For twelve years Aranui III plied her passenger trade out of homeport of Papeete in French Polynesia. She operated as a passenger carrying cargo ship serving Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands. Operating for Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime her cabins where consistently sold-out to passengers enjoying a 14-day cruise visiting the islands of Rangiroa and Fakarava in the Tuamotu Islands at the same time as carrying general cargo to the six ports in the Marquesas Islands.
Constructed at the Severnav Shipyard in Romania she was launched in 2002. She first entered service in 2003. Her final voyage was completed in 2015 when a new ship, Aranui 5, replaced her.
She was reported as having been sold to M2 Vessel Ltd, under the management of Al Seer Marine, Abu Dhabi, for conversion.
In 2017 the Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore began work on converting the ship. She has now emerged as the superyacht support ship M2.
Built over 8 decks with an internal volume of 7,393gt, M2 has a length overall of 130.2 metres with a beam of 17.6 metres and a 5.5 metre draught.
Still original
Her still original, 3,840 kW (5,150 hp) MaK 8M32 engine, drives a single propellor to give her a top speed of 15 knots.
Her displacement steel hull and superstructure are little changed from her passenger ship days. But as M2, she has a distinctly different bow. It is now equipped with a large crane, enhancing its operational capabilities.
Photograph: Charl van Rooy, https://www.redcharliemedia.com
The yacht includes a helideck located well forward, facilitating easy helicopter access. Inside, M2 boasts four expansive storage garages. They provide an internal volume exceeding 6,500 cubic metres.
Clean and cohesive appearance
The hull and superstructure have been painted in white, providing a clean and cohesive appearance. The boot top and below the waterline areas are finished in dark blue, offering a distinct contrast to the white exterior.
M2 is widely acknowledged to belong to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan. He also owns the 160 metre Blue a superyacht built in 2022 by Lurssen. As the support vessel to Blue, M2 carries extra crew, extra tenders, and supplies. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan is currently the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. And is that country’s Minister of Presidential Affairs.