Malta continues to cement its reputation as a popular Mediterranean playground for the world’s ultra-wealthy, with billions of euros in superyachts dropping anchor on our shores in 2025 alone.

This week, two of the world’s most striking superyachts – Artefact and Vibrant Curiosity – were berthed side by side at the prestigious Grand Harbour Marina in Vittoriosa, a rare ad powerful showcase of engineering, luxury, and global entrepreneurial success in Malta’s historic maritime heart.

Combined, these two vessels are valued at over €300 million, owned by smartphone pioneer and co-founder of Blackberry Mike Lazaridis and German industrial magnate Reinhold Würth, respectively. Their arrival adds to a growing list of billionaire-owned superyachts choosing Malta as a port of call.

Artefact – The hybrid marvel of tomorrow

Built in 2020 by German shipyard Nobiskrug and crowned Motor Yacht of the Year in 2021, Artefact is an 80-metre symbol of futuristic design and sustainability. It is powered by a cutting-edge hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, augmented with solar panels and lithium batteries – making it approximately 30% more fuel-efficient than its peers.

Artefact’s standout features include:
– 70 tonnes of curved glass
– A dedicated Tai Chi room
– A private cinema
– A 14-seat “cosmic” dining table

Her owner, Mike Lazaridis, is the Canadian-Greek entrepreneur behind the BlackBerry smartphone and a trailblazer in the field of quantum computing. With an estimated personal net worth in the billions, Lazaridis’s choice of Malta as a yachting destination speaks volumes.

Vibrant Curiosity – A floating palace of precision

Launched in 2009 by Dutch builders Oceanco and refitted in 2015, Vibrant Curiosity measures 85.5 metres and is the private vessel of Reinhold Würth, one of Germany’s most successful industrialists and the chairman of the €20 billion Würth Group.

This superyacht features:
– A helipad and elevator
– Beach club, swimming pool, and jacuzzi
– Triple-deck atrium with floor-to-ceiling glass
– Accommodation for 18 guests and 26 crew

Beyond business, Würth is one of the world’s most prominent art collectors, and Vibrant Curiosity is often described as an extension of his refined taste and business acumen.

A billion-euro superyacht season for Malta

While Artefact and Vibrant Curiosity are commanding attention this week, 2025 has seen an unprecedented influx of billionaire-owned superyachts to Malta, with dozens of vessels –collectively worth billions of euros – visiting our marinas.

From tax efficiencies and expert maritime services to luxury provisioning and strategic location, Malta offers a compelling value proposition for the global yachting elite. The island’s ability to attract such high-calibre vessels and their influential owners further reinforces its growing position in the luxury investment and lifestyle landscape.