Imagine a luxury superyacht unlike any other—one that combines the exclusivity of a private residence with the opulence of a six-star hotel.
That was precisely the vision behind M/Y Somnio, a grand project spearheaded by Australian investor Carl Le Souef.
With a staggering price tag of £400 million, the 728-foot vessel was designed to be a floating paradise for the ultra-wealthy, offering extravagant amenities such as an onboard beach, a 10,000-bottle wine cellar, and private apartments costing £8.1 million each.
A Project Years in the Making
Le Souef had been working on this ambitious idea since 2007, alongside co-founder Erik Bredhe, a former captain of the luxury residential ship MS The World.
The plan was to attract a consortium of investors, each required to put down a non-refundable deposit of £100,000 to secure their stake in the exclusive residence.
With six floors of luxury, world-class dining, and elite wellness facilities, Somnio was set to redefine high-end travel.
Design Disputes and Unpaid Bills
In 2019, renowned British superyacht designers Winch Design were brought on board to bring Le Souef’s dream to life.
However, while the ship was originally slated for a 2024 launch, that deadline has come and gone with no superyacht in sight.
The delay was compounded by a legal dispute after Winch Design claimed that Le Souef had failed to pay their £733,750 design bill.
Le Souef contested the claim, arguing that he was not personally responsible for the payment.
However, the London High Court ruled otherwise, stating that the contract made it clear he was liable for the debt.
Judge Lesley Anderson KC also dismissed Le Souef’s claim that a verbal agreement made over dinner at a Chelsea restaurant had absolved him of immediate payment obligations.
A Costly Legal Battle
With the judgment against him, Le Souef was ordered to settle the full amount owed to Winch Design.
Additionally, he was required to cover the bulk of the design firm’s legal costs, which totaled over £300,000.
Combined with the original debt, this pushed his total court bill past £1 million.
The Future of M/Y Somnio
Despite its legal troubles, the Somnio project remains classified as “under construction.”
The official website still boasts about the ship’s lavish features, including two gourmet restaurants, an exclusive cigar lounge, a top-tier spa, and medical facilities rivaling the world’s best hospitals.
Built by Norwegian shipyard VARD under the Fincantieri group, the yacht is marketed as the future of ultra-luxury travel.
What Comes Next?
With the court ruling now settled, the question remains—what happens next?
Will Le Souef be able to secure the necessary funds to complete his dream project, or will this legal setback mark the end of the world’s most ambitious superyacht?
While the vision for Somnio is grand, the reality of bringing such an extravagant endeavor to life continues to face hurdles.
Only time will tell if this floating millionaire’s row will ever set sail.