The Biggest Industry News Stories of 2023

195m REV OCEAN Resumes Build

In November, it was announced that the world’s largest and most advanced yacht, REV OCEAN, resumed her build, just over two years since her construction was put on hold. She caught the industry’s attention once again as her length is set to increase by 12 metres, giving her a staggering LOA of 194.9m.

The intention behind REV OCEAN was to generate a new generation of ocean solutions and raise awareness of the global impacts on the marine environment. She will accommodate 36 crew members and 54 scientists, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to enable the very best research to be conducted.

REV OCEAN is not only a ground-breaking research vessel, but an exceptional charter opportunity: up to 28 guests can become completely immersed in the research carried out onboard by some of the best scientists in the world. From discovering shipwrecks to creating movies of their onboard experience in a media suite, guests onboard REV OCEAN will have an unforgettable charter that is completely unique to anything currently offered on the market. 

Set to be delivered in 2025, REV OCEAN will be fully operational in 2026, confirmed to significantly change the maritime industry. 

AMELS 120 Begins Outfitting

Damen Yachting announced in June that its full custom Amels 120 is nearing completion as her hull and superstructure arrived at the Vlissingen facility to begin outfitting. She is the largest superyacht currently in-build in the Netherlands at 120 metres in length, whilst also being the largest Amels superyacht to date. 

Espen Oeino is responsible for her striking exterior, whilst the interior design remains private. She is set to be the future flagship of the Dutch Shipyard and incorporates Damen’s latest design and technology features. 

Amels 120 will be powered by diesel-electric engines and Azipod electric propulsion, set to not only reduce the impact on the environment, but also to operate with the lowest levels of noise and vibration ever recorded on a yacht of this size.

Project 824’s Hull and Superstructure Joined

Feadship’s 100m Project 824 emerged from her shed in September as she made her way North for outfitting, her hull and superstructure joined along the way. Whilst information about the yacht is being kept tightly under wraps, the ‘marriage’ between her hull and superstructure showcases her to be another sensational Feadship creation. 

84m OBSIDIAN Delivered

In July, Feadship delivered 84.20m OBSIDIAN: the shipyard’s first delivery of 2023. She is the first of Feadship’s new generation of vessels furthering carbon reduction through a variety of innovative methods.

A key focus for fuel savings onboard is capturing “waste” heat and using it for other purposes, this energy essentially being carbon-free as it reuses incidental heat generated by another function. Mark Jansen, Project Manager, has recognised the success of energy saving onboard OBSIDIAN: ‘There are so many points of energy savings integrated on this yacht that it is hard to count’. 

Using the Yacht Environmental Transparency Index (YETI Tool), it is estimated that OBSIDIAN will operate with 27% less environmental impact than a similar size yacht launched just five years ago if run on fossil fuel, and 60% less when using HVO. 

The 100m yacht represents not just an exciting project for Feadship, but also for the industry as a whole, as she features ground-breaking sustainable features that are set to change the course of eco-conscious superyacht design.

Heesen’s 67m SPARTA Launched

Heesen’s largest steel motor yacht SPARTA was launched in June this year. She is a beautiful collaboration between the Dutch yard and Winch Design, with a dashing look and a combination of class and contemporary touches.

‘Togetherness’ is at the heart of SPARTA’s design, featuring a full-beam main saloon that connects with the low, open-air beach terrace. Winch Design has innovatively utilised the generous volumes onboard, with two separate owner’s suites located on a private deck and four guest suites on the main deck.

She is a yacht that exudes the utmost elegance, with a beautiful staircase and glass elevator serving all three decks and a 65 sqm Japanese-inspired wellness area, containing an elliptical whirlpool, steam room and gym.

Peter van der Zanden, Head of Engineering, commented: ‘Sparta is a testament to our commitment to delivering the finest superyachts.’ She is a stunning display of the shipayard’s expertise, showcasing superyacht engineering and design at its greatest.