Innovation, technology and customization. These are three
of the guiding principles that have elevated Oceanco to
worldwide success. Its visionary clients are the builder’s
greatest ambassadors in affirming the quality and capability
of yachts, where design, efficiency, comfort, sustainability
are combined. A commitment that Marcel Onkenhout has pursued
since he joined the company 30 years ago. Now, as CEO, he
continues to advance that objective in exciting new ways
When considering the most remarkable superyachts in the world, one cannot exclude Oceanco from the line-up. Black Pearl, Bravo Eugenia and Koru are not only yacht names, they are icons on the water; three examples out of dozens of remarkable deliveries that have resulted in the Dutch yacht builder’s exceptional reputation.
Oceanco continues to break new ground in yachting. For example, in 2021, Oceanco revealed its NXT initiative, a collaborative commitment to the future where it invites trailblazers from a wide range of industries into the conversation, incorporating their many perspectives and skillsets. And in 2023, the company launched Simply Custom, a new way of building a custom yacht that guarantees Oceanco’s outstanding pedigree while streamlining the process for owners. Having joined the company as a project manager some 30 years ago, Onkenhout became Oceanco’s CEO in 2010. Having led the company through milestone years, he is a strong advocate for maintaining the company’s personal touch in every project undertaken, while also pushing forward through meaningful innovation. He sat down with us to share his thoughts on what lies ahead for Oceanco.
In recent years, Oceanco has become particularly known for its highly unique yachts which are often over 100m, such as Koru, Infinity and Seven Seas. With Simply Custom you are put ting the 80m size range back into focus, what was the motivation behind this?
Since the mid-2000s, when we launched our 700-coded yachts, we have had a very strong presence in the 80m range; and our interest in the market never went away. These yachts were sleek, imposing and modern in their aesthetic, with lifestyle features that had rarely been seen on yachts before, such as heated swimming pools, gyms, cinemas and beauty salons. These might not be considered out of the ordinary today but their inclusion was quite exceptional for the time. The market continues to evolve and we look to serve the needs of our clients. So last year we launched Simply Custom, which promises an exciting new way to build a custom Oceanco while streamlining the process for owners. Understanding that some clients value a less technically focused yacht building experience – while still demanding the pedigree and comfort of an Oceanco – Simply Custom meets this growing demand. While the yachts themselves are advanced and complex, executing simple fundamentals at the highest level, the Simply Custom approach allows owners to focus on what matters to them most.
Available from 80m (262ft) in length, or 2,500-2,700GT, the technical foundation of Simply Custom delivers the flexibility to include the most exciting and inspiring design features, alongside the exceptional technical standards and collaborative approach for which we are renowned. Oceanco has collaborated with top-tier studios to create a portfolio of yacht designs called The Collection, which showcases exteriors penned by long-established, award-winning designers alongside a new generation of creative talents. It is intended to provide inspiration for a full spectrum of tastes and lifestyles, with an appreciation for how today’s yacht owners want to spend their time onboard.
For the technical package, we worked with Lateral Naval Architects to develop an intuitive approach to customization that is simple to understand and implement, offering solutions tailored to lifestyle needs as well. These include watersports and diving packages, an entertainment package and enhanced sustainability through a smart-eco package. Typically configured with an owner’s stateroom and six guest suites, Simply Custom’s flexible layout allows for additional suites, multipurpose lounges, an inside or outside cinema, a wellness area and gym.
Last year you completed the full rebuild of H3. Can you share more on this unique project?
H3’s transformation is practically unprecedented in its scale and nature. The goal of her rebuild was to take a very high-tech yacht from 20 years ago and make her in line with any yacht that is built today in terms of technology, safety, capability and sustainability.
Although the majority of the yacht’s original hull remains, practically every other element onboard – both technical and aesthetic – has been completely transformed and modernized, and her length overall now measures 105m. H3 displays a modern exterior look, including a completely new superstructure, with both exterior and interior design provided by Reymond Langton Design. At a time when the industry is increasingly mindful of the impact that newly built yachts have on the planet, it is valuable to highlight that bringing an existing vessel’s environmental profile up to date with contemporary standards can have as much, if not more, of a positive impact. New data from Oceanco’s Research & Development team shows that thanks to her Tier III compliant set-up, particularly the highly powerful greenhouse gas nitrous oxide of H3 has been drastically reduced. As a result, H3’s operational footprint has been reduced by at least 60 percent. When using an alternative fuel, such as HVO, the operational footprint reduces further due to lower CO2 emissions to almost 90 percent compared to before her rebuild. Furthermore, figures suggest that by going with a rebuild rather than new build superyacht of this scale, carbon emissions related to the steel and aluminum production for H3 were reduced by 50 percent – approximately 2,000 tons of carbon – equivalent to 10 hectares of forest planted per year for 20 years (assuming a service life of 20 years). We are very proud of what has been achieved through the rebuild of H3, especially with our new data showing just how impactful this ground-breaking project has been.
What does Oceanco have in store for us next? Is there anything new in the pipeline that you can share?
It has been a busy 18 months for us, and we expect to continue that momentum. We continue to work with our trusted partners to offer not only what we see the market wants, but also what it will need in the coming years. Sustainability will be a part of this, undoubtedly. But we also plan to present some new offerings that will provide our clients with exciting new opportunities and capabilities. I can’t share too much yet, but we very much looking forward to revealing more in due course. Stay tuned, as they say!
