Motor Yachts, Semi and Full-Custom Yachts
From 50m (164’) to 120m (294’)
New Build, Warranty, Maintenance/Refit
Amels is a distinguished Dutch yacht builder with roots dating back to 1918, when the Amels family established a shipyard in Makkum focused on commercial craft. Decades of maritime experience laid the groundwork for a gradual move into luxury yachting, a transition solidified in the early 1980s with the delivery of the yard’s first superyacht, Katalina. The brand entered a new chapter in 1991 when it became part of the Damen Shipyards Group, combining heritage craftsmanship with the scale and resources of a global shipbuilding leader.
Today, Amels is widely recognized for its ability to balance engineering rigor with refined design. The introduction of the Limited Editions concept in 2005 marked a pivotal moment, offering owners a semi-custom pathway built on proven platforms while retaining meaningful freedom of personalization. This approach delivers confidence in performance, predictable build timelines, and a high level of finish across each project.
Alongside Limited Editions yachts, Amels continues to develop full custom superyachts and comprehensive refit programs. Its philosophy centers on longevity, structural integrity, and owner-focused design, creating yachts built to be enjoyed for generations.
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Amels
An Overview of the Shipyard's History, Specialty, Iconic Builds, and Partnerships
Amels
Shipyard History
Forming part of the Damen Group since 1991, Amels is a renowned luxury yacht builder based in Vlissingen, The Netherlands. Though founded in 1918, it wasn’t until the launch of 48m Lady Georgina (ex- Katalina) in 1982 that the builder established itself within the yachting community. Since then, Amels has built a reputation for exceptional custom-built superyachts with a large range of available models. The yard’s modern climate-controlled facility, with 204m and 145m dry docks, offers direct access to the North Sea.
In 2005, the Dutch shipyard set a notable milestone by introducing the Amels Limited Editions range. This popular design launched a concept that closes the gap between a custom build and a semi-custom yacht. All of Amels Limited Edition yachts are built on a proven platform, eliminating the anxiety of employing untested technology or design. It gives owners complete control over the exterior lines and the interior layout, making each yacht built in the Limited Editions line its own work of art. The pre-engineered platform also significantly cuts build time, another bonus for time-poor buyers looking to enjoy their new yacht but not compromise on quality.
Over the years, the Damen Group has further developed its yachting portfolio. New yachting products have included the Yacht Support range in 2008 and the explorer and expedition range named SeaXplorer in 2015. All of Damen Group's yachting products were united under the Damen Yachting division in 2019.
Amels is regarded as being among the few and most valued luxury yacht builders in the world. Their reputation, quality and build speed make Amels yachts a consistent favorite on the sales and charter market.
Shipyard Specialty
Amels is one of the few selected Northern European shipyards that builds high-end motor yachts. The superyachts delivered by Amels are semi-custom or full-custom yacht projects. The semi-custom option is based on the yard's Limited Editions model range.
Amels also excels in supplying full-custom projects based on the client's vision to create a one-off superyacht and experience the new build process. Amels yachts are made of steel hulls with a displacement hull configuration. The Dutch shipyard is committed to carrying out projects that meet the highest building standards and latest regulations.
Notable deliveries and models
The semi-custom Amels Limited Editions range was introduced in 2007 with Amels 171. Its 55m to 83m line-up later comprised six models, the Amels 180, Amels 200, Amels 206, Amels 220, Amels 242 and Amels 272, with award winners including the 55m Amels 180 AMIGOS and the 74m Amels 242 PLVS VLTRA.The Amels 272 is the largest platform in the range. Its first hull, MIRAGE (ex-HERE COMES THE SUN), was delivered at 83m in 2017 and extended to 89m in 2021, a rebuild that won Best Rebuilt Yacht at the 2022 World Superyacht Awards. The hybrid Amels 60 and Amels 80 followed: the 60m COME TOGETHER, delivered in 2022, was the first Amels 60, and the 79.8m PANGEA, the first Amels 80, received a Judges’ Commendation at the 2026 World Superyacht Awards.
Alongside the Limited Editions, Amels builds one-off Full Custom superyachts around each owner’s brief. These include the 78m MONTKAJ, 75.5m BOADICEA, 74.5m LADY E, 73.7m ILONA and 61.5m CALYPSO, as well as the 120m Project Tanzanite, the largest yacht Amels had built at the time of her launch.
Design collaborations on models and projects
For the original Amels Limited Editions range, Amels collaborated with renowned British yacht designer Tim Heywood, who created the exterior designs. For the Amels 60 and Amels 80 series, Damen Yachting appointed Norwegian superyacht designer Espen Øino to develop the exterior styling, and his partnership with the yard extends to Full Custom projects including Project Tanzanite and the 77.8m ENERGY. The strength of this collaboration is best captured by COME TOGETHER, which pairs Øino’s exterior with a Winch Design interior and won both a World Superyacht Award and an International Superyacht Society Award in 2023, with judges singling out how the interior blended with the yacht’s angular architecture. The 60m ENTOURAGE, the second Amels 60, with interiors by Burdifilek, won Best Interior Design at the 2024 BOAT Design & Innovation Awards and a World Superyacht Award the same year.
For both interior and exterior styling, Amels has worked with a number of international designers, appointed either by the shipyard or directly by clients, including Terence Disdale, Donald Starkey, Michael Leach, Jack Hargrave, Diana Yacht Design, Harrison Eidsgaard, Laura Sessa, whose Amels work includes the multi-award-winning 62.4m MADAME KATE, honored for her interior at the 2015 Monaco Yacht Show, and Zuretti Design, the studio behind the interiors of ENERGY and Project Tanzanite.
IYC has extensive experience and knowledge of Amels-built yachts and can provide advice on model types and brokerage yachts.