Dutch design studio Vripack has unveiled the first detailed look at Project Milky Ways, a 50-metre superyacht currently under construction at MCP Yachts in Brazil. Upon delivery in June 2027, the yacht will become the largest superyacht ever built in Brazil, marking a major milestone for the country’s superyacht industry.
First announced in October 2024, the project represents MCP Yachts’ largest build to date and was commissioned by an experienced yachtsman. Vripack was introduced by the shipyard and is responsible for the yacht’s exterior design and naval architecture, while interior design, project management and construction are being handled in-house by MCP.
Conceived as a “floating sanctuary”, Project Milky Ways is designed to balance private family use with professional entertaining. Although the owner is accustomed to spending time aboard 1,000GT charter yachts, the brief called for a more efficient and purposeful 499GT semi-planing yacht, constructed entirely in aluminium and intended for cruising throughout Brazilian and Caribbean waters.
“The challenge was to integrate the amenities and comfort of a much larger yacht into a 499GT platform,” said Vripack co-creative director Bart Bouwhuis. “Smart layout decisions allowed us to deliver a highly multifunctional yacht without compromise.”
One of the yacht’s standout features is the “people pad”—an overwater terrace positioned above the main deck aft, functioning as an open-air lounge. Designed almost like a secondary sundeck closer to the water, it includes a double-sided bar serving both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Additional owner-led requests include a plumb bow, contributing to a slender profile while increasing interior volume, and an expansive lower-deck beach club complete with sauna, gym, dayhead and a custom oversized spa pool. Twin fold-down side terraces further enhance the space, increasing its footprint by up to 40 per cent.
The bridge deck offers al fresco dining, cosy lounge seating and a firepit, while the forward helideck is certified for an Airbus EC145 and can double as a basketball court when not in use. A discreet tender garage houses a seven-metre Castoldi, while the sundeck features a sit-up bar, sun loungers and a glass-fronted pool.
Inside, the yacht is tailored to the owner’s lifestyle, with a main-deck cigar lounge complete with a fold-down balcony, a bar and an impressive 250-bottle walk-in wine cellar in the skylounge. Two dedicated offices are incorporated—one on the bridge deck and a private office connected to the full-beam master suite on the main deck. Guest accommodation includes two VIP cabins and two twin cabins on the lower deck.
Project Milky Ways is expected to reach a top speed of 21 knots and offer a range of 3,500 nautical miles at 11 knots, combining performance with long-range cruising capability.
With its ambitious scale, refined functionality and landmark status, Project Milky Ways signals a new chapter for Brazilian superyacht construction—and reinforces Vripack’s reputation for intelligent, owner-focused design.
