Fort Lauderdale, FL – 30 October, 2025 — The International Superyacht Society (ISS), the global voice of the large yacht industry, is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 ISS Design & Leadership Awards. This year’s gala marked the 35th anniversary of the International Superyacht Society, celebrating three and a half decades of recognizing achievement and excellence across both design and people awards. Recognized as one of the most prestigious honors in the superyacht sector, the awards celebrate innovation, craftsmanship, and excellence across sailing, motor, and refit categories.
The 2025 winners were revealed during the annual ISS Design & Leadership Gala, held on 29 October, 2025, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event brought together leading designers, builders, owners, and industry professionals from around the world to honor outstanding achievements in yacht design and leadership.
For more than three decades, the ISS Design & Leadership Awards have highlighted the very best in the superyacht industry, recognizing exceptional talent and advancing the standards of creativity, functionality, and innovation that define modern yacht design.
2025 ISS Design Award Winners
BEST IN SAIL
GALMA – Builder: Wally Yachts | Interior & Exterior Designer: Wally / Santa Maria Magnolfi | Naval Architect: Judel / Vrolijk & Co
The first in Wally’s new wallywind110 series, GALMA blends cutting-edge performance with sleek, minimalistic Italian design. Crafted from advanced carbon composite, she delivers exceptional speed and handling while offering a luxurious, open-plan interior that maximizes light and connection to the sea. Every detail reflects Wally’s signature ethos—innovation, elegance, and pure sailing pleasure. Judges praised GALMA as “everything Wally stands for in terms of design and styling”.
BEST IN MOTOR <300GT
TELLI – Builder: Custom Line | Interior Designer: ACPV Architects | Exterior Designer: Filippo Salvetti | Naval Architect: Ferretti Group
The new Custom Line Navetta 38 is a made-to-measure masterpiece blending refined contemporary design with advanced naval engineering. Exterior styling by Filippo Salvetti and interiors by ACPV Architects creates a seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces, while carefully designed guest and crew areas ensure privacy. Judges praised the yacht as a well-balanced combination of marine approach and sophisticated interiors. One judge highlighted it as a favourite exterior, applauding the seamless indoor-outdoor flow with clear separation between guest and crew areas, and recognizing its eco-friendly design.
BEST IN MOTOR 300–500GT
SPECIAL ONE – Builder: Royal Huisman | Interior, Exterior Designer & Naval Architect: Vripack Design
A true masterpiece, SPECIAL ONE embodies Royal Huisman’s reputation for uncompromising craftsmanship paired with Vripack’s visionary design. She seamlessly fuses cutting-edge engineering with timeless elegance, delivering outstanding performance, comfort, and style. The judges praised her as “a one-of-a-kind project combining performance and interior quality — simply unique”.
BEST IN MOTOR 1000–3000GT
PLATINUM – Builder: The Italian Sea Group | Interior Designer: Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design | Exterior Designer: Lobanov Design | Naval Architect: The Italian Sea Group / Azure – Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
Platinum exemplifies the pinnacle of luxury yacht craftsmanship. Every detail combines elegance, practicality, and meticulous design, making Platinum both a symbol of luxury and a highly livable, thoughtfully planned yacht. Judges praised Platinum for its balanced exterior lines with deep research in interior materials and details and recognized it as the best exterior, with generous outdoor living areas that enhance guest relaxation. They also highlighted the thoughtful cabin configuration, featuring a panoramic master suite, calling the yacht, “one of a kind, a project combining performance and interior quality”.
BEST IN REFIT
SOLAFIDE – Builder: Benetti | Refit Yard: IMS Shipyard | Interior Designer: Supernova Design Studio | Exterior Designer: Tommaso Spadolini | Naval Architect: Benetti / Tommaso Spadolini
Originally built in 1994, MY SOLAFIDE underwent a thoughtful refit blending respect for her history with modern and classic design. Key upgrades include a panoramic Main Deck dining area, a new VIP cabin, adaptable Upper Deck lounge, and refined lighting design to create versatile moods. The refit creates a harmonious connection between interior and exterior, maximizing luxury, usability, and sea views. Judges commended the project as a great renovation, noting its airy and luxurious feeling with balanced elegance and a contemporary look.
BEST INTERIOR
JAS – Builder: The Italian Sea Group | Interior Designer: Mark Berryman Design
The interiors, designed by Mark Berryman Design and brought to life by CELI 1920, The Italian Sea Group’s in-house joinery unit, showcase exceptional artisanal quality. Warm European oak, whitewashed oak, travertine stone, natural leathers, and bamboo are meticulously crafted into textured, tactile surfaces and refined furniture. Handcrafted routered panels, custom cabinetry, and bespoke stone basins reflect masterful craftsmanship, perfectly balancing technical skill with aesthetic elegance. From decorative ceiling details to integrated planters on custom outdoor furniture, every element is created with precision and passion—a true testament to the art of interior design on the water.
YACHT OF THE YEAR
KISMET – Builder: Lürssen | Interior Designer: Reymond Langton Design| Exterior Designer: Nuvolari Lenard | Naval Architect: Lürssen
BRAVO ZULU
Lürssen
The International Superyacht Society proudly presents the Bravo Zulu – “Well Done” Award to Lürssen, honoring an extraordinary 150 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and leadership in yacht building. Since its founding in 1875, Lürssen has set the global standard for excellence, combining visionary design with engineering mastery to create some of the world’s most iconic superyachts.
Awards of Distinction
DISTINGUISHED CREW AWARD
Captain Liam Devlin
The ISS Distinguished Crew Award honors Captain Liam Devlin of M/Y Unbridled for his leadership in creating open, honest conversations within the yachting community. Through his commitment to fostering a supportive environment and addressing real issues in real time, Captain Liam exemplifies the spirit of integrity, empathy, and engagement that uplifts the entire industry.
EXCELLENCE IN IMPROVING YACHTING
MPAConnect Network
The MPAConnect network is a non-profit initiative that links the managers of 40 marine national parks in 18 Caribbean countries and territories. The network enables marine managers to cooperate across borders, to learn together, to share experiences and find support for their vital marine conservation work. They work hand-in-hand with park managers on the frontlines of marine conservation. The network is tackling marine conservation challenges and together the members are working to ensure environmental excellence for yachting in the Caribbean.
ARTISAN AWARD
Daniel Wegner, Lürssen Yacht Refit & Services
The ISS Artisan Award honors Daniel Wegner of Lürssen Yacht Refit & Services Hamburg for his exceptional technical expertise and dedication to innovation in yacht refit and conversion. Renowned for his mastery of machinery and electrical upgrades, Daniel combines deep theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience to deliver tailored, future-ready solutions.
EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGY
Modular Nuclear Reactor Concept
Espen Øino International in collaboration with Emerald Nuclear & PTT Nuclear Energy Systems
Unveiled by Espen Øino at the Monaco Yacht Show, the Modular Nuclear Reactor Concept explores how next-generation nuclear technologies could redefine the future of yachting. Developed in collaboration with Emerald Nuclear and Peregrine Turbine Technologies, this 120-meter concept demonstrates how advanced energy systems can be seamlessly integrated to deliver extended range, zero-emission operation and true energy independence – reshaping the environmental footprint and the wider maritime industry.
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Rose Damen, Damen Yachting
Congratulations to Rose Damen, Managing Director of Damen Yachting, on receiving the 2025 ISS Leadership Award. A third-generation shareholder of Damen Shipyards Group, Rose is celebrated for her vision, innovation, and advocacy for sustainability and diversity in yachting. The award acknowledges her role in shaping the future of the industry and recognizes the dedication of the Damen Yachting team who share this achievement.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Luca Bassani, Wally Yachts
The ISS proudly presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Luca Bassani, Founder and President of Wally, in recognition of his visionary contributions to yacht design and innovation. Bassani’s creative spirit and pursuit of perfection have redefined modern yachting, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire the industry worldwide.
View official event photography here.
2025 ISS Design Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Robb Report
Gold Sponsors
AkzoNobel, Cayman Islands Shipping Registry, Informa, Naiad Dynamics, Oceanco, Quantum Marine Stabilizers,
Suntex Marinas, Wright Maritime Group, YATCO
Silver Sponsors
Allied Marine, DYT Yacht Transport, Moore & Company
Bronze Sponsors
Burger Boat Company, Burgess, Design Asset Management, Hill Robinson, Robert Allen Law, Pinmar,
Tahiti Private Expeditions, Blue Oceans Yachting
About the International Superyacht Society (ISS)
The ISS represents the global yachting industry, with a mission to build alliances worldwide, recognize achievements, and strengthen the industry through advocacy and education. As an international organization, ISS is dedicated to fostering excellence and innovation across all sectors of the superyacht community.
Contacts
International Superyacht Society
Vanessa Stuart, info@superyachtsociety.org
Maggie McDonald, maggie@superyachtsociety.org
Recent Comments