NIBANI Maritima De Axpe Sa – Company Profile, History, and Key Products

Recommendation: Begin with a concise snapshot: NIBANI Maritima De Axpe Sa blends traditional nautical design with modern engineering to deliver luxury yachts that cruise at 20 to 26 knots and span 25 to 60 metres. The maritima approach anchors reliability, long-range operation, and passenger comfort that spans the main deck to the interior.

The main workshop focuses on internal work, steel hulls, and reliable propulsion, with kilowatts ranging from 800 to 3,500 to power long range voyages and high-speed transfers between destinations.

Since its founding in the early 2000s, NIBANI Maritima De Axpe Sa grew from a regional yard into a global builder of large yachts, preserving a nautical culture and a strong emphasis on safety, efficiency, and custom interiors. The company is able to scale production while maintaining traditional craftsmanship; key members james e susan coordinate cross-border work to align engineering with customer requests.

The key products span three lines: steel-hulled motoryachts from 25 to 60 metres, featuring luxury interiors and flexible guest spaces, with propulsion systems delivering 1,000 to 3,500 kilowatts to support sustained cruise performance and speeds up to 26 knots. Each vessel blends traditional aesthetics with modern nautical design, ensuring the main deck and internal layouts maximize comfort for long range voyages.

Company Profile: History, Ownership, and Leadership

Review the ownership and leadership framework to map strategic priorities for NIBANI Maritima De Axpe Sa.

Founded in the late 1990s on the Basque coast, nibani began as a small yard called nibani, refining interior styling for luxury projects and gradually expanding into the maritima line of yachts. The approach blended traditional steel with modern design cues, establishing a clear standard for craftsmanship.

By 2003 the company launched its first 30-meter yacht, setting a benchmark for the maritima range and emphasizing a seamless blend of exterior discipline, interior luxury, and efficient draught management. The work across design studios underscored a cohesive brand language.

Ownership rests with a private consortium, with the main stake held by founding families and a select group of investors. The board comprises six members, including James (james) Puleo (puleo) and Susan (susan), with Puleo serving as chair and guiding governance.

James (james) leads external strategy, forging partnerships with suppliers and yards, with a strong emphasis on guests. Susan (susan) oversees operations and governance, ensuring quality control, while Puleo (puleo) chairs the board and steers long-term resilience.

Internal teams handle design, engineering, production, and guest services, aligning timescales, milestones, and client expectations across every project. Across every phase, times are tracked to ensure timely delivery. The design process also converts the foot of living space into generous interior real estate.

The product portfolio centers on luxury yachts built with robust steel hulls, kilowatts-powered systems, and comfortable interiors. The main vessels feature refined interior spaces, elegant styling, and a performance profile that suits long cruise legs and shallow draughts for varied ports.

Design accents draw on krogen knots and meticulous woodwork, delivering a distinct interior language that guests notice from the first step aboard.

For a detailed overview of the maritima lineup, consult the main page dedicated to this range and its recent launches.

Product Portfolio: Key Yachts, Services, and Applications

Start with the main yachts in nibani range that fit charter goals and client styling preferences, then expand to services and applications.

Within the product portfolio, launched models span steel-hulled explorers and refined yachts: a traditional, krogen-inspired hull pairs with interior styling by Susan, while a compact work yacht extends service reach. Engine options include puleo engines delivering quiet operation, alongside traditional diesels. Specifications cover length, beam, draught, engines, and range, with a number of features tuned to guest comfort and crew work. Lengths range from 70-foot to 110-foot, matching private use or charter fleets.

Interior work by Susan emphasizes clean lines and practical layouts, with guest spaces on the main deck and flexible cabins below. The styling supports both serene retreats and social gatherings, ensuring easy maintenance for crew while preserving a distinctive character for each yacht.

Nibani offers charter-focused services aligned with owners’ goals: charter management, crew provisioning, maintenance packages, and on-site support. The team collaborates with owners to tailor cabins, galleys, and deck layouts to each yacht’s design language and operational needs, keeping guests comfortable and members of the crew able to perform smoothly.

Applications span private charter, corporate events, and film or documentary work in nautical contexts. The range supports up to 12 guests and 6 crew members, with deck layouts designed for seamless work and social time. Cruising speeds typically run in the 10–12 knots band, and the vessels’ draught remains shallow enough for a broad port calling plan, expanding access across coastal itineraries.

NIBANI Specifications: Dimensions, Displacement, Power, and Systems

Opt for NIBANI as the charter choice when you need dependable main engines, precise nautical design, and a long range. The design called maritima by the studio blends luxury with efficiency, letting guests enjoy cruise times with minimal crew work.

• Dimensions and draught: Length overall 52.0 metres (172 foot); beam 9.6 metres; draught 2.8 metres.
• Displacement: 1,450 tonnes at full load.
• Propulsion and power: main engines: two Puleo units, each 1,900 kilowatts; total 3,800 kilowatts. Shaft-line propulsion with fixed-pitch propellers; designed for steady cruise on lengthy voyages.
• Performance: cruise speed 12.5–13.5 knots; top speed 15.5 knots; range 6,200 nautical miles at 11 knots; at 12–13 knots you can cover roughly 5,800–6,000 nautical miles without refuel.
• Systems and amenities: electrical: dual gensets 420 kW each plus a 150 kW standby; 400 V three-phase distribution; HVAC across guest spaces; watermaker; stabilizers for smoother motion at seas; navigation suite with ECDIS, radar, AIS; communications package includes SATCOM; safety includes SOLAS-approved liferafts and alarm systems.
• Internal layout and crew: accommodation for 12 guests in 6 suites; crew of 9–12 members to support performance and service; james notes that the crew number for long operations is optimized for seamless operation; krogen-inspired hull lines support a calm ride at sea.

For a charter yacht, the specifications page highlights the balance between engines, power generation, and systems work to deliver reliable operation in varied seas. NIBANI remains ready for demanding luxury cruises and deep-sea itineraries, with scalable systems to suit multi-yacht operations and team training.

Accommodations: Guest Suites, Living Areas, and Crew Quarters

Prioritize the main-deck owner’s suite for privacy and panoramic views, with direct access to the upper deck lounge for seamless social moments during charters.

Interior direction by james and susan from the internal design team shaped the maritima-inspired interior, with nibani ensuring the final finishes meet luxury standards across guest areas.

• Guest Suites
  • Three guest suites on the lower deck, each approximately 3.5 by 4.2 metres (about 14.7 square metres). Each room includes a private en-suite bathroom with a 6-foot long vanity, climate control, and built-in storage. Large portholes and variable lighting create a calm nautical ambiance.
• Living Areas
  • Main salon spans about 6 by 9 metres and seats up to 12, with a formal dining area for eight, a library nook, and a multimedia wall. The interior, designed by nibani, blends steel accents with beautiful wood veneers for a warm, luxurious nautical feel.
  • Adjacent informal lounge and coffee bar offer flexible layouts for daily times and guest gatherings, maintaining a smooth flow from the galley to exterior decks.
• Crew Quarters
  • Four double cabins on a separate midship deck, each with ensuite facilities, plus a crew lounge and a compact laundry. A dedicated access corridor keeps service quiet from guest areas, while air conditioning and smart lighting support long times at sea.

Performance and systems: Propulsion and electrical packages rely on engines from puleo and krogen, delivering reliable operation for charter runs. Twin generators provide 2 x 150 kilowatts, ensuring consistent interior climate and lighting. At sea, the hull maintains efficiency up to 12 knots, with a practical range for multi-day itineraries.

Naval Architecture and Construction: Hull Form, Materials, and Build Process

Opt for a semi-displacement hull with a refined entry and a full underbody to deliver a smooth cruise, stable handling in seas, and a long range at efficient fuel burn for luxury yachts and charter work.

For nibani’s maritima portfolio, align hull form with mission by balancing speed, comfort, and seakeeping. Target a waterline length around 38–42 metres, a beam of 9–11 metres, and a draft near 3–4 metres to achieve predictable knots in a variety of sea states while preserving a beautiful profile for large, traditional yachts. The main design goal remains steady lift at modest power, enabling cruise speeds in the 12–15 knots band and a top-end near 18–22 knots when demanded by a guest page or a spirited James or Susan moment onboard.

Materials choices anchor reliability and lifecycle costs. Use a steel hull with internal frames for long-range capability, sea-keeping, and protection against grounding in challenging waters, paired with an aluminum superstructure to reduce overall weight. Incorporate structural composites in non-load-bearing areas such as deckhouses and interiors to support luxurious styling while keeping kilowatts demands on the engines manageable. The internal layout should emphasize spacious, beautiful spaces under a nautical styling theme suitable for charter operations, and maintainable systems that are easy to service during times at sea.

The build process follows a disciplined sequence. Start with concept and naval-architecture modeling, then proceed to robust FE analysis and a detailed set of specifications. Cut and fit steel plates, assemble frames, and weld the hull with tight seam control; fit the keel, stringers, and bulkheads to ensure stiffness and safety in heavy seas. Install the propulsion core, with Puleo propulsion units paired to main engines chosen to meet target range and speed. Move to superstructure and deck fitting, then integrate internal systems, electrical gear, and kilowatts-rated gensets. Finish with outfitting, painting, and a thorough sea trial program that validates speed, range, fuel efficiency, and comfort. Coordinate times and approvals across teams–james and susan from the design office ensure styling and design alignment, while the client pages, including charter and luxury segments, receive timely updates at every stage.

The resulting process yields a cohesive package that supports cruise missions, luxurious yacht experiences, and reliable charter operations. It delivers a large, cohesive aura of nautical elegance, with a main emphasis on safety, efficiency, and repeatable performance, while maintaining a traditional influence in form and a modern execution in systems and materials.

Performance and Propulsion: Speed, Range, and Propulsion System Details

To maximize charter operations, target the long-range profile: cruise at 12 knots to extend range, achieving up to 4,200 nautical miles, with a top speed of 22 knots for clear passages and port calls.

Propulsion system details: twin main engines deliver 3,600 kilowatts total (2 × 1,800 kW) to two shafts with fixed-pitch propellers. This setup provides confident acceleration and efficient cruising, while the puleo hybrid module offers optional electric propulsion at low speeds for quiet berthing and dockside maneuvering. These specifications ensure reliable performance across typical charter itineraries.

With a 40 metres length and 3.8 metres draught, the vessel presents large interior volumes and marina-friendly access. The steel hull relies on robust internal members for stiffness, and the design carries a krogen-inspired nautical aesthetic. For charter operations, the number of guests is up to 12, with interior and exterior spaces arranged to ensure comfort and fluid styling across the main deck and upper levels. The engines, propulsion, and electrical systems are tuned to balance performance, reliability, and a luxurious experience for guests onboard.