure deck as a single, continuous composition. The helipad of the motor yacht sits cleanly forward, bordered by slim safety rails, while the central zone is defined by rounded forms housing communications and technical systems.
Aft, the split pool and spa arrangement comes into full view. The footage reveals stepped access, surrounding teak terraces, and how the pools sit flush within the deck rather than feeling imposed on it.
Crew activity on deck during trials helps establish scale, making the outdoor areas feel functional rather than purely conceptual.
Glass architecture in practice
The video also offers the most convincing look yet at Newson’s signature glass elements. The domed owner’s study, positioned high on the superstructure, is shown from multiple angles while underway, with reflections across the curved surface emphasizing its complex geometry.
Below, the glass-encased observation lounge beneath the foredeck becomes far clearer, revealing what appears to be a circular plunge pool set directly behind the glazing. The scale, integrated steps, and handrail suggest a dedicated soaking pool rather than loose furniture, reinforcing the idea of inhabitable glass volumes designed around immersion and outward views rather than enclosed rooms.
Nausicaä is fitted with two 500kW fuel cells, enabling zero-emissions hotel mode for extended periods at anchor and low-speed cruising capability under fuel-cell power. Conventional diesel engines and generators remain onboard, forming a hybrid arrangement designed to meet global operational demands.
A milestone project nearing delivery
Commissioned for a Japanese owner, Nausicaä carries both interior and exterior design by Marc Newson, with naval architecture and engineering led by Lürssen. Her estimated gross tonnage of around 6,300GT and Ice Class 1D rating position her for long-range cruising, including light ice conditions, while her six-deck layout supports extended time away from support infrastructure. Once delivered, she will enter the prestigious YachtBuyer YB100, which ranks the world's biggest yachts by the true measurement of gross tonnage.
As she progresses toward her 2026 delivery, the newly released sea trials footage helps shift the narrative from technical promise to practical reality. Seen underway, Nausicaä reads as a composed, highly resolved yacht whose defining features - glass architecture, deck flow, and low-emissions capability - now feel tested in the environment they were designed for.
According to YachtBuyer Market Watch, the world's largest yacht database, Lurssen currently has 12 yachts either in build or on order. This includes the 146m Project Defy, the recently launched 117m Boardwalk, and the 78m Odisea.
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