The superyacht Katara remains docked in the Port of Tarragona since the beginning of March and, for now, has no departure date. The vessel arrived from Gibraltar, its last known destination, from where it sailed on March 2.
It is not the first time that this ship calls at the city. The Katara had already visited Tarragona in 2023 and its presence once again places one of the largest private vessels in the world in the Tarragona port.
A megayacht linked to the former emir of Qatar
The Katara is owned by the former emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, born in Doha on January 1, 1952. He was head of the Qatari State between 1995 and 2013, the year in which he abdicated in favor of his son, the current emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The ship is considered the fourteenth largest yacht in the world and is registered in Doha. Its value is around 400 million dollars, a figure that exceeds 345 million euros at the current exchange rate. The estimated annual cost of maintenance and operation ranges between 25 and 40 million dollars.
More than 124 meters in length
Built by the German shipyard Lurssen and launched in 2010, the Katara exceeds 124 meters in length and reaches a beam of 19.5 meters. It can navigate at a speed of 20 knots and features a steel hull, aluminum superstructure and a weight of more than 7,900 tons.
The exterior design corresponds to naval architect Espen Øino, while the interiors were signed by Alberto Pinto. Among its features are a helipad, several swimming pools, elevator, jacuzzi on the upper deck, gym, spa and beach club.
Capacity for guests and crew
Specialized data places the Katara as a vessel prepared to accommodate dozens of people on board. One of the consulted references attributes to it 40 cabins, with 14 for guests and 30 for workers. That same information sets a maximum capacity of about 90 people, with 28 guests and around 60 crew members.
Other references raise those figures and point to about 95 employees and 34 guests, which gives an idea of the logistical dimension involved in operating a vessel of these characteristics.
Latest movements of the Katara
Before its arrival in Tarragona, the yacht had passed through Germany in May 2025, where it underwent a review and remodeling at the Blohm+Voss shipyards. One month later, in June 2025, it was sighted in Mallorca.
The vessel also drags a relevant incident in its history. In 2016 it suffered a fire in the kitchens, although the yacht continued forming part of the international circuit of large private vessels.
Without public departure forecast, the Katara continues in the Port de Tarragona, where its presence does not go unnoticed due to its dimensions, its value and the profile of its owner.