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82m Abeking Kibo Sold and Renamed Grace | Superyacht News

82m Abeking Kibo Sold and Renamed Grace | Superyacht News

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Octombrie 02, 2025

Follow Grace’s latest milestones to assess its value for owners and investors. The 82m Abeking Kibo was launched into service, and recent transfers under a new brand signal a continuation of its career under Grace. This move preserves its distinctive profile while aligning it with the expectations of a demanding charter and private-use market.

From the construction perspective, observers note how the vessel incorporates robust hull blocks and panel sheets that support its impressive tonnage. The design, with a brand identity integrated into exterior lines, shows how the project spans blocks and sheets while leveraging longevity and performance. The layout allows ample volume for tenders, guest spaces, and crew, and the hull is designed to minimize fuel burn under varying load conditions.

Under the new ownership, the contract terms focus on a smooth operation, with systems that incorporate advanced propulsion and navigation packages that allow efficient fuel management. Grace’s tonnage and form represents a stable platform for charter and private use, while the brand strategy remains a key factor for insurers and managers. The contract also covers maintenance windows, surveys, and upgrade cycles that support the continuation of its performance.

For readers tracking the market, the sale demonstrates liquidity in the 80+ metre segment and highlights how brands and collaborations shape value. The Grace rename aligns with a refreshed identity and a documented contract path that supports ongoing maintenance, refit planning, and port calls under its new flag.

In practice, buyers and managers should verify the flag state, registry, and class certificates to confirm ready status and ensure uninterrupted operations, with a focus on fuel system updates and the maintenance of critical systems under warranty windows.

82m Abeking Kibo Sold and Renamed Grace: Superyacht News

Asking for a firm timeline helps you align a potential sailing window and validate the luxury features; the packet states the latest survey, status of all machinery, and any planned refits. The information set should clearly describe the distinctive design language, the generous decks, and the interior volume that supports flexible layouts for entertaining and quiet cruising.

Grace preserves a distinctive 82-meter silhouette with a clean hull, long spans, and a thoughtful arrangement of decks and blocks between the main and upper levels. Gran detailing on exterior elements contrasts with glass-heavy interiors, while side galleries and the spacing of living areas create practical flow for guests and crew. This setup reinforces a high level of comfort without compromising performance when the sailing season returns.

Aspect Details
Original name Kibo
Current name Grace
Lungime 82 m
Constructor Abeking & Rasmussen
Status Sold
New owner undisclosed
Gross tonnage not disclosed
Construction Completed
Model / Initiative Continuation of luxury design language; model spans multiple decks

In market context, Grace sits alongside other leader yachts in discussions about efficiency and maintenance. Tankoa projects often get cited as benchmarks in modular layouts, and Grace stands apart with a tailored side concept that emphasizes guest comfort and crew practicality. Buyers should review the overall program, being attentive to refurbishment timelines, and consider how ongoing maintenance supports a long-term luxury experience, with an eye to reducing operating costs without sacrificing safety or performance.

Sale and Renaming: Practical Details for Owners, Brokers, and Guests

Finalise title transfer and tax clearance before listing; assemble a complete assets dossier for owners and buyers, including ownership sheets, registration documents, maintenance logs, and the latest survey. This plan will speed closing and reduce risk.

Set the sale framework early: confirm the gross value, define escrow terms, signal the transfer under the flag, and align on approximately a million-dollar asking price with independent appraisals and recent construction milestones. This assessment also covers worlds and shipyards to guide buyers and brokers.

Plan the renaming with precision: verify the new name with the registry, update AIS and insurance, refresh logs on decks and sail, and ensure the design is designed to align with artemis and other brands in luxury markets.

Coordinate the side team: appoint a single owners-side contact to work with brokers, shipyards, and crew; maintain clear channels for showings and guest experiences to minimize disruption.

Gather documentation and records: construction history, major refits, and decks renovations; provide a clear chain of title, port state control records, and compliance checks.

Logistics and transition: plan the move with professional tugs and experienced crew, arrange secure storage for spares and sheets, and schedule a short, clean handover that preserves guest comfort. gran plan detail supports a smooth handover.

Market positioning and continuation: highlight artemis partnerships if applicable, present the yacht’s forte in offshore operations, and map potential buyers across worlds, spans, blocks, and shipyards; emphasize brands and luxury capabilities that will attract affluent buyers.

Sale timeline, closing date, and delivery schedule

Set the closing date within two weeks after the final LOI to lock the deal and prevent scope drift. This keeps the process tight and reduces risk of late changes to sheets and documentation. This approach aligns with best practices for high-end superyachts, ensuring buyer and seller start the delivery phase on a shared page.

The sale timeline comprises three core phases: due diligence, contract finalization, and transfer logistics. Approximately four to six weeks are allocated to due diligence, during which the buyer reviews hull data, tonnage verification, flag state clearance, insurance sheets, and any encumbrance records. Between the seller and buyer, a dedicated point of contact coordinates access to the decks, hull, and systems data, while the yard prepares preliminary notices to the owners and flag state. This framework mirrors practices designed for 50-meter superyachts, while this vessel remains approximately 82 meters.

Contract finalization follows within two to four weeks, with escrow arrangements, payment milestones, and a formal closing plan. The plan requires the buyer to provide funds or a strongly backed bank instruction and the seller to issue a clean title and voyage data sheets. The closing date aligns with the yard schedule to avoid idle time for the hull and decks, while the ronduite system and winches are prepared for handover, and the process respects flag-state and ship registry states.

Delivery schedule centers on a clean handover. The yard manages five turnkey packages and coordinates with huisman equipment for crane tests and deck systems. This schedule allows buyers to align financing, inspections, and voyage planning. The target delivery window is approximately eight to twelve weeks after closing, subject to weather and lead times. Handover includes final acceptance sheets, warranty transfer, and flag-state documentation, with a smooth handover under the hull and decks from the yard to the owner, across the area of operations between ports and during in-water trials in the worlds market.

New owner identification, nationality, and registration implications

Register the Grace under the new owner’s nationality and update flag state records, the registry, and classification society immediately; confirm the ultimate beneficial owner and the corporate chain to avoid gaps in liability, insurance, and operations.

  1. New owner identification: Identify the owners and ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) and any intermediaries, then map the ownership between individuals and corporate entities. Maintain an unstayed, auditable chain of title that is accessible to flag authorities, insurers, and lenders throughout the transition. This process feels straightforward when you keep a single source of truth and share it with all involved parties.
  2. Documentation and records: Collect board resolutions, share registers, and trusts or nominees; ensure these records are updated and consistent, with cross-checks against registry data to reduce discrepancies. Keep everything clear for ongoing due diligence and audits.
  3. Nationality and flag alignment: Decide the flag state under which the vessel will be registered that best matches the owner’s domicile and tax position. The nationality influences crew requirements, taxation, and insurance terms; regulatory requirements require precise documentation, which aimed to minimize delays during inspections and charter operations.
  4. Registration implications tied to tonnage and class: Verify the declared tonnage and hull data; ensure the registration category reflects the vessel’s tonnage class and that certificates match the latest survey. For a luxury marine asset with a value in the tens of million, precise data matters for insurance, mortgages, and port dues.
  5. Latest model and design lineage: The latest model, designed with a ronduite initiative, along with vollenhove design principles, supports standardized data across brands and registries. This allows smoother data sharing with banks, insurers, and the flag state, and it helps on the side of cross-border operations.
  6. Brand and data continuity: If ownership sits along with brand sponsorships, maintain continuation plans and confirm approvals with the brands; this reduces asking questions from agents and regulators and keeps the ownership structure aligned with cross-border operations.
  7. Ongoing compliance and monitoring: Establish a cadence for periodic reviews of registry, classification, tax, and crew records; throughout the yacht’s life, this prevents unstayed gaps and supports seamless operation in the luxury marine market.

Renaming steps: from Kibo to Grace, flag and registry changes

Renaming steps: from Kibo to Grace, flag and registry changes

File the name change with the flag state and the vessel registry now to ensure Grace is officially recognized; as stated by authorities, this step will prevent gaps in documentation and port clearances.

Choose a flag that aligns with the owners’ operating plan, preferably one with straightforward compliance and favorable crewing rules, then update the contract with the registry agent; this approach feels practical and reduces risk.

Coordinate the renaming ceremony and hull repaint; replace the side name markings and ensure the call sign, IMO, and AIS data reflect Grace across the latest luxury yachts databases.

From acquisition to operation, the rename represents a continuation along the vessel’s model; the tonnage profile remains consistent, and the change spans the registry across maritime records.

Throughout the process, owners will operate with a clear plan, being guided by contract terms and sailing schedules; Artemis supports compliance and coordination.

Finalize the process by updating all registries and shipping databases; notify captains and crew to prevent confusion, and attach a 50-meter designed reference for ongoing records.

Post-sale specs and refit status

Schedule a focused, independent survey within six weeks to verify post-sale specs and to define the refit scope.

Current post-sale specs place Grace at 82 m in length, with a gross tonnage around 3,100 GT, and a range of roughly 5,500 nm at 12 knots. The yacht was launched in the early 2010s and built with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, construction aligned with long-range superyachts in this size class.

The vessel offers five decks to balance guest spaces with crew areas, including a redesigned main deck for suites, a refreshed beach club on the lower level, and a sun deck that accommodates a spa and gym. The refit will adjust circulation along the decks to improve flow and enable better hosting of guests during long passages.

The refit scope covers exterior repaint with UV-resistant coatings, updates to electrical and mechanical systems, and the replacement of aging pumps and valves. A stabilization and power package from Huisman will be integrated where feasible, aiming to improve underway comfort and offshore handling without compromising existing performance targets.

Propulsion and power options will preserve the current engines while exploring upgrades to higher-efficiency units from leading brands, reducing fuel burn and extending range. The electrical backbone will receive modernization to support guest spaces, climate control, and media systems with improved reliability.

The interior remains a custom project, led by a contemporary designer. The ethereal ambience combines soft, natural palettes with architectural lighting and seamless transitions between spaces, while preserving the yacht’s iconic profile and timeless character. The designer represents a balance between luxury refinement and practical operation for long voyages along diverse itineraries.

For structural enhancements, the plan considers ronduite-grade components and selective collaboration with Tankoa for modules that align with the existing hull form. Coordination with Tankoa and the main yard will keep the schedule intact, supported by Huisman for lifting and equipment integration to ensure precise installation of new hardware.

Operationally, the sale timeline targets milestone completion mid-year, with the vessel remaining available at the appointed yard during essential works. A clean data package–survey history, maintenance logs, and as-built drawings–will accompany the handover to support a smooth transition between owners and crews.

From a market perspective, Grace will stand alongside latest yachts in the offshore segment, offering a clear value proposition through a refreshed exterior, a refined interior, and long-range performance. The refit enhances its standing within the superyachts segment, delivering a highly capable platform for clients seeking a bespoke, ready-to-sail 82 m vessel along the brands spectrum.