German Naval Yards Takes Over 114m Project ELF Build
German Naval Yards has signed an agreement to complete construction of the 114.1-metre superyacht Project ELF. The yard operates as part of the European CMN Naval group and is best known for its role in building the 142.8-metre Sailing Yacht A, a reference point for large-scale yacht projects in its portfolio. Owner’s representative Roger Friedrich commented, “We have full confidence in [the yard’s] expertise and their ability to realise our vision for Project ELF,” citing the yard’s technical mastery and experience with large yacht projects.
The transfer of the build places a high-profile hull into a yard experienced with complex, large-volume yachts, reinforcing German Naval Yards’ position in the superyacht sector. Project ELF is now scheduled for delivery in 2028, making the completion and fit-out phases the immediate operational focus for the yard and subcontractors involved in outfitting and systems integration.
Design and Naval Architecture Team Behind Project ELF
Exterior and interior design for Project ELF are led by US firm Píndaros, with assistance from Champeau Wilde and Andy Waugh, reflecting a collaborative design approach that balances aesthetic intent with functional requirements. Naval architecture and engineering have been undertaken by Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture, responsible for the vessel’s structural arrangement, stability, and performance parameters.
The combined design and naval architecture teams have tailored the vessel to the owner’s brief for a private, highly customised yacht capable of extended cruising. Their roles encompass exterior lines, interior spatial planning and technical integration, ensuring the aesthetic concept is aligned with machinery, safety systems and regulatory compliance for a yacht of this scale.
Luxurious Amenities, Technical Specs and Onboard Features
Guest accommodation consists of six en suite cabins, while a dedicated owner’s deck provides a 290-square-metre suite with direct access to a foredeck lounge and dining area. The main saloon is designed to feel spacious and light, featuring a 5.9-metre ceiling height, expansive bay windows and a mezzanine level that provides circulation to the upper deck and additional viewing points.
Notable onboard features include a 20-metre swimming pool, of which 13.2 metres can be hydraulically raised to extend the deck area and create a multifunctional leisure space. The yacht also includes a multi-level spiral staircase, a helipad certified for a H135-class helicopter, indoor and outdoor cinemas, a spa, a gym, a hair and beauty salon and a bar. Performance estimates put maximum speed at 15 knots with a cruising range of approximately 5,000 nautical miles at 12 knots.
Project ELF Delivery, Owner Plans and Strategic Significance
The owner has stated plans to cruise primarily in the Caribbean and the south of France, regions chosen for their clear waters and sheltered anchorages; the yacht has been tailored to support extended stays away from urban centres and crowded marinas. The owner’s decision to commission a bespoke vessel reflects a preference for a private retreat configured to precise personal requirements and long-range autonomy.
Completion of Project ELF will be a notable programme for German Naval Yards, reinforcing the yard’s capability to deliver very large custom superyachts. With delivery set for 2028, the next steps are the final outfitting, systems commissioning and preparations for handover; the project will be watched as an indicator of the yard’s capacity to manage large-scale, high-spec private builds while meeting the owner’s operational intent.
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