Oceanco, which builds some of the world’s biggest yachts, puts its success down to its strict attention to detail, innovation and its ability to think big

Oceanco is one of the most known shipyards in the world, although it is the youngest in Holland (1987) and the only one that it is not owned by a Dutch family (Dr Mohammed Al Barwani, a very experienced businessman from Oman bought the shipyard in March 2010). 

Oceanco CEO Marcel Onkenhout credits the yacht builder’s success to its philosophy of “always trying to stay ahead of the curve”.

“While Oceanco doesn’t necessarily follow in the tradition of generations of ancient mariners, we do build upon, and expand what we have done since the beginning,” he tells Arabian Knight.

“Since its inception, Oceanco has been owned and run by yachtsmen and industrialists of the 21st century. Unencumbered by history, we have forged our own standards for the modern world where ideas, materials and demands change, not by the decade but by the year.”

He continues: “In 2005, Oceanco made the decision to specialise in yachts for a very particular type of owner. The Y700-coded yachts – Alfa Nero 82 m, Seven Seas 86 m and Equanimity 91.5 m to name a few – were deliberately designed to be the ultimate in sophistication – technically, mechanically and aesthetically. 

“Fifty per cent of the yachts we have built appear in the ‘Top 100 worldwide largest yachts’ list and with each new launch to come, we are confident they will all appear on that list as well. Our clients have the confidence of seeing some of the world’s most accomplished yachts built on time, on budget and to exceptional standards.


DETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

“We embrace market trends but never let them constrain our innovation. Oceanco listens carefully to what our clients wish to achieve. Without preconceived ideas, our naval architects and project managers question everything to ensure that we fully understand every detail. The details make the difference. This is how we build, not just the perfect yacht but also the owner’s perfect yacht.”

Oceanco’s shipyard has now facilities for building megayachts up to 140 m, but the market is asking for bigger and bigger yachts. Does Onkenhout think that there is a limit to these demands?

“Well, we are not sure if the private yacht market requests will extend to veritable cruise ships over 140 m,” he says. “However, we do expect the demand for 80+ m yachts with groundbreaking designs to increase. We are very in tune with our market segment and, as a direct response, have increased our physical plant by building a brand new state-of-the-art facility and dry-dock that can accommodate the construction of superyachts up to 140 m in length.”


STUNNING NEW CONCEPT

At the 2015 Monaco Yacht Show, Oceanco revealed it had partnered with designer Philippe Briand and his Vitruvius brand on a spectacular new 105-m-long PYC (passenger yacht code)-compliant yacht design. 

Lean and green, the project name Acquaintance is designed to be 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than other motoryachts of her size. 

The stunning new concept was unveiled to prospective buyers at the Monaco Yacht Show, which was held at Port Hercules in September.

With a razor-sharp elegance that only Briand can draw, her fine lines and sleek layout exude an overall feeling of purity and lightness despite her 4,302 gross tons.

Designed to accommodate 22 guests in extreme luxury, the main deck features a stunning swimming pool with a translucent aft glass panel and glass floor enabling it to be viewed from the aft of the yacht as well as from the skylight in the ceiling of the spa deck below. 

The pool deck lounge area flows seamlessly into the main deck salon. Enclosed by glass walls, the salon is showered in light and yields a 270-degree panoramic view. 

The 10 guest cabins are forward on the main deck and all benefit from large bay windows and sea views. Twin VIP staterooms will have a front-facing views. 

A central staircase and elevator service the primary decks from the beach club to the top deck. The next deck up from the salon is the bridge deck with the captain’s domain forward and a guest upper salon aft. 

Here too, there is a 270-degree view. A recessed bar, permitting unblocked views from the salon, is located on the aft upper deck and is protected from the wind. Forward on this deck is a touch-and-go helicopter pad allowing for instant mobility for the guests, should the need arise. 

One deck above the bridge deck is the owners’ area. Here, the owners enjoy total privacy. Their exclusive terrace, protected from the elements, has no external access so it is completely private and secure. 

From the aft facing bedroom suite, there is a 180-degree panoramic view and forward is an observation lounge with much the same vantage point but facing the opposite direction. 

The top sundeck – accessible via the owner’s deck – has a sun-protected bar and whirlpool aft.

The lowest guest deck onboard features a beach club, cinema, gym and spa at sea level and sports a skylight from which one can view the underside of the swimming pool overhead on the main deck. A garage supports a limo tender up to 12 m in length as well as a myriad of other watersports toys. Embarking and disembarking takes place amidships. When the beach club door is closed, there is no exterior access to the yacht, thus ensuring 100 per cent security. 

Contemporary and clean, this yacht is modern without being minimal and has everything a discerning yacht owner would want, Onkenhout says, adding that Briand’s award-winning Vitruvius brand has hit new heights with this exclusive design for Oceanco.


DIVERSE CLIENTELE

Moving on to Oceanco’s client profile, Onkenhout points out there is no typical Oceanco owner. “There is no one stereotype or cultural profile. Our clients are from around the world – all are highly knowledgeable professionals and leaders in their respective fields. They have the means to be demanding and they choose us; several of our clients are repeat customers. They want their yacht to be built by Oceanco,” he says.

Although Oceanco works with the most important yacht designers, Onkenhout feels there is space also for newcomers.

“Not only does Oceanco work with some of the most famous and important yacht designers such as Nuvolari Lenard, Sam Sorgiovanni, Espen Øino, Andrew Winch, Terence Disdale, Igor Lobanov, Alberto Pinto and Francois Zuretti, but we also have own expert in-house Oceanco design team.

“When we receive new customer requests, our in-house design team works closely with the Oceanco sales and marketing department to identify new trends and come up with new exciting solutions. We also collaborate well with our client’s chosen designers.

“We definitely feel there is room for new designers,” he says. “In fact, Oceanco actively sponsors and supports ‘Young Designer of the Year Award’. We hope to encourage fresh new talent to join the superyacht industry. Oceanco’s is continuously exploring new approaches to design and technology. Perhaps one day, one of these new young designers will be helping to create the next generation Oceanco yacht.”

Earlier this year, Oceanco and Vitters launched an 85-m sailing yacht by Bill Tripp, and Onkenhout hints that we could see more such projects in the future.

“The 85-m Aquijo is indeed the outcome of a remarkable co-operation between the two yards,” he says. “Oceanco had never before built a sailing yacht and Vitters had never built a yacht of that size before…we both brought something to the party. We partnered to combine our respective expertise. This novel approach to building is as unique as the yacht itself. Oceanco does have another sailing yacht in the works and perhaps more in the future. Why not?” 

SPEC CHECK – ACQUAINTANCE

Exterior designer: Philippe Briand
Naval architect: Oceanco/BMT/Briand
Speed max: 18.5 Knots
Class: Lloyd’s Register, 100 A1 Passenger Ship, MC, UMS, SCM, ECO
Flag: Cayman Islands – PYC 
Main engines: 4 x MTU 16V4000 M33S (1,760 kW each) 2 x electrical motor (3,500 kW each)

Accommodation:
Guests: 22 persons
• 1 owner’s suite
• 8 double guest suites
• 2 twin guest suites
Crew: 32 persons
Facilities: Beach club, spa/gym, cinema