Lurssen boat rules the waves

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has been knocked off his perch as the owner of the world’s biggest superyacht – with a £400 million vessel constructed by a German family business now taking the top honour.

At 180 metres, Azzam features six bridges, requires a staff of 50 to run and can reach speeds of 31 knots – according to Yachts France, which compiled the table of the world’s biggest boats.

Family firm Lurssen Yachts, established in 1875, reportedly took four years to build the mega-yacht, which is owned by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan – the President of the United Arab Emirates.

Peter Lurssen, fourth-gen chief executive at the boatbuilding firm, said the vessel represents a milestone in yachting history.

Abramovich’s superyacht, Eclipse, measured in at 163.5 metres, and included 25 guest cabins, a dance hall, two swimming pools and its own mini submarine.