Jeff Bezos, Sergey Brin & others spent millions on European shipyards; US want them back
Wealthy American tech figures are shifting their yacht-building preferences from European shipyards to domestic manufacturers like Delta Marine. This move is driven by new hybrid-engine technology and legal advantages regarding U.S. coastwise passenger laws.
Why it matters
It reflects a broader trend of domestic industrial reshoring in the luxury goods sector and the adoption of sustainable maritime technology.
For decades, America’s wealthiest have turned to shipyards in Europe for their most extravagant yachts. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has commissioned the 127-meter Koru from Dutch builder Oceanco, while Apple co-founder Steve Jobs chose Feadship for Venus. Oracle’s Larry Ellison has also owned vessels from both Lürssen and Feadship. Whereas, Barry Diller’s Eos and Sergey Brin’s Dragonfly came from Lürssen and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been linked to Feadship’s Launchpad. According to a report by Luxury Launches, all this is said to change as a Seattle-based Delta Marine has entered into partnership with London’s Bannenberg & Rowell Design, the shipyard has unveiled a new family of hybrid superyachts ranging from 50 to 75 meters.
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