Amels Yacht's History

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The yard, founded by the Amels family in 1918, has developed over the years a reputation as builders of a wide range of commercial vessels and naval craft during which time some 350 newbuildings left the yard.

In the early 1980's the yard commenced the building of luxury yachts of over 40 metres in length as part of their shipbuilding activities. The shipbuilding experience of the yard was extended to yachtbuilding in respect of seaworthiness, strength and mechanical installation. To ensure the highest standard of finish the very best of Dutch craftsmen were selected.
In 1987 commercial shipbuilding was terminated and the newly formed company concentrated exclusively on the building and refitting of super yachts. During this time Amels built such yachts as "Lady Ghislaine", My Gail III", "Jamaica Bay", "Katalina" and "Lady Duvera". The workforce consisted of 100 employees who were specialised in all facets of yacht building and refitting. This together with its own sales and design teams, drawing offices and project management teams created a very effective production unit.

The ownership of the yard changed hands in 1987 from the Amels family to CTS Group, an investment company based in Bermuda. Amels Holland B.V. were successful in securing the contract for the new 128 metre "Trump Princess" motoryacht but, unfortunately, due to financial problems, Mr Donald Trump had to abandon the project.

In 1991 the ownership of the shipyard was transferred back into Dutch hands when Damen Shipyards Group acquired the yard as a logical extension to their integral shipbuilding and repair business. Under the ownership of Damen, Amels Holland B.V. is able to offer excellent financial guarantees. Also back-up engineering, design and production facilities can be provided, if so required.

More recently, Amels Holland B.V. have extended their reputation still further having built and delivered such yachts as "Sheergold", "Secret Love", "Katamarino", "Maupiti" the 47 metre diesel electric driven exploration yacht with its unusual helicopter facilities, "Montkaj" with 75 metre length at the time of completion the biggest megayacht ever built in the Netherlands.
During the development of the MCA Code of Practice the first yacht compliant with the code was built and delivered to her owner. This was the beginning of of a successful series of yachts in the 50 to 52 metre range which is still continuing.

Over the past 18 years a large number of refits have been completed with the most noteworthy project being the refit of the 86 metre motoryacht "Nabila" first refitted for Mr Donald Trump and then refitted again later for her new owner and renamed "Kingdom 5KR".
Also worth mentioning is the recent lengthening from 75 to 78 metres of the ever impressive motoryacht "Montkaj".

The Amels succes story has a new twist with the recent acquistion of Royal Schelde, the 125 year old renowed Shipyard based in Vlissingen by the Damen Shipyards Group, Amels' parent company. Amels has secured an important section of the superb Schelde shipyard for its own use and has renamed this facility Amels Schelde.


Royal Schelde was engaged in building naval and commercial vessels and will now play a major role with Amels Holland in Makkum, providing extra capacity for new yacht building, repair and refit contracts. Situated at the entrance of the river Schelde these superb covered construction facilities will enable the Amels design and engineering team to develop the next generation of superyachts, using the additional engineering expertise and innovation found at the Royal Schelde organisation. The facilities will accomodate yachts and other vessels up to 200m (655ft).

In 1998, the magnificant Andrew Winch "Sarafsa" (54m, 177ft) was launched followed in 1999 by Tigre d'Or (52m, 171ft) and the 70.50m (231ft) Boadicea, both by Terence Disdale.

2000 saw the major refit and lengthening of the magnificant 75m (246ft) "Montkaj". Further new orders will see "Toinie" (52m, 171ft) to be delivered Spring 2001. With the current order book steadily growing, no less than seven other significant yachts are in various stages of design and building ranging from 50 metres to 70 metres.

Operating relatively independent from the parent company, Amels Holland B.V. either in Makkum or Vlissingen offers you the highest quality in the construction and refit of super yachts.