What ABEKING & RASMUSSEN does

Abeking & Rasmussen (A&R) is a family-owned German shipyard founded in 1907 and headquartered in Lemwerder on the Weser River. The company designs and constructs custom superyachts ranging from 40m to 118m+, naval vessels (minehunters, hydrographic ships), and special vessels (pilot tenders, multi-purpose and offshore wind vessels). Its principal technical differentiator is the proprietary SWATH@A&R (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) platform, in active use since 1999 with nearly 30 vessels delivered, which reportedly reduces roll motion by up to 75% versus conventional hulls and enables operations in seas up to 6 meters. A&R also offers a complementary SWASH@A&R hull form for sub-25m vessels, diesel-electric pod propulsion designed as 'future-fuel' ready, and notably was the first shipyard to receive Lloyd's Register approval for vessels running on Liquified Synthetic Methane (LSM) e-fuel.

A&R monetizes through three streams: (i) one-off new-build contracts for superyachts, naval vessels, and special vessels priced via bespoke quotations and recognized on delivery; (ii) refit and lifecycle services ranging from routine maintenance to multi-year hull extensions and full transformations; and (iii) design/engineering co-development, exemplified by the MUsE program with Fassmer for the German Navy. Customer mix is split between ultra-high-net-worth yacht owners and government clients including the German Navy, Indonesian Navy, the Dutch Pilotage Service (Nederlands Loodswezen), German Federal Waterway Authorities, and the Estonian Transport Administration. Marketing relies on direct enterprise sales via dedicated Sales Directors per division (Yacht, Navy, Special Vessels) plus annual presence at major exhibitions such as Monaco Yacht Show, EURONAVAL, SMM Hamburg, and Indo Defence.

The owner Hans Schaedla inherited the business in 2011 from Hermann Schaedla, who ran it for 50 years. Operational leadership rests with CEO Matthias Hellmann and COO Björn Schlücter (appointed June 2024 from Fassmer). In recent years the company has pursued a Porsche Consulting-led operational restructuring, completed ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certifications, and invested in additive manufacturing, future-fuel propulsion, and the ARUBY 70m series-yacht concept launched April 2026.

Name

ABEKING & RASMUSSEN

Legal name

ABEKING & RASMUSSEN Schiffs- und Yachtwerft GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://abeking.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1907

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Abeking & Rasmussen is a 118-year-old, family-owned German shipyard in Lemwerder building custom superyachts (40m-118m+), naval vessels, and SWATH-hull special vessels for wealthy private clients and government customers such as the German Navy, Indonesian Navy, and Dutch Pilotage Service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Superyacht and Naval Shipbuilding

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (3366), Boat Building (336612)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Superyacht & Megayacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Full-Custom Superyacht & Megayacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAB), Semi-Custom & Series Production Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAM), Luxury Yacht Tenders & Support Craft Manufacturing (IMAJAMAK), Heavy Lifting & Material Handling Infrastructure (Goliath Cranes, Jib Cranes, Hoists) (IMAJALAD)

Keywords

• Custom superyacht construction
• Naval vessel shipbuilding
• Ship refit services
• SWATH ship technology
• Specialized commercial vessels

Headquarters

HQ city

Lemwerder

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Superyacht Construction: Bespoke superyacht new builds ranging from 40m to 118m+ in length. Each vessel is custom-designed and constructed to individual owner specifications. Revenue recognized upon vessel delivery.
2. Refit & Services: Comprehensive maintenance, repair, and refit services for yachts, naval vessels, and special vessels. Includes spare parts supply and global deployment of service teams. Projects range from routine maintenance to major transformations.
3. Naval & Special Vessel Construction: Construction of minehunting vessels, hydrographic vessels, pilot tenders, offshore wind vessels, and multi-purpose government vessels. Often delivered through partnerships with other shipyards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Abeking & Rasmussen is a family-owned German shipyard (founded 1907) that designs and builds custom superyachts from 40m to 118m+, naval vessels (minehunters, hydrographic, patrol and support ships), and specialized commercial vessels (SWATH@A&R pilot tenders, multi-purpose workboats, offshore wind support vessels), underpinned by proprietary SWATH hull technology. The yard also operates a global refit and services business with a 500-person workforce, providing maintenance, modernization, and lifetime support for yachts, naval, and special vessels worldwide.

Product overview

Abeking & Rasmussen is a German shipyard founded in 1907, operating under four main business divisions: Yachts, Naval Vessels, Special Vessels, and Refit & Services. The company is a world leader in SWATH@A&R (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) technology for exceptional seakeeping. Product portfolio includes custom superyachts (40m-118m+), naval vessels (minehunters, hydrographic ships), special vessels (pilot tenders, multi-purpose vessels, offshore wind vessels), and the new ARUBY series yacht concept. The company offers comprehensive refit and maintenance services worldwide. Recent products include the 105m KRI Canopus hydro-oceanographic vessel for Indonesia and the 73m STARFIRE yacht refit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SWATH@A&R: Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull technology - innovative ship design providing exceptional stability and comfort in rough seas. A&R is the world market leader in this technology sector.
• SWASH@A&R

Products and services

• Custom Superyachts (40m to 118m+)
• Naval Vessels
• Special Vessels
• Refit & Services
• ARUBY Series Yacht Concept A 70-meter (approx. 1,770 GT) semi-custom series yacht concept bridging fully custom superyachts and efficient platforms, developed with Reymond Langton Design. Features diesel-electric propulsion with pod drives, five main engines (~650 kW each), 150 kWh battery storage for emission-free anchoring, cruising speed 12.5 knots and top speed 16 knots.
• 79.95m Motor Yacht (Construction No. 6516) A 79.95m motor yacht under construction (Project Number 6516), with design by a UK-based design office, including tenders, jetskis, and a modern cozy interior. Keel laying at G&K SteelCon in Stettin in November 2024.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 75% reduction in roll motion compared to conventional vessels
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FassmercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2024Strategic partnership between two family-owned German shipyards along the Weser River. Collaboration on MUsE (Mittlere Unterstützungseinheit) project for German Navy procurement. Joint project on 105m hydrographic vessel for Indonesian Navy. Fassmer handles design and construction while A&R manages customer requirements and final outfitting.
• Nederlands Loodswezen (Dutch Pilotage Service Organisation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 202420+ year relationship with the Dutch Pilotage Service Organisation. Currently building two new 25m SWATH@A&R pilot tender vessels. Previous vessels have proven essential for pilot transfer operations at the Steenbank station in the Scheldt river approach.
• PT Palindo MarineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndonesian shipyard that constructed the hull of KRI Canopus (936) for the Indonesian Navy. A&R handled final outfitting and sea trials at their Lemwerder facility in Germany.
• Arrow Yachts MonacominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMonaco-based yacht management company acting as owner representative on refit projects including the STARFIRE transformation. Provides comprehensive yacht management and construction oversight services.
• everwave GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial startup dedicated to removing plastic waste from rivers and oceans. A&R participated in development of HIVEX platform through trainee projects and ongoing cooperation with RWTH Aachen University.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Benetti: Italian superyacht builder part of Azimut-Benetti Group producing both custom and series motoryachts in the 30m-100m+ range. Closest semi-custom/series competitor to the ARUBY concept.
• Lürssen: German family-owned shipyard and the world's leading custom superyacht builder, also active in naval vessels. Directly comparable to A&R across custom yacht newbuilds, refits, and naval programs, with a similar Bremen-area heritage and German engineering positioning.
• Feadship: Dutch luxury yacht builder producing fully custom superyachts of comparable size (60m+). Competes head-to-head with A&R for the same HNW owner segment on craftsmanship, custom design, and refit quality.
• Oceanco: Netherlands-based custom superyacht builder specializing in 80m+ vessels with sustainability focus. Competes with A&R for ultra-large yacht clients and increasingly for tech-forward owners.
• Nobiskrug: German shipyard building custom superyachts and special vessels from Rendsburg. Similar segment overlap to A&R (custom yachts plus naval/special work), with comparable scale and customer base.
• Damen Shipyards: Dutch family-owned shipbuilder delivering naval, patrol, offshore, and specialized vessels worldwide. Direct overlap with A&R's Special Vessels and Navy divisions on patrol, hydrographic, and multi-purpose government vessels.
• Fassmer Shipyard: German family-owned shipyard and A&R's strategic partner on the MUsE project for the German Navy. Overlapping naval and special-vessel portfolio, including mine countermeasure and patrol boats.
• Blohm+Voss: Hamburg-based shipyard with legacy in naval surface combatants and luxury yachts (e.g. ECLIPSE). Historic peer of A&R across both naval refits and superyacht newbuilds in the German shipbuilding cluster.

Emerging players

• Royal Huisman: Dutch builder specializing in large custom sailing yachts and motoryachts. Comparable niche overlap with A&R's custom yacht division, particularly on bespoke sailing vessels (e.g. A&R's heritage with GERMANIA VI aluminium yachts).
• Heesen Yachts: Dutch builder of aluminum-hulled superyachts (50m-70m+) with a focus on fast displacement and hybrid propulsion. Comparable to A&R on yacht construction techniques, hybrid drivetrains, and selling into the same UHNWI segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abeking-rasmussen
• Instagraminstagram.com/abekingyachts
• Xx.com/abekingworld
• Facebookfacebook.com/abekingworld

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ABEKING & RASMUSSEN