Kleven’s 116m explorer superyacht nearing technical completion

New photos of Kleven’s 116m explorer yacht suggest that the mammoth vessel is in the advanced stages of construction at the shipyard in Ulsteinvik, Norway.

Scheduled for delivery in 2017, U116 is soon expected to have her technical and navigation equipment fitted and fine-tuned over the coming week to allow her to safely cruise to Bremerhaven in Germany, where she will complete her interior outfitting.

Launched in March 2016, the 116m explorer yacht is being built for Graeme Hart, New Zealand’s richest man. She is the sister ship set to replace Hart’s gargantuan 107m explorer yacht Ulysses, which was delivered by Kleven earlier this year to great acclaim.

Listed for sale in June at an asking price of $195,000,000, Hart placed the order for Ulysses back in 2013, before confirming the order for U116 in November 2014, stating his satisfaction with Kleven’s quality standards, delivery times and price point.

He said, “I am very pleased with the quality of the work that has been done by Kleven, and how our organisations have worked together to bring this exciting project together.” 

The U116 will essentially be a larger and more refined version of the 107m sister ship once she is delivered in 2017. She showcases some repeat features of the famous Ulysses, with a large tender bay on her deck area, traditional expedition styling and go-anywhere capabilities.

She is finished in a classic navy blue and has additional large balconies on either side of her owner’s deck.

For more information, visit Kleven.