123m superyacht belonging to Qatar Emir spotted in Malta

Boating enthusiasts were in for a treat over the weekend as the unmissable 123m superyacht Al Lusail was spotted in Valletta.

Records of the vessel’s movement show that it arrived in Malta on Friday 24th March just after 6am, and departed for Tarragona, in Spain, the following day in the afternoon.

Freelance photographer Alex Turnbull took some stunning sots of the Al Lusail with Valletta and Tigne Point in the background, posting them on social media.

This was not the first time the eye-catching superyacht was in Malta, having also been noticed around the Grand Harbour in 2022 and 2018.

The Al Lusail is named after Qatar’s second-largest city, and is owned by the Qatari ruling family, specifically Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, the Emir of Qatar.

Its length is reportedly one metre shorter than the Katara, owned by the Emir’s father, as a show of respect.

It was estimated to cost around €500 million, and costs about €50 million every year to operate.

Built by the German shipyard Lürssen, and delivered in 2017, the Al Lusail spans five decks and accommodate up to 36 guests across 18 cabins, as well as 56 crew members.

The Al Lusail’s lush interior was styled by March & White Design, while its bold exterior work is courtesy of H2 Yacht Design.

It includes a gym, an elevator, a swimming pool, a cinema, a wellness zone including a beach club and beauty salon, and a helicopter landing pad, as well as two limousine tenders and a rhib.

The Qatar-flagged superyacht has a 8,489 gross tonnage, and can reach a top speed of 20 knots.