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Jeff Bezos’ New Yacht Is Finally Ready to Set Sail

Amazon’s founder has been spotted on Koru, a massive schooner with a design that evokes the golden age of sailing in the early 20th century.

By Kevin Koenig

Just in time for the high season of yachting in the Mediterranean, when multimillion-dollar megayachts descend on ports like Monte Carlo and St. Tropez, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has been photographed with his partner Lauren Sánchez on his new boat, Koru, off the coast of Spain.

Mr. Bezos’ vessel is a sailing yacht, a departure from the diesel-powered, floating palaces popular with other billionaires. But it is still massive. At 417 feet, Koru is the world’s largest sailing yacht, according to Boat International , and it cost an estimated $500 million to build, Bloomberg reported . (Parsifal III, the boat featured on Bravo’s reality series “Below Deck Sailing Yacht,” is 177 feet long — less than half the length of Koru — and cost $18 million , according to the website SuperYachtFan.)

A spokesperson for Mr. Bezos did not comment for this article; neither did Oceanco, Koru’s builder. Here is what to know about the boat.

For traditionalists, Koru is refreshing. At a time when yacht design skews outrageous — see the lizardlike, 262-foot Artefact or the otherworldly 463-foot Yas — Koru stands out as a schooner, a sailing vessel with two or more masts. Photos reveal a large sailboat with three masts, an on-deck pool and a voluptuous mermaid on the bow, that bears a resemblance to Ms. Sánchez. But otherwise, the sleek, classic lines suggest the patrician age of yachting in the early 20th century, said Robert B. MacKay, author of “The Golden Age of Newport Yachting: Between the Wars.”

“With the clipper bow and the dark hull and the masts,” Mr. MacKay said, referring to Koru’s concave, pointy forward section, “it reminds me of a boat built in 1930 for J.P. Morgan Jr., Corsair IV. It is almost like a reincarnation. It’s certainly at odds with the stuff the oligarchs are building — those look like bloated Clorox bottles.”

Compared with the world’s very largest motor yachts — built for sheer size and the accompanying bragging rights — Koru could almost be considered quaint. Azzam, one of the world’s largest motor yachts, is nearly 200 feet longer.

The Experience

Koru will be propelled primarily by the wind. “Sailboats are usually greener than most powerboats,” said Don Anderson, a former captain of M5 , the world’s largest single-masted sailboat, at 256 feet. “I’d like to think that Koru will be one of the most ecological yachts out there, with its sails and also with the technology that will be aboard.”

“When you’re on a sailboat, you’re more in touch with the wind and the waves than on a powerboat,” he continued. “You’re more susceptible to the elements, too. But you can leave California, and once you get past the Catalinas you can basically surf downwind all the way to Hawaii. All you need to do is run with the waves.”

Mr. Bezos has been a guest on similar boats, according to Bloomberg: In 2019, he was spotted on Eos , a 305-foot sailing yacht owned by Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg.

Bill Tripp, a Connecticut-based naval architect, said the appeal of this type of boat is clear: “When you are on a powerboat, you ask, ‘Are we there yet?’ and on a sailboat, you’re enjoying the ride and the ocean so much that you don’t ask that question.”

Koru will be trailed by Abeona, a 246-foot support vessel. Superyachts often have support vessels following along behind them. These “shadows,” as they are colloquially known, are for the “toys” — the ATVs, supercars, seaplanes, motorcycles, smaller boats, scuba gear, personal submarines and even helicopters that pleasure boaters might bring on a trip. According to its builder, this model of boat can carry these gadgets along with dozens of crew members. (Ms. Sanchez flies helicopters, and the couple was recently photographed taking a helicopter to board Abeona and then Koru.)

Abeona, a motor yacht, will have enough range to follow Koru from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean — a common course for yachts — on a single tank of gas.

The Kerfuffle

Koru set off a controversy last year — before it was even completed — in a face-off with the Dutch city of Rotterdam. The boat was built at Oceanco’s facility in Alblasserdam, the Netherlands, and needed to pass the historic Koningshaven Bridge, known as “De Hef,” in Rotterdam, to undergo testing in the North Sea.

When the city announced it would dismantle the bridge to allow the boat and its mainmast — an estimated 230 feet tall — to pass through unscathed, locals were angry. They planned a protest to throw eggs at the yacht as it cruised by. In the end, the bridge was not taken apart, and the yacht was towed to a different location to have its masts attached.

Koru is Maori for “coil” or “loop” and refers to the unfurling of a fern frond. The koru design is common in traditional Maori art, where it symbolizes new life, growth and peace. Mr. Bezos included a photo of a koru frond in an Instagram post on Jan. 1, 2022.

Brad Stone, who was the first to report on Koru, in his 2021 book “Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire,” said the name was “consistent with where we see him today.”

“He is no longer this single-minded tech guy,” Mr. Stone said. “He’s in media and Hollywood and has a new relationship.”

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Jeff Bezos’ Magnificent KORU Yacht and ABEONA Support Vessel

The KORU yacht is a 127 meter sailing yacht built in the Netherlands by Oceanco and delivered in 2023. She was designed by Dykstra Naval Architects with the the interior of the yacht designed by Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi.

In the world of luxury yachting, few names command as much attention as Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the richest individuals on the planet.

Bezos’ affinity for the sea and his penchant for exploration have materialized in the form of the breathtaking sailing yacht KORU and its companion, the support vessel ABEONA.

Commissioned from renowned shipbuilders Oceanco and Damen Yachting, respectively, these vessels are not only a testament to Bezos’ wealth but also a celebration of Māori culture and innovation in yacht design.

The Marvel of Modern Yacht Design: KORU Yacht

The KORU yacht, also known as Y721, is a masterpiece crafted by the acclaimed Oceanco shipyard. With a remarkable length of 127 meters (417 feet), the yacht exudes luxury and grandeur in every aspect. Launched in April 2023, KORU stands as a tribute to Māori art and culture, as evident from its name and styling.

The Māori word “koru” signifies a loop or coil, symbolizing new life, growth, strength, and peace. This symbolism resonates throughout the vessel, creating an immersive experience that pays homage to the essence of Māori art.

Inside the KORU yacht, guests are treated to a world of unparalleled luxury. The yacht boasts a large swimming pool on the aft deck, inviting guests to bask in the sun while surrounded by the beauty of the open sea.

Accommodating up to 18 guests and serviced by a crew of approximately 40, KORU offers a perfect balance between privacy and service.

The yacht’s interiors are a testament to meticulous design and craftsmanship, with each detail meticulously chosen to provide the highest level of comfort.

The Symbolism of KORU’s Name

The choice of the name “KORU” for the yacht holds deep significance. In Māori culture, the koru symbolizes new beginnings, growth, and the cycle of life.

It is often represented as an unfolding fern frond, embodying the concepts of renewal and continuous movement. Jeff Bezos, in an Instagram post , highlighted the symbolism behind the name, showcasing his embrace of growth, rebirth, and mindfulness.

ABEONA: The Perfect Companion

No luxury yacht is complete without a support vessel that complements its grandeur. Enter ABEONA, a 75-meter (246-foot) support vessel commissioned by Jeff Bezos.

Built by Damen Yachting, ABEONA serves as the perfect adjunct to the KORU yacht. This custom-built vessel carries all the toys, tenders, and equipment needed to enhance the yachting experience.

With a large helicopter hangar and the capacity to accommodate 45 staff, crew, and guests, ABEONA stands as an indispensable asset to the main yacht.

The Visionary Behind the Vessels: Jeff Bezos

With a staggering net worth of $160 billion, Jeff Bezos is not only a pioneer in the world of e-commerce but also a visionary with a passion for the sea.

The commissioning of the KORU yacht and the ABEONA support vessel reflects Bezos’ love for exploration and his desire to embrace the vastness of the ocean.

Bezos’ affinity for the sea is also reflected in his ownership of a Gulfstream G650ER private jet, showcasing his penchant for luxury both in the air and on the water.

Oceanco: The Pioneers of Luxury Yacht Building

The Oceanco shipyard has carved a name for itself as a pioneer in the luxury yacht industry. Established in 1987, Oceanco has consistently pushed the boundaries of design, craftsmanship, and innovation.

KORU, with its classic schooner design, stands as a testament to Oceanco’s commitment to creating vessels that are not only luxurious but also artistically inspired.

KORU yacht summary

The KORU yacht and its companion ABEONA support vessel stand as testaments to Jeff Bezos’ love for the sea, his appreciation for Māori culture, and his affinity for luxury and exploration.

These vessels, crafted with precision by Oceanco and Damen Yachting, redefine the boundaries of yacht design and innovation.

As Jeff Bezos embarks on journeys of discovery aboard these vessels, he continues to inspire awe and admiration among yachting enthusiasts and the world at large.

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Jeff Bezos' $500 Million Yacht: A Look at the World's Largest Private Vessel

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is known for his extravagant lifestyle and love for luxury yachts. In April 2023, Bezos took delivery of his newest and largest yacht, Koru, which cost a staggering $500 million or more. At 417 feet, Koru is the world's largest sailing yacht, surpassing the previous record holder, the 106-meter Black Pearl.

Built by Oceanco in the Netherlands, Koru is a three-masted sailing yacht that features a sleek and modern design. Unlike other yachts owned by billionaires, Koru is powered by wind and sails, rather than diesel engines. It is reported that the yacht has a range of 7,000 nautical miles and can accommodate up to 36 guests and 60 crew members. The yacht is also equipped with a helipad, a swimming pool, a spa, and a gym.

The delivery of Koru has sparked controversy and criticism, with some arguing that the money spent on the yacht could have been put to better use. However, Bezos has defended his purchase, stating that he plans to use the yacht for scientific research and exploration. Regardless of the controversy, there is no denying that Koru is a stunning and impressive vessel that will undoubtedly turn heads wherever it sails.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has recently taken delivery of his new sailing yacht, Koru, after it completed its initial sea trials. The vessel is reportedly worth $500 million, making it one of the most expensive yachts in the world. This section will provide an overview of the yacht, the builder, and the cost.

Koru is a three-masted sailing yacht that is 417 feet long, making it the largest sailing yacht in the world. It was built by Oceanco, a Dutch shipyard that has built many superyachts for wealthy clients. The yacht has a steel hull and a superstructure made of aluminum. It is equipped with all the luxury amenities that one would expect from a yacht of this caliber, including a pool, a support vessel, and a range of water toys.

The Builder

Oceanco is a leading superyacht builder based in the Netherlands. The shipyard has built many of the world's most impressive yachts, including the Black Pearl, which is one of the largest sailing yachts in the world. Oceanco has a reputation for building high-quality yachts that are both luxurious and innovative.

Koru reportedly cost $500 million to build, which makes it one of the most expensive yachts in the world. The yacht was built in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and was delivered to Bezos in May 2023. The cost of the yacht has been a source of controversy, with some critics arguing that it is an excessive display of wealth.

In conclusion, Koru is a stunning sailing yacht that is equipped with all the luxury amenities that one would expect from a yacht of this caliber. It was built by Oceanco, a leading superyacht builder based in the Netherlands. The yacht reportedly cost $500 million to build, making it one of the most expensive yachts in the world.

Design and Features

Jeff Bezos' yacht, Y721, boasts an impressive design and features that make it stand out from other superyachts. The yacht has been under construction at the Oceanco shipyard in Rotterdam since 2019 and is set to be delivered in 2022.

Layout and Amenities

The Y721 is a 127-meter sailing yacht that will become the largest sailing yacht in the world upon delivery. The yacht features a sleek black hull with classic lines and a uniquely designed bowsprit - a custom spar extending forward from the ship's bow to which her forestays are fastened. The yacht's layout includes six decks, with ample space for guests and crew.

The yacht's interior is designed by Nuvolari Lenard and features a contemporary style with a focus on natural light and open spaces. The yacht has several lounges, including a main salon, a sky lounge, and a beach club. The beach club is located at the stern and includes a swimming pool, a cinema, and a gym.

Support Vessel

The Y721 also comes with a support vessel, the YS7512, which is a 75-meter Damen Yacht. The support vessel is designed to carry additional equipment, such as helicopters, tenders, and water toys. The support vessel also includes accommodation for additional guests and crew.

Toys and Entertainment

The Y721 is equipped with a range of toys and entertainment options to keep guests entertained during their stay. The yacht has a variety of water toys, including jet skis, paddleboards, and kayaks. The yacht also has a submarine, which can take guests on underwater excursions.

In addition to the water toys, the yacht has a cinema and a selection of board games and books. The yacht also has a wooden sculpture on display, adding to the yacht's artistic appeal.

Overall, the Y721 is an impressive yacht with a range of features that make it stand out from other superyachts. From the spacious layout to the range of amenities and toys on offer, the yacht is sure to provide guests with a memorable experience.

Media Coverage

News coverage.

Jeff Bezos' new yacht has been the subject of much media attention since its completion. Major news outlets such as The New York Times, BBC News, and CNN have all reported on the yacht, with some referring to it as a "superyacht" and others as a "megayacht". The yacht, named Koru, is reportedly worth $500 million and is 417 feet long.

News coverage of the yacht has focused on its size, luxury, and the fact that it is owned by one of the world's wealthiest individuals. Some reports have also speculated about the yacht's environmental impact, given its size and the fact that it is a sailing yacht rather than a motor yacht.

Social Media

The yacht has also generated significant buzz on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. Many users have shared photos and videos of the yacht, expressing awe at its size and opulence. Some have also criticized Bezos for spending so much money on a yacht, arguing that the funds could be put to better use elsewhere.

The yacht has also been the subject of memes and jokes on social media, with some users poking fun at its size and the fact that it reportedly requires a smaller yacht to transport its support equipment.

Overall, media coverage of Jeff Bezos' new yacht has been extensive, with both traditional news outlets and social media users weighing in on the yacht's significance. While some have praised the yacht as a symbol of personal growth and renewal for Bezos, others have criticized it as a display of excessive wealth and indulgence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the name of jeff bezos' yacht.

Jeff Bezos' yacht is called "Koru".

How big is Jeff Bezos' yacht?

Koru is a three-masted sailing yacht that is 127 meters (417 feet) long.

Who designed Jeff Bezos' yacht?

Koru was designed by the Dutch yacht builder, Oceanco.

What is the cost of Jeff Bezos' yacht?

The estimated cost of Koru is $500 million.

Where was Jeff Bezos' yacht built?

Koru was built in the Netherlands by Oceanco.

How many crew members are on Jeff Bezos' yacht?

It is not clear how many crew members are on Koru, but it is expected to have a large crew to maintain and operate the yacht.

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Jeff Bezos' yacht reportedly cost $500 million and is the largest sailing yacht in the world. Here's what we know.

• Jeff Bezos ' new $500 million megayacht Koru set sail this summer.
• At 417 feet long, it's the world's largest sailing yacht and even boasts a sculpture resembling his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez.
• Here's everything we know about Bezos' yacht.

Jeff Bezos' new megayacht set sail this summer, with the founder and former Amazon CEO and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez crisscrossing Europe to show it off.

At 417 feet long, the vessel is the world's largest sailing yacht and cost an estimated $500 million. The yacht is named Koru , which means "loop" or "coil" in the Māori language and often signifies new beginnings.

Koru joins a large class of flashy billionaires' yachts , including the 305-foot-long Eos, which belongs to billionaire Barry Diller and fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.

Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison owns a yacht called Musashi, which is 288 feet long.

Bezos commissioned the enormous boat from the Dutch custom yacht builder Oceanco, and it took years to construct.

In February, the yacht underwent its first sea trials, a series of tests usually conducted in the last phases of construction. Koru made its maiden voyage in April, traveling from the Netherlands to Gibraltar.

Related stories

The vessel has a pool on deck, and the prow features a mermaid sculpture that bears a striking resemblance to Bezos' then-girlfriend Sanchez. A second "support yacht," which has an on-deck helipad, accompanies Koru on its travels.

Sanchez has said the sculpture affixed to Bezos' yacht isn't her. "I'm very flattered, but it's not," she told Vogue. The sculpture is apparently of the Norse goddess Freyja, one of Bezos' favorite figures from mythology.

Bezos and Sanchez were first seen aboard the yacht along the coast of Spain in May, shortly before news broke that the couple had gotten engaged. The couple spent the rest of the summer on board traveling to various destinations, stopping at the Cannes Film Festival, sailing down the Italian Riviera, and making their way to Croatia.

In August, the yacht played host to an engagement party for Bezos and Sanchez , which reportedly drew guests including Bill Gates, Whitney Wolfe Herd, Ari Emanuel, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

While yacht season was apparently enjoyable for the couple, it was only after the vessel stirred up quite a bit of controversy: Koru's masts were so tall that the yacht nearly required the dismantling of a historic bridge in the Netherlands in order for it to pass through.

Locals planned to egg Bezos' superyacht if the bridge came down. Following the public outcry, Oceanco withdrew its request for the city to take apart the bridge.

And despite this massive purchase, Bezos' net worth is still well over $100 billion.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

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It costs $25 million a year to keep jeff bezos' $500 million luxury superyacht afloat — but he earns that in just 3 hours.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has made headlines for his business ventures and extravagant lifestyle.

One of the most notable symbols of his wealth is his superyacht, Koru, which costs around $500 million. This 417-foot luxury sailing yacht , built by Oceanco, features three towering masts and is the tallest sailing yacht in the world.

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Inside the Superyacht Koru

Koru's design is a marvel of modern engineering and luxury. The yacht boasts three decks, including one with a swimming pool, a gym, a spa, and a sauna. The interiors are crafted with the finest materials, providing unparalleled comfort and aesthetics.

Advanced technology enables Koru to be primarily powered by kinetic energy from its sails, reducing the need for a large crew and enhancing its environmental sustainability.

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Annual Operating Costs

Owning a superyacht like Koru involves significant annual expenses. The estimated cost to run and maintain Koru is about $25 million annually. Here's a breakdown of these costs:

Crew Salaries: The yacht accommodates up to 36 crew members. Given the high skill level required, annual crew salaries can be significant but specific figures are not disclosed in the sources.

Maintenance: General maintenance, including repairs and refits, can reach tens of millions. According to Luxury Launches, refits alone can cost up to $20 million.

Fuel: Refueling the yacht can cost upward of $500,000 due to its large fuel capacity.

Insurance: The annual insurance cost for a yacht like Koru is around $5 million.

Docking Fees: Docking fees in prime locations can be around $5,000 per night, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

Utilities and Amenities: Operating the onboard facilities and utilities, including electricity and entertainment systems, can potentially cost between $1 million and $3 million per year.

Security: Additional security measures for such a high-value vessel can cost several million dollars annually.

Luxury Maintenance: Maintaining the yacht's luxury interiors and furnishings can range from $2 million to $5 million annually.

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Koru is often seen cruising in various luxury destinations around the world. However, it is primarily kept in European waters, especially in the Mediterranean. The yacht has also been spotted in the Caribbean and along the coasts of the United States, particularly near Bezos's homes in Florida.

Bezos's Spending Spree and Florida Homes

Jeff Bezos's purchase of Koru is part of a broader pattern of high-value acquisitions. In addition to his superyacht, Bezos has been on a spending spree, acquiring multiple properties in recent years. He most recently invested in several luxurious homes in Florida's exclusive "Billionaire Bunker."

Bezos's Net Worth Surge

In early 2023, Jeff Bezos's net worth was $107 billion. By early 2024, it had surged to $177 billion, a $70 billion gain, according to Fortune. This translates to an increase of $191.8 million daily or about $8 million per hour. To put this into perspective, Bezos earns the equivalent of the median lifetime earnings of a typical U.S. worker ($1.7 million in 2023) in about 12.76 minutes.

Bezos' spending habits reflect his vast wealth and interest in maintaining a luxurious lifestyle while expanding his investments in various sectors.

Koru is a prime symbol of his wealth and taste for luxury. The costs associated with owning and operating such a vessel are substantial, but they are a mere fraction of his overall fortune. As Bezos continues to expand his real estate holdings and enjoy his time on Koru, his lifestyle remains a topic of fascination and envy.

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Jeff Bezos's megayacht worth $500 million makes its maiden voyage. 9 points on 'Koru'

Running koru will cost jeff bezos $25 million a year..

Running the yacht will cost Amazon founder Jeff Bezos $25 million a year.

Jeff Bezos's megayacht -- believed to be the largest sailing yacht in the world -- has finally completed construction five years after it was commissioned in 2018, and made its maiden voyage. The vessel, called Koru, is estimated to be worth $500 million. It was previously known as Y721 or Project 721, but its new name Koru means 'new beginnings' in Maori.

The yacht left Dutch shipmaker Oceanco's facilities on Thursday and traveled to Gibraltar,  Business Insider reported.

Here's what we know about Koru:

1.) Running the yacht will cost Amazon founder Jeff Bezos $25 million a year.

2.) Koru is the tallest yacht in the world, with triple masts towering at over 230 feet, making the sailing yacht nearly half the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

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3.) The vessel is 127 meters long and can accommodate 18 guests and requires a crew of 40, New York Post reported.

4.) The aluminum and steel vessel reportedly boasts three decks, including one with a swimming pool.

5.) There is a smaller 250-foot support vessel that will serve as a helicopter landing pad for Bezos and his guests.

6.) The smaller yacht is also expected to be loaded with luxury cars, jet skis, speedboats, and maybe even a personal submarine, Daily Mail reported.

7.) Last year, Koru found itself in the middle of a controversy after Oceanco, requested that a historic bridge in the Netherlands be dismantled because the yacht's three masts were too tall to pass under the bridge, despite its 131-foot clearance. The 130-foot steel structure wouldn’t allow the vessel and its 229-foot masts to pass through.

8.) Following an uproar from residents, the boat was towed from its construction location to another shipyard in a nearby town without its masts,  New York Post reported. There were also reports of locals threatening to pelt the yacht with eggs. Subsequently, Koru was towed away under cover of darkness.

Read more: Jeff Bezos’ yacht quietly moved out of Dutch shipyard after backlash | Watch

9.) Despite all the expenses, however, Koru is not the world’s most expensive yacht. It ranks below the $4.8 billion History Supreme — a gold- and platinum-plated yacht which features a T-rex bone wall made of meteoric stone. The vessel was bought in 2011 by an anonymous Malaysian businessman, New York Post reported.

Read more: Viral video: Massive superyacht worth millions sinks off the coast of Italy

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Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos's New Yacht Costs $500 Million

Megabillionaire Jeff Bezos's monstrous yacht cost an estimated $500 million. The cost doesn’t even include the support boat.

May 13 2021, Published 3:57 p.m. ET

While the rest of the world might be struggling to pay rent in an economy hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is getting a new boat. 

Bezos's new boat isn't just any ordinary boat. The Project 721 is a 417-foot superyacht with several decks, three masts, and even its own “support yacht” with a helipad, reports Bloomberg . 

Reportedly, it's the largest vessel ever built by the Dutch luxury yacht builder, Oceanco. 

This Oceanco yacht is smaller than the one Jeff Bezos purchased.

The monstrous yacht’s estimated cost is $500 million, and that cost doesn’t even include the support boat. 

Business boomed for Bezos during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The world hadn’t even heard about COVID-19 when Bezos ordered his boat a few years ago. However, the COVID-19 pandemic boosted Amazon's business. Worldwide, people were forced to stay home and have many of their necessities sent directly to them.

If you needed toothpaste, Amazon was there for you. 

In 2020, Amazon (AMZN) stock climbed 75 percent and made Bezos about $75 billion richer than he already was. According to Bloomberg , his total net worth is almost $200 billion. 

Sales for luxury superyachts have surged.

Apparently, Bezos isn’t the only member of the super-rich to buy a superyacht during the COVID-19 pandemic. Superyacht sales surged at the end of 2020 and in the first quarter of 2021. The demand for extravagantly high-end yachts has outstripped supply, Bloomberg reports. 

“The market’s been roaring,” Sam Tucker, head of superyacht research at London-based VesselsValue, told Bloomberg . “It’s impossible to get a slot in a new-build yard. They’re totally booked.”

Boats have actually been a popular pandemic purchase for many people, not just the ultra-wealthy. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, boat sales hit a 13-year high last year. When it comes to social distancing, day-drinking on a boat is a better option than going to a bar or restaurant. 

How many yachts does Jeff Bezos own?

By all accounts, the Project 721 superyacht is Bezos’s first yacht. He caught the yachting bug in 2019 while sailing on his friend billionaire Barry Diller’s yacht, Eos. 

Comedians roasted Jeff Bezos over his yacht purchase.

After news came out about Captain Bezos and his ginormous boat, it didn’t take long for the jokes to start.

“The founder of Amazon is reportedly building a $500 million superyacht that is so big, it requires a ‘support yacht’ to travel with it. This is like the billionaire version of having a second fridge in your garage,” said comedian and late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.

“It sounds like an old-time comedian’s routine, doesn’t it? Jeff Bezos is so rich, even his boats have got boats. Bezos is so rich, when he goes to the A.T.M., the A.T.M. asks him for money.” said James Corden, host of The Late Late Show .

“The pandemic has been a boom time for billionaires, and they are using their profits to give back to hard-hit communities, as long as those communities build giant, shiny new yachts,” joked Late Show host Stephen Colbert. 

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Here are 9 mind-blowing facts about Jeff Bezos’ $500 million megayacht – 5 years under construction ‘Koru’ is the tallest and one of the most luxurious ships in the world. The centibillionaire will be paying around $137,000 every day just for the upkeep of the vessel.

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8 Fascinating Facts About ‘Koru,’ Jeff Bezos’s Bonkers 410-Foot Sailing Superyacht

According to the latest Forbes ‘s Real-Time Billionaires List, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is currently worth around $204 billion, making him the second-wealthiest person on the planet, just behind Tesla CEO Elon Musk .

So handing over an estimated $500 million for his 410-foot Koru , the world’s largest sailing yacht , another $75 million for Abeona , its 250-foot support vessel, and then paying the $30 million or so a year to cover running costs for both, should be well within his budget.

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Bezos surprised the boating world when he opted for a classically styled, three-masted sailing yacht instead of some flashy mega motoryacht. What’s more it has a buxom wooden sculpture on the forepeak, typical of 19th-century sailing vessels. And since taking delivery last year, he and his fiancé, Lauren Sánchez, have been using the yacht to cruise the world in style.

While secrecy still shrouds Koru , especially its interior and many of its technical features, we take a closer look at what makes it, arguably, the most interesting sailing superyacht in years.

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Click here to read the full article.

Designed as a Modern Classic

Koru would never be described as sleek, or elegant even. But she does have a classical style. Designed by the Dutch masters at Dykstra Naval Architecture, the boat is distinguished by its towering navy-blue steel hull, snowy-white, two-level aluminum superstructure, sweeping canoe stern, and a trio of soaring masts. Her design inspiration is said to be the triple-masted schooner Eos , built by Germany’s Lürssen Yachts in 2006 for American media mogul Barry Diller. And, ignoring the current trend of oversized windows, Koru ‘s hull sides are dotted with traditional portholes with smaller-than typical windows for the upper decks (no doubt helping to protect guests from paparazzi lenses). Little is known about the yacht’s interior design, other than it’s the work of London-based Mlinaric, Henry and Zervudachi studio. Oceanco’s website describes the interior as a “timeless, contemporary style, with natural wood tones complemented by a palette of warm neutrals and beautifully patterned textiles.”

Claiming the Prize for Size

At 410 feet bow to stern and with a beam of 56 feet, Koru is the largest sailing yacht in the world. Some might argue the title should go to the 468-foot Sailing Yacht A . But that quirky, Philippe Stark–designed triple-master is considered a “sail-assisted motoryacht” rather than a true sailing yacht. Koru is also big inside, with a reported internal volume of 3,300 gross T=tons, that offers room for up to 18 guests in nine cabins and accommodations for a crew of 36.

A True Sailor

Full credit to Jeff Bezos for ignoring his fellow billionaires’ penchant for giant, diesel-guzzling superyachts. (Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg recently took delivery of his 387-foot Launchpad , powered by quadruple MTU engines packing a combined 23,400 hp.) With its giant, more-than-20,000-square-foot sail plan (including three mainsails and three, cutter-style headsails), Koru has been regularly photographed cruising under sail. It’s also believed the yacht is making an effort to focus on sustainability, from reports of it testing out a prototype kinetic energy recovery system that converts wave-induced motion into electrical energy. The vessel is also believed to feature a hybrid power system with large battery banks that run its systems at night while at anchor.

Its 250-Foot, $75 Million “Tender”

The challenge with sailing yachts, even one that’s 410 feet long, is that it’s nearly impossible to land a helicopter on the deck. So Bezos commissioned a 250-foot support vessel, named Abeona after the Roman goddess of travelers. The largest shadow vessel ever built by Holland’s Damen Yachting, this explorer comes with a rear-deck helipad and hangar big enough to accommodate an Airbus ACH-135 helicopter. There’s also space aboard for a small armada of water toys and tenders, plus accommodations below decks for up to 45 crew and support staff.

Built Under Total Secrecy

Tasked with taking Koru from concept to reality was the superyacht builder Oceanco, based south of Rotterdam in Alblasserdam, Holland. The famed yard, owned by billionaire Mohammed Al Barwani, who also owns Turquoise Yachts in Turkey, recently completed Steven Spielberg’s new 357-foot superyacht Seven Sea s, and the similar-sized Bravo Eugenia , launched in 2018 for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Koru was reportedly first commissioned in 2018 as Project Y721 and delivered to the Amazon founder in Gibraltar in April 2023.

What’s in a Name?

While a betting person might have predicted that Bezos would have given his sailing yacht a more Amazon-connected name, like Prime, Deliverance, or even Blue Origin after his space company, he picked Koru . The name is said to be Maori for “loop” or “coil” and resembles the spiral shape of an unfurling silver fern frond. It’s said to be an integral symbol of New Zealand Maori art that symbolizes new life and new beginnings. Look closely at the wooden figurehead on Koru ‘s bow and the necklace around the woman’s neck features a pendant shaped like the koru symbol.

A Bridge Too Far

As Koru was nearing completion in 2021, word got out that builder Oceanco had approached the city of Rotterdam in Holland, offering to pay for the partial disassembly of the historic 97-year-old Koningshaven lift-bridge, which was too low for the yacht with its triple 230-foot masts in place, to pass under on its way to the North Sea. The city reportedly consented, but the move resulted in a huge public outcry with threats to plaster Koru with eggs as it passed through the bridge. Oceanco withdrew its application and instead towed the yacht to Rotterdam’s Greenport shipyard west of the city, transported the masts by barge, and installed them there.

The Places You’ll Go

Hot on the heels of Koru ‘s handover in Gibraltar in April last year, the superyacht has seemingly been cruising non-stop. It was spotted exploring Spain’s Balearic Islands, anchored off Cannes during the film festival, and moored at celebrity hot spots like Saint-Tropez, Capri, Portofino, and Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Bezos reportedly proposed to Sánchez on the bow of Koru off Cannes in May last year, followed by an engagement party aboard in Positano, Italy with a guest list that included Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kris Jenner, Toby Maguire, and Queen Rania of Jordan. Then Koru cruised the 4,000-plus miles across the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale for a re-fuel and re-supply before heading to the Caribbean for winter cruising. This summer it was back to the Mediterranean for more island-hopping.

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What Do We Know About Jeff Bezos and his Yacht?

The enormous vessel has reportedly been delivered to its owner.

By Irenie Forshaw

Following five years of rumors, scandals, and more than its fair share of controversy, Jeff Bezos’s yacht has finally set sail. The colossal 417-ft vessel – officially named  Koru  – was spotted in the North Sea undergoing its first tests in March. Now, following her maiden voyage at the beginning of April, the enormous vessel has reportedly been delivered to her owner.

Getting to this point hasn’t been easy. Back in 2018, news got out that Oceanco – the custom yacht builder behind the legendary Black Pearl – was working on the planet’s biggest sailing yacht, codenamed Y721.

Naturally, the press had a field day trying to figure out who was behind the record-setting vessel. After several months of speculation, it came as little surprise when reports emerged claiming Jeff Bezos as the billionaire bankrolling the new project.

He is, after all, the third richest person on the planet with an estimated net worth of $128bn. So, it seemed only a matter of time before the Amazon founder would throw his hat into the superyacht arms race.

But when the gleaming new vessel was nearing completion, Oceanco hit a roadblock. Getting Koru out of Rotterdam proved trickier than the Dutch shipbuilder had anticipated. In fact, Jeff Bezos’s new yacht is so enormous that the space entrepreneur offered to pay for the city’s historic Koningshaven Bridge to be dismantled to let it pass.

Needless to say, this didn’t go down well with locals and a petition to pelt the boat with rotten eggs on its maiden voyage garnered thousands of signatures. Following the public uproar, Oceanco scrapped plans to temporarily take apart the bridge and instead quietly towed the enormous yacht in the early hours of the morning to another shipyard where its masts were added.

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As Jeff Bezos’s record-breaking new yacht finally sets sail, we’ve rounded up everything there is to know about the gigantic vessel.

[See more: The World’s Most Expensive Yachts for Charter]

Who is building Jeff Bezos’s yacht?

The new superyacht was commissioned in 2018 and is being constructed by Oceanco for an estimated $500m. Situated in Alblasserdam, around 12 miles from Rotterdam, the luxury shipyard is owned by Omani billionaire businessman, Mohammed Al Barwani.

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This isn’t the first time the custom yacht builder has turned its hand to constructing a record-breaking vessel. Four years ago, Oceanco delivered   Black Pearl , which, at 350 ft, became the largest sailing yacht in the world. The striking three-mast vessel (pictured above) garnered attention for its revolutionary design and eco-credentials.

What do we know about the design?

While Oceanco has remained tight-lipped about the project, this hasn’t stopped a few details about Jeff Bezos’s new yacht from emerging. It is thought the vessel will be modeled on Black Pearl with three enormous masts so it can be powered largely by kinetic energy from the sails. First spotted being rolled out of a shipbuilding shed last year, the yacht features a black hull, white superstructure and elegant silhouette.

According to Boat International , the aluminum and steel schooner will boast three decks including one with a swimming pool. At 417 ft long, the enormous vessel is set to become the world’s largest sailing yacht, unseating the current titleholder, the Black Pearl , by 67 ft. To put things in perspective, if stood vertically, Jeff Bezos’s new yacht would be almost the same height as the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The controversial vessel was set to exceed the Koningshaven Bridge’s 131-ft clearance and had to be towed to a different shipyard where it will be completed. With so much space, the yacht will be able to comfortably host 18 guests, plus a crew of 40 to cater to their every whim.

Perhaps most extravagant is the 250-ft support vessel complete with a helicopter landing pad for flying in Bezos’s celebrity guests, which is reportedly currently being built by Damen Yachting also in the Netherlands. This smaller yacht is expected to be loaded with an array of toys including jet skis, speedboats, luxury cars and perhaps even a personal submarine.

It’s little wonder Jeff Bezos’s yacht will reportedly cost around $25m to run annually – a drop in the ocean for Bezos who broke records in July 2020 for adding $13bn to his fortune in a single day.

How about the interiors?

While it’s highly unlikely we’ll get a look inside Jeff Bezos’s new vessel any time soon, the interiors onboard Koru are reported to be inspired by Eos – a 305-ft yacht that belongs to his close friend, the founder and former CEO of Fox, Barry Diller.

The interiors onboard Eos were created by the late François Catroux, known for his glamorous designs for the world’s most notable royals, aristocrats and media moguls. Like Diller, when Bezos decks out his new yacht, one thing is certain: no expense will be spared.

[See more: The 10 Biggest Superyachts in the World]

Irenie Forshaw

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Jeff Bezos’s $500 Million Megayacht Was Spotted Undergoing Test Trials in the North Sea

The amazon founder's y721 koru from oceanco has finally hit the high seas., louisa ballhaus, louisa ballhaus's most recent stories.

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Jeff Bezos has a new toy in the works, and it looks like he’s making sure it’ll be ready for summertime travels.

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Bezos ran into some trouble earlier this year when it came out that the Koningshaven Bridge in the Netherlands might have to be dismantled to let Y721 Koru pass through, as the megayacht’s 229-foot masts exceeded the bridge’s 131-foot clearance. City officials briefly agreed to disassemble the bridge but then decided against it in the face of public backlash, according to The New York Times. That negative reaction included a threat from residents to show up and pelt rotten eggs at the $500 million behemoth.

Oceanco, the company that built Y721 Koru, ultimately decided against applying for the permit that would be required for dismantling Koningshaven Bridge, and the boat was instead quietly towed to another shipyard without its mast.

Bezos’s completed yacht will be accompanied by a 246-foot-long “shadow yacht” called YS7512, Damen Yacht’s largest-ever support vessel. It will fit 45 people onboard, feature a helicopter hangar and storage for Jet Skis and other water toys and is reportedly called Abeona , according to Boat International .

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Is Jeff Bezos’s $500 million yacht made with ‘blood timber’ from Myanmar? (commentary)

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• The founder of Amazon.com and the second wealthiest man in the world, Jeff Bezos, has donated billions of dollars through his Earth Fund to combat climate change and protect nature.
• Yet he also commissioned Oceanco to build the largest sailing vessel in the world, at a reported cost of $500 million, a 127 meter-long ‘mega yacht’ which uses the highly prized tropical wood teak for its decking, much of the world’s best supply of which comes from Myanmar.
• Myanmar teak has been labeled ‘blood timber’ following the country’s violent February 2021 coup d’état, and so far, Oceanco has declined to confirm its source, making it a “very controversial choice for a European yacht builder, especially one seeking to source the finest materials for a client burnishing his environmental credentials,” a new op-ed argues.
• This article is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily of Mongabay.

Following tea with King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, the king of global retail made an extraordinary announcement on the next stage in his bid to help save the planet.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com and the second wealthiest man in the world, had already donated $1 billion (approx. £805.8 million) through his Earth Fund to combat climate change and protect nature.

Now he turned his attention to trees.

At the CoP26 UN climate summit in Glasgow in November 2021, he revealed he would halt deforestation and desertification, not in the rainforest that bore his company’s name, but in Africa by planting 20 million trees across the continent in a project called The Great Green Wall.

Meanwhile, 700 miles away, shrouded in secrecy, he was engaged in another ambitious and hugely expensive project – but there are concerns this one may be connected to massive illegal deforestation, genocide, corruption, the financing of a brutal military dictatorship and circumventing EU law.

Well, three years earlier, Bezos commissioned Oceanco, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to build him the largest sailing vessel in the world at a reported cost of $500 million (almost £403 million).

It was codenamed Y721, a 127 meter-long ‘mega yacht’ with an aluminum and steel hull and three gigantic masts making the vessel half the height of the Great Pyramid of Giza. No expense was spared, and it was literally bedecked from bow to stern in undeniably beautiful teak.

Teak is highly prized in luxury yacht building for its durability, water-repellent properties and elegant appearance. And as the best teak on Earth is found in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), it may be assumed that it will have been used for the acres of decking on Bezos’s yacht, although neither he nor Oceanco have confirmed it.

My organization, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)’s repeated enquiries to all involved in the construction and fitting out of Bezos’s new toy – which has guest accommodation for 18 and a crew of 36, plus its own 247 foot support tender with a helipad and mini-submarine – have been met with stony silence.

That’s because teak, especially Myanmar teak, is a very controversial choice for a European yacht builder, especially one seeking to source the finest materials for a client burnishing his environmental credentials.

Since 2013, the European Union has taken a particularly tough stance on imports of teak from Myanmar by member states, fearing it had been illegally harvested. Five years later, it adopted the ‘common position’ that it is impossible to guarantee that timber from Myanmar had been felled legally due to failings in documenting the chain of custody.

See related: Time to jettison Myanmar teak, some yacht-making insiders say

The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) requires due diligence by importers to trace timber from the moment a tree is cut down through to importation by another country. This is not possible in Myanmar, so any timber imports from that country are in violation of the law.

Where then did Oceanco, owned by Mohammed Al Barwani, an Omani billionaire with business interests in fossil fuels and mining, get its teak for Y721? And when? The yacht builder has been reluctant to be totally transparent on the issue.

However, when asked by  Mongabay , a spokesperson said : “At Oceanco, we ensure all teak used on our projects meets the EUTR-order 995/2010, which is verified by third-party verification to ensure due diligence.”

He cited Double Helix Tracking Technologies as the company used for verification.

Double Helix is an interesting outfit based in Singapore. It claims to use a unique process and genetic mapping to pinpoint where a tree originated, right down to the precise forest, to prove it was legally felled.

“Double Helix claims that it can reliably identify the exact place of harvest of timber by using DNA analysis,” stated the EUTR Expert Panel on Myanmar Teak in December 2020.

“However, neither this nor other methodologies used to identify the region in which timber was harvested can reliably exclude that the timber tested was harvested from within or outside specific forest harvesting or conflict areas, as the possibility of attribution is limited to the country and some areas could not be sampled.”

As EU experts concluded, “This method can therefore not help exclude that timber comes from a conflict area or was harvested in another district than foreseen.”

In June 2022, the expert group cast further doubt on Double Helix’s ability to verify the origin of teak from Myanmar. It noted that despite the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee (MFCC) recognizing Double Helix as an independent verification body, it is “… unlikely to guarantee independent verifiability of the legality of the harvest and the traceability throughout the supply chain, due to a system shortcoming in the recognition process.”

In other words, in the view of the EU, it was inconceivable. So, it is down to the competent Dutch authorities if they intend to uphold the law to investigate whether the yacht’s decking is Myanmar teak and, if it is, how it ended up in Holland.

The level of deforestation in Myanmar is cataclysmic – it has lost tree cover in an area roughly the size of Switzerland since 2001, according to data from Global Forest Watch, and EIA estimates that if it continues at its current rate, the country’s forests will disappear by 2035.

The state-owned Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE) has always maintained that the wood it exports is legal and sustainable, often comes from old stockpiles, and complies with annual felling quotas. MTE, which is rife with corruption, is a monopoly controlling all aspects of the harvesting, processing, marketing and export of the country’s teak.

It is not just the importation of the so-called ‘king of woods’ into Holland, whether legal or illicit, that is casting an ugly shadow across the decks and impressive bowsprit of the Bezos mega yacht.

Myanmar teak has now been labeled ‘blood timber’ following the country’s genocide against the Rohingya and a brutal coup d’état by the military in February 2021. To date, the military has killed an estimated 3,463 people, including 363 children, in response to pro-democracy movements. A further 21,879 people have been arrested and 154 sentenced to death.

Immediately after the coup, the junta seized control of MTE and has been using profits from the auction of the country’s precious and dwindling ‘blood timber’ to fill its coffers ever since – all while Indigenous peoples in Myanmar are still subjected to illegal land grabs by loggers and suffer other human rights abuses.

At the same time, as EIA recently revealed, vast amounts of teak are being imported into Bezos’s homeland despite the U.S.’s Lacey Act of 2018, which constitutes the world’s first ban on trade in illegally-sourced wood products. Following the coup, the Biden administration imposed sanctions on companies such as MTE and some of the ruling generals for their appalling human rights record. The E.U., Canada and the U.K. did likewise.

None of this is a good look for a man who wants to look good.

Bezos once proclaimed, with trees in mind: “We simply can’t address climate change without reversing the loss of nature and vice versa.”

So, perhaps he could set an example and use his unique position and fabulous wealth to speak out against Myanmar’s brutal junta and illegal logging in the country?

It would involve him embracing ‘Koru’, the Māori word for ‘new beginnings, life and hope’ – but, after all, that is what he’s named his yacht.

Paul Woolwich is Head of Communications for the Environmental Investigation Agency .

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Koru: all about jeff bezos's $500 million superyacht that is 410 feet long.

Koru is going to be the world’s largest sailing yacht which will be owned by the Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos and will have striking features to amaze the world. The billionaire is paying a hefty amount for the superyacht which will cover all the running costs for the sensational structure.

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Breaking news, jeff bezos buys $500m superyacht amid luxury industry boom.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos will reportedly soon take delivery of a $500 million mega-yacht — proof that the niche industry for billionaires is in its prime.

The world’s richest man — currently worth $191 billion — is expected to soon get his project Y721 yacht, which is due to be finished next month, years after he ordered it, according to Bloomberg Wealth .

While details are mostly being kept under wraps, the vessel will be 417 feet long, span several decks and have three huge masts — and even have its own support yacht with a helipad, according to the outlet.

It will likely cost at least $500 million, and is one of the largest sailing yachts ever built in the Netherlands, the unofficial capital of boat-building for the uber-rich, Bloomberg said.

The price tag may be nothing for Bezos, who has been photographed numerous times on yachting trips with girlfriend Lauren Sanchez .

But it is a symbol of the secretive boat-building industry that is thriving like never before — thanks largely to the COVID-19 pandemic making many of the world’s wealthiest even richer , Bloomberg’s analysis showed.

“The market’s been roaring,” Sam Tucker, head of superyacht research at London-based VesselsValue, told the outlet.

Recent transactions have been “record-breaking” — and “the second-hand market is absolutely red hot.”

“It’s impossible to get a slot in a new-build yard,” Tucker said. “They’re totally booked.”

Yacht builders initially feared a slowdown when the pandemic started — but were instead overwhelmed by orders as the world’s richest people added $1.8 trillion to their collective fortune, Bloomberg reported.

Life at sea is attractive for many now that glitzy social events are canceled on land and celebrities and influencers often get ripped for overindulgences in the public eye.

While Bezos ordered Y721 before the pandemic started, he is one of those who has profited most from people around the world turning to Amazon to shop during the pandemic.

Still, he may want to stay humble about his amazing new purchase, Bloomberg said, noting how fellow billionaire David Geffen was ripped for flaunting his pandemic life on his own superyacht, Rising Sun.

Oceanco, the Dutch yachtmaker responsible for Y721, declined to comment, Bloomberg said.

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$500m price tag and bronze statue similar to his girlfriend: What we know about Jeff Bezos’s wild superyacht

‘koru’ superyacht comes complete with figurehead that looks similar to amazon founder’s girlfriend. meredith clark writes.

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Jeff Bezos and his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez have been spotted relaxing on the Amazon founder’s new superyacht, which is reportedly worth almost $500m.

The 59-year-old billionaire was photographed aboard the 417-foot-long vessel as it set sail along the coast of Spain on Monday, 15 May.

The couple’s maiden voyage comes nearly five years after the vessel was first commissioned in 2018 for half a billion dollars. The yacht – named the Koru after the Maori word for “new beginnings” – comes complete with three decks and a pool.

In photos obtained by the Daily Mail , Bezos was seen shirtless on the megayacht’s sundeck, while Sanchez was dressed in a pink bikini and white cover-up as the pair enjoyed the sunshine.

Bezos reportedly arrived to his yacht via helicopter, making use of the vessel’s helipad, after being flown to Mallorca on a private jet.

The 250-foot tall boat even came equipped with a figurehead that bore a striking resemblance to Bezo’s 53-year-old girlfriend. The polished wooden sculpture, which sits at the prow of the yacht, depicts a woman carved in the style of a Roman goddess, complete with long hair and a flowing gown.

Koru, previously known as Y721, is the tallest sailing yacht in the world with three masts measuring more than 230 feet, according to Boat International . It reportedly cost Bezos $485m.

The boat’s exterior has a classic design of a black hull with a white superstructure. Although the brand-new vessel doesn’t come with a helipad, the Amazon founder reportedly purchased a support yacht, worth $75m specifically to land his helicopter.

The Koru was constructed by Dutch yacht maker Oceano near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. It caused quite a scandal in February 2022 when the vessel nearly required the historic Koningshaven Bridge to be dismantled because its masts were too tall to pass under the bridge.

Indeed, the vessel is officially the tallest yacht in the world, standing at more than 230ft (70m), and is the length of four blue whales at 416ft (127m) - one of just four yachst in the world to boast a length of greater than 100m.

When Oceanco requested the city of Rotterdam dismantle the 100-year-old bridge – known to locals as “De Hef” – outraged citizens planned to throw rotten eggs at the superyacht. The yacht maker rescinded its request and ultimately hauled the 417-foot vessel to a separate shipyard to install the masts.

The clever design of the three masts, which see the yacht powered by kinetic energy, mean Bezos does not need an entire crew to staff the vessel - instead the Koru can be manned by one person (although no doubt the billionaire will have staff on hand for more of his voyages).

Guests visiting Bezos aboard his new superyacht are able to arrive via helicopter thanks to the vessel’s helipad, while other transport on board includes a fleet of cars, jetskis and smaller speedboats.

The yacht reportedly costs $25m a year to maintain, according to Page Six , but Bezos has more than enough money to cover the maintenance – his net worth is an estimated $141bn.

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News & Insights

Billionaire Jeff Bezos Races Rocket Lab and a Chinese Start-Up to Build the Next SpaceX

September 17, 2024 — 08:30 am EDT

Written by Rich Smith for The Motley Fool  ->

In December 2015, Elon Musk's SpaceX did something no other organization on Earth -- either government-run or corporate -- had ever managed to do before: Launch a rocket into orbit and then land it back on solid ground on Earth safely . Nearly a decade later, no other entity has yet managed to duplicate this feat, which is part of the reason it dominates the market for space launches today, and part of the reason SpaceX now has a market cap of more than $210 billion .

But at least three companies aim to try to repeat that achievement soon. The first one to succeed could become the next SpaceX.

Image source: Getty Images.

Blue Origin

Blue Origin and SpaceX have been feuding since way back in November 2015, when Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos stole Musk's thunder by landing his New Shepard rocket back on Earth before Musk could land a Falcon 9.

Admittedly, the New Shepard is a suborbital rocket, and Musk had been busy trying to bring his rockets down for controlled landings on boats while Bezos was taking the easy road with touchdowns on land. Even so, Bezos found a way to get Musk's goat, and the feud between the two space billionaires has been continuous ever since.

Next month, Bezos will attempt to one-up Musk once more when Blue Origin launches its New Glenn rocket on its first-ever flight. New Glenn will carry a Blue Origin space tug (one of the few space vessel types SpaceX hasn't tried building yet) dubbed Blue Ring to orbit. It will also attempt to land its first stage on a ship at sea, duplicating a feat that only SpaceX has ever accomplished thus far.

If Bezos succeeds, it will mean Blue Origin possesses a more powerful reusable rocket than the Falcon 9. While SpaceX says the Falcon 9 can carry a payload of 22 tons to low Earth orbit, Blue Origin says the New Glenn's payload capacity is 45 tons.

After spending the last three years developing the successor to its Electron small rocket , publicly traded Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ: RKLB) aims to debut its reusable Neutron rocket in a launch in mid-2025.

The Neutron features an innovative design in which the rocket's reusable first stage encloses an expendable second stage. After its fuel burn, the first stage releases the second stage and the payload, then closes back up in preparation for its own controlled landing (in what some are calling a "Hungry Hippo" design).

As such, Neutron will represent a quantum leap in Rocket Lab's capabilities. Whereas its Electron rocket's payload capacity maxes out at around 300 kilograms, Neutron will be able to launch payloads up to 13 metric tons. That's not quite in the same class as Falcon 9 or New Glenn, but it's plenty big enough to accommodate most standard satellites, and should also permit Rocket Lab to deploy entire constellations of small satellites for its customers in a single launch.

Rocket Lab, too, will aim to land its new rocket on a barge at sea.

And now for the wild card. Over in China, rocket tech start-up iSpace (not to be confused with Japan's ispace -- although I guarantee there's going to be confusion) announced last week that it had secured $99 million in new funding to further development of its own reusable rocket, the Hyperbola-3.

Smaller than the other two contenders, Hyperbola-3 is expected to have the capacity to boost an 8.5-ton payload into low Earth orbit. Like Falcon 9, New Glenn, and Neutron, it will favor sea landings to reduce the amount of fuel being carried, which will in turn enable it to carry close to its maximum payload.

iSpace aims to conduct its first Hyperbola-3 launch in December 2025, making it last in line among these would-be SpaceX copycats to make the attempt. It's also arguably the company with the worst outlook for success. Over seven launches to date of its Hyperbola-1 expendable rocket, Payload Research notes that iSpace has notched only four successes.

That's a batting average of .571 -- great for baseball, but significantly worse than Blue Origin's record with New Shepard, or Rocket Lab's with Electron.

What it all means to investors

But yes, I'm still saying "there's a chance" -- not just for iSpace, but for all three of these space companies to succeed. And if even one of them does, it will change the dynamics of competition in the space industry.

Rocket reusability, after all, was a key reason why SpaceX has been able to cut the costs of orbital launches, which forced competitors like United Launch Alliance and Arianespace to cut their prices as well. Once Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, or iSpace reaches that technological milestone, SpaceX might feel compelled to cut prices further to compete.

Further, it will add enormous pressure on United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin , and on Arianespace parent Airbus , to finally design and build reusable rockets of their own.

In a contest between companies that throw away their rockets after each use and companies that save money by reusing them, it's fairly clear which ones will be able to offer the best prices to their space customers . And those that can't offer the best prices are probably destined for a turbulent future -- along with their investors.

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Rich Smith has positions in Rocket Lab USA. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin and Rocket Lab USA. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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