A £30million pound Italian super yacht understood to be on a scientific research support trip sailed into Greenock this morning.

The luxurious expedition vessel Akula, believed to be owned by the co-founder of Ocado and former Goldman Sachs banker Jonathan Faiman, is berthed in the James Watt Dock Marina.

Launched last year, the 59.4 metre Akula – built at the Rossinavi Shipyard in Viareggio in Northern Italy – combines a luxury private yacht with cutting edge technologies.

Akula (Image: George Munro)

The boat, registered in Bloody Bay in Jamaica, is built to support scientists with their research activities including in oceanography, marine biology, and marine archaeology

We understand it is currently on a polar region trip and scientific research support trip to Scotland, while also sailing to the Faroe Islands, Norway, Iceland, Greenland.

Akula (Image: George Munro)

It also comes fitted with more than 550 square-metres of open deck area, an owner’s private deck, four guest staterooms; and a gym, massage room, sauna and heated swimming pool.

James Dock Marina is a popular destination for some of the world’s best super yachts and the Akula does not disappoint.

It has a top speed of 15.5 knots, with a capacity for 10 guests and 13 crew and can spend up to 30 days at sea with a range of more than 8,000 nautical miles.

Later this year the yacht will head for the US east coast before the Caribbean and central America.