Imagine starting your mornings on a private terrace overlooking the sea, working from your onboard office as the sun rises over calm waters, exercising in your own gym designed to your every need, or even teeing off from the aft deck with the horizon as your backdrop.
Whatever you dream of, a yacht can be shaped entirely around your vision, designed for your way of living and built to stand as a lasting reflection of your taste, your values and the legacy you wish to leave at sea. Building a superyacht is one of the most exciting and complex journeys a yacht owner can embark on. Beyond the dream and design lies a process requiring technical precision, vision and trust.
With more clients in Asia now looking to create something truly their own, often exploring whether to stay below or exceed the 500GT threshold, I sat down with Monaco-based Harald Van Exem (Executive VP & Director Yacht Services), Jan Jaap Minnema (Sales Broker) and Laurent Bredy (Head of Refit and New Build Project Management) to uncover how Fraser helps transform vision into reality.
Harald Van Exem, Executive VP & Director Yacht Services, Fraser
Harald and Jan Jaap, what makes building a yacht such a unique experience compared to buying one on the brokerage market?
Harald: Every yacht has its own identity. Some layout and functionalities will be essential for one owner but aren’t relevant to another. There are always some compromises to be made to achieve the best fit, balancing the practical operational needs with the physical limitations of a seaworthy yacht, allowing an owner to travel those regions they wish to explore with family and friends in comfort.
Jan Jaap: Building a yacht is a personal adventure. You shape every detail and watch your vision come to life. It’s a creative process filled with anticipation, pride and the thrill of seeing your ideas take shape on the water. For those who want something unique but with a faster turnaround, many shipyards offer semi-custom builds – proven platforms that can be tailored in layout, design and finish. This option shortens delivery time, reduces technical complexity and keeps costs under control.
Buying on the brokerage market offers a different kind of joy – the instant satisfaction of stepping aboard and setting sail right away. It’s practical, efficient and a great way to enjoy yachting without the wait. Whether you build from scratch, go semi-custom or find your dream yacht on the brokerage market, the reward is the same: the freedom, comfort and pure pleasure of life at sea.
Jan Jaap Minnema, Sales Broker, Fraser
Laurent, at what stage should an owner contact Fraser if they’re considering a new build?
Laurent: The earlier, the better. Ideally, the owner should contact Fraser right at the outset, when the project is still just an idea. This allows our Project Management team to play a key role from day one to assist the owner in defining the concept, shape the brief for the builder, and translate their vision into a coherent technical and operational project.
We help guide the selection of the most suitable designer, naval architect and shipyard, ensuring they’re aligned with the owner’s expectations in terms of style, performance and budget. Importantly, we’re also there to support the pre-contract stage. Before any shipyard agreement is signed, our team ensures that the technical specification, general arrangement and key terms truly reflect the owner’s needs and leave no grey areas. That’s how we safeguard the owner’s interest throughout the build.
Many first-time builders ask about yacht size and the 500GT threshold. Why is that such an important decision?
Laurent: The 500GT threshold is a key regulatory cutoff. Once a yacht reaches 500 gross tonnes, it triggers more stringent requirements structurally, mechanically and in terms of safety systems. That includes additional fire protection, escape routes, life-saving appliances and class oversight.
Laurent Bredy, Head of Refit and New Build Project Management, Fraser
It also impacts manning, flag compliance and survey regimes. It’s not just a matter of size; it defines the entire technical framework the yacht must comply with. This has a significant impact on building schedule, cost and operational costs.
Jan Jaap: The 500GT threshold is a major factor in yacht design. It defines internal volume, not weight, and determines how the yacht is regulated. Staying under 500GT allows greater freedom in layout and styling, simpler systems, and smaller crews, often resulting in a more relaxed, private feel.
Above 500GT, regulations tighten, requiring certified officers, more safety equipment, and structured operations. The payoff is more interior space and amenities, but also higher complexity and cost. In short, it’s a balance between design freedom, comfort and operational demands.
Below 500 GT: Simpler operations, smaller crew (often 9-12), more relaxed private use, lower running costs.
Above 500 GT: More space, higher ceilings, bigger beach clubs, extra guest cabins, but also higher operating expenses and stricter manning standards (sometimes up to 15-18 crew).
Fraser managed the build of the 47m ArtExplorer
As a broker accompanying clients through this journey, what’s your role once the build begins?
Jan Jaap: Once the construction contract is signed, the yacht broker’s job shifts from dealmaker to coordinator. Throughout the build, the broker acts as the link between the client, the shipyard, the project manager, designers and other specialists.
Regular visits to the yard and design offices keep the broker close to the action, ensuring progress stays true to the client’s vision, budget and schedule. With a helicopter view of the entire project, the broker translates technical updates into clear information and helps keep communication smooth and efficient. In short, the broker makes sure everyone stays aligned and the experience remains as enjoyable as the moment the yacht first touches the water.
Fraser has been involved in some remarkable projects. Could you share one that stands out? Laurent: It’s difficult to name just one. Every project is a bit like a child. We grow with it from concept to delivery, and there’s always pride in seeing it take to sea, whatever its size.
The world’s largest sailing catamaran, ArtExplorer doubles as a floating art gallery
That said, ArtExplorer was a recent standout. Not because of her size but because of her complexity and originality. She’s a yacht but also a floating exhibition space. Blending the luxury and technical standards of a large sailing yacht with the spatial and environmental demands of a gallery was a unique challenge.
Installing such a massive rig and mast system on a catamaran of this scale added yet another layer of complexity. It pushed us to innovate, coordinate across disciplines, and approach problem-solving with fresh eyes. Demanding, yes, but profoundly rewarding, and a project that taught us a great deal.
Harald: We have been blessed to work with visionary clients who dare to challenge the designers and builders to achieve their dreams. Being part of this development – from initial thought into designer discussions, yard selection, build process, all the way into delivery followed by achieving the purpose – is the most rewarding.
As well as the exterior and interior design, owners should consider the level of crew service required
We converted an offshore support vessel into a unique exploration platform that included submarines, an ROV, a helicopter, dry labs, wet labs, media room and so on. This process was followed by seeing the vessel operate in exceptional environments and perform groundbreaking research – this is very rewarding. This all started from a dream of one person.
Jan Jaap: One of the true milestones in my career was being involved in the creation of the largest yacht ever built in China, an 89m project that started from a blank sheet of paper. It was a pioneering effort, not just in size but in proving that world-class quality can be achieved in Asia when managed with the same precision and standards as the finest European shipyards.
Jan Jaap Minnema sold the 89m Illusion and oversaw the build process in northern China with the client
It was also a true pleasure to work in Asia, collaborating closely with the shipyard and a group of dedicated, talented professionals who shared the same passion for excellence. The project became a benchmark for what’s possible in the region and marked a real shift in how Asian yacht construction is viewed globally.
The yacht was sold twice during her build, a clear sign of the confidence and excitement she inspired. For me, it was more than just a project; it was proof that innovation, teamwork and high standards know no geographical boundaries.
What advice would you give to a client in Asia considering their first new build?
Harald: Don’t rush the process. Careful planning, preparation and fine-tuning of the specifications all take time, but this is time well spent and will give returns both in a smoother build process as well as cost optimisation. Have an expert on your side to avoid pain points and ensure the process is enjoyable.
Formerly Illusion and Illusion Plus, the 89m China-built motoryacht is now named Eternal Tsingshan
Jan Jaap: For a first-time new build client in Asia, my advice is to take your time and build the right team around you. A trusted broker and project manager will guide you through the process and protect your interests. If you’ve spent time chartering and know what you like, you’re already ahead. But even then, an in-depth understanding of the build process is key. A new build is an amazing journey. The more prepared and well-advised you are, the smoother and more rewarding it will be.
If someone is considering building their first yacht, at what budget level does it make sense to start?
Laurent: It’s not only a question of budget, although of course, that plays its part. The real deciding factors are experience, involvement and the type of yachting lifestyle one wishes to pursue. For a first-time owner, starting with a semi-custom or production yacht, typically below the 499GT threshold, is often the most rewarding approach.
These vessels are generally based on proven platforms and pre-engineered configurations, which greatly simplify the decision-making process and reduce build time. This allows the owner to focus on the enjoyable part such as selecting layouts, materials and design features, without being overwhelmed by the complexity of a full custom project.
Eternal Tsingshan
A larger, fully custom yacht is an entirely different journey. It offers absolute freedom of design, but also demands significant owner input, time and technical understanding. Without guidance, even experienced owners can find themselves adrift in a sea of decisions. And that’s when a good project management team becomes not just useful, but indispensable!
Ultimately, it’s less about the number on the budget line and more about how one wants to experience the process of building and owning a yacht.
Are you seeing any specific design trends or cultural preferences from Asian clients when it comes to new builds?
Jan Jaap: From a broker’s perspective, Asian clients are becoming more confident and refined in their approach to yacht ownership. They want designs that blend international style with subtle cultural influences – elegant, modern but with a personal touch.
Eternal Tsingshan
There’s strong demand for flexible layouts suited to family life and entertaining, whether cruising in Asia, the Mediterranean or the Bahamas. Efficiency, low noise and sustainable technology are also high on the list, along with wellness areas and smart onboard systems. Overall, Asian clients are seeking yachts that reflect their lifestyle – sophisticated, versatile and comfortable wherever in the world they choose to cruise.
Once the yacht is delivered, how does Fraser continue supporting the owner through management, crew and charter?
Laurent: Fraser provides ongoing support well beyond delivery through an integrated Project Management and Yacht Management approach, ensuring the vessel’s smooth transition from construction to operational life.
This continuity is a key strength. The Project Manager who oversaw the build works hand-in-hand with the Technical and Safety Superintendent within Fraser’s management team. This ensures that all technical knowledge, documentation and operational insights gathered during construction are transferred directly into the yacht’s management phase.
Such a handover guarantees traceability and consistency in the technical oversight of the vessel, an undeniable advantage for warranty tracking, planned maintenance and long-term operational optimisation.
ArtExplorer
Furthermore, a newly delivered yacht is rarely ‘turnkey’. At delivery, many elements – such as final decorative outfitting, loose equipment, operational procedures, crew familiarisation, and certification – still require careful coordination.
Having the management team involved prior to and during delivery allows Fraser to anticipate and prepare these operational aspects early. The result is a far more efficient and seamless entry into service, minimising post-delivery delays and ensuring the yacht is ready for cruising, charter and owner use on schedule.
Through this combined structure, Fraser provides owners with a single, cohesive point of contact from shipyard to sea, covering every aspect of technical continuity, crew support and commercial operation.
Any final words for Yacht Style readers?
Harald: Building a yacht to your own personal criteria, capable of giving you those unique and precious enjoyment with friends and family, should be one of the best experiences in your life. It will take significant commitment, both in time and financial investment, but surrounded by the right team, it can be extremely rewarding.
Laura Verbrugge, Fraser Asia Manager
Laura: At Fraser, each new build is more than a project. It’s a personal creation, crafted for one owner and destined to carry their name, their spirit and their story across the seas.
Whether it’s a 45m displacement yacht or a 90m explorer, every remarkable build begins the same way: with a vision. But what turns that vision into a masterpiece is the collaboration, precision and passion behind it.
New build projects are more than technical achievements: they’re stories of trust, collaboration, and craftsmanship. From first sketch to maiden voyage, our experts ensure each stage is handled with precision and respect of the owner’s visions.
For owners in Asia, the message is clear: with the right guidance, building your own yacht isn’t just achievable, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences in yachting.
fraseryachts.com
