Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Monaco Yacht Show. Thank you for this incredible turn out – I know how hard it can be to digest our latest news at this earliest of hours, so we have made sure the coffee is extra strong this morning! For those of you who do not recognize me, my name is Arthur Brouwer and I am CEO of Heesen.
It is a privilege to stand at the helm of our company which, in 2018, celebrates its 40TH anniversary. Just a few weeks ago we marked this milestone with a party at our shipyard in Oss for our employees and their families. It is lucky that we are in the process of expanding the shipyard – with 1,200 party guests we certainly needed the space!
Such a large turnout to that celebration really brought home to me just how far Heesen has come over the past 4 decades. I think back to those first steps in 1978, and remember that we had just 20 employees – and incredibly, 5 of those original 20 are still working with us today. They have certainly witnessed a lot of changes.Over the years, the company has grown just as the size of our yachts has grown. The very first Heesen, MY Amigo, was launched in 1979 and was “just” 20 metres. That seems small by today’s standards, but back then she was certainly considered a large yacht.
Today our largest yacht under construction, as you have just heard, is 80 metres. That’s a growth of nearly four times the length in four decades, or 20 metres every ten years. Of course, this growth has meant we have had to continually expand our facility, and today we have 8 sheds and 6 dry docks, totalling 22,000 m2 at our main shipyard - including an 85 metre dry dock we inaugurated in 2016. We also have a 6,500m2 interior workshop in Winterskwijk.
The key to all our success is the same now as it was right back in 1978 – the women and men who work passionately to craft our yachts. That original team of 20 has also grown considerably. We now have 450 fulltime employees and approximately 200 subcontractors. That means that on any given day there are around 650 people working on our premises. And they are being kept very busy. Earlier this year we sold 2 full custom yachts: the 60m Project Falcon and the 80m Project Cosmos – a combined total of 140 linear meters of yacht. Perhaps more impressively, their combined Gross Tonnage is 2,760 GT – which is 80 per cent of the entire gross tonnage of the six yachts we sold in 2017.
It means our company, once again, is expanding accordingly. We have recently completed the acquisition of a new property in Winterswijk to increase our interior facility there, and we are currently in an advanced phase of negotiations to acquire more land in Oss. As we are expanding, we are also actively looking for new people to join our highly skilled workforce, and we are training the next generation of craftsmen and yacht builders.
Recruiting and training skilled workers is just one of the challenges we face and embrace. Over the past 40 years we have seen the market change considerably. We have not only changed with the market, we have also made it our mission to influence and drive those market changes. Heesen began as a yard building full custom yachts on demand, and we remained a custom yacht builder for the first 20 years of our history. But at the turn of the millennium we were among the first shipyards to bring semicustom and platform superyachts to the market, with the idea of building on speculation. It proved to be a milestone decision, and today our commercial success continues to draw on this strategy of building both custom yachts and on-spec platform yachts.
Our current order book consists of 12 yachts under construction, with deliveries ranging from next year, all the way out to 2022. 5 of these are being built on spec. We live in a world of instant gratification, and not all clients are willing to wait 2.5 to 3 years to take possession of their yacht. Building on spec allows us to reduce the delivery time to clients. Of course, we also have to be aware of wider market conditions and in this sense the global economic outlook remains positive. However, substantial risks do exist and could threaten growth in the short and medium terms. Escalating trade conflicts and protectionism, the tightening of monetary policy, equity market corrections and global political strains are just a few of the factors that can play their part.
However, the number of the world’s wealthiest individuals continues to grow, not just in the billionaire bracket but also in the Ultra High Net Worth bracket – usually defined as those people who have a net worth of more than $30 million. Indeed, Knight Frank estimates that at the end of last year there were close to 130,000 of these UHNW individuals worldwide – a rise of 10 per cent over the course of 2017. 2017 was also a great year for Heesen with the sale of 6 yachts ranging from 47 to 55 metres, and with the 60 metre and 80 metre full custom yachts sold this year it is clear that we continue to enjoy a promising future. Perhaps that’s a result of the 40 years of experience we have amassed in the custom and semi-custom superyacht market, having now built and delivered more than 170 superyachts.
Either way, we are moving into the next 40 years of our history with a strong order book and a solid strategy, and we look forward to working with you all as we unveil exciting new projects and continue to grow our facilities in the coming months and years. Thank you all for coming, and enjoy the rest of the Monaco Yacht Show.
Camper & Nicholsons has been appointed central agent for the sale of the 40.05-meter Sunseeker motor yacht Berco Voyager. Built in 2018, the vessel is offered at €13.9 million with VAT paid. Sales advisor Maël Fiolet is handling the listing.The yacht represents one of the final hulls in Sunseeker's 131 series, featuring upgraded interiors and specifications exceeding standard models. The current owner has maintained the vessel with additional custom features distinguishing it from sisterships.Berco Voyager accommodates 10 guests across five cabins with crew quarters for seven personnel. The yacht has demonstrated charter operational capability and includes extended engine warranty coverage.Currently located in Sardinia, the vessel will relocate to Southern France for the upcoming show season. The listing presents a rare opportunity to acquire a 40-meter Sunseeker with proven charter history and comprehensive maintenance records.Since 1969 Sunseeker Yachts has built composite semi-custom yachts from 12m to 47m. The shipyard's main facility is located in Poole.Credits: Camper & Nicholsons
August 20, 2025
American shipyard Hargrave Custom Yachts has unveiled a new 36.5-meter design in its 120 Series, featuring exterior and interior styling by Italian designer Patrizio Facheris. The raised pilothouse model represents a departure from the yard's typical in-house design approach.Constructed in carbon-reinforced E-glass epoxy composite, the yacht meets RINA Pleasure classification standards. The vessel accommodates 12 guests and 7 crew members, with a 7.6-meter beam and 1.9-meter draft. Light displacement measures 130 tons.Performance specifications include twin Caterpillar C32 engines producing 1,900 horsepower each, enabling a maximum speed of 21.5 knots and a cruising range of 945 nautical miles. The electrical system incorporates twin Northern Lights 56kW generators with 120/208 VAC power distribution and 24V DC engine starting.Exterior finishes feature hand-laid Burmese teak decking with non-skid paint options. Hull and superstructure coatings utilize AWLGRIP and International products for durability.Hargrave includes a six-month management package with each sale. The vessel remains available for inspection ahead of its Cannes showing.Credits: Hargrave Custom Yachts
August 20, 2025
Damen Yachting has simultaneously delivered two vessels to a single owner: the 60-meter Xplorer After You and the 53-meter Yacht Support Emotional. Both yachts were constructed at Damen's Antalya shipyard with Dutch engineering support and brokered by TWW Yachts.The Xplorer 60 is designed for global exploration ranging from polar regions to Mediterranean destinations. The Yacht Support vessel provides additional crew accommodations, toy storage, and helicopter facilities to complement the main yacht's operations.Jorrit Pilaar, Damen Yachting Sales Manager, stated: "It was an absolute pleasure working with the team of TWW Yachts over the last months to get the first Xplorer 60 and the 53-metre Yacht Support ready for delivery."Enrique Tintore, Product & Design Manager, added: "This double delivery is a landmark moment for Damen Yachting," acknowledging collaboration between the company's Antalya and Vlissingen facilities.David Westwood, CEO of TWW Yachts, noted: "Their technical proficiency and reliability as a supplier allowed us to focus on the Owner's priorities with complete confidence."Both vessels will appear at next month's Monaco Yacht Show before beginning operational service. The delivery represents Damen Yachting's continued expansion in the expedition yacht and support vessel market segments. The Xplorer series (formerly SeaXplorer) and Yacht Support vessels complement Damen's existing Amels superyacht portfolio.Damen Yachting, the yacht-building division of Damen Shipyards Group, employs approximately 500 professionals across its Amels, SeaXplorer, and Yacht Support vessel programs. No purchase price was disclosed for the new build.Credits: Damen Yachting
August 20, 2025
Tureddi Group has sold the first superyacht under its recently established Tureddi Yachts brand. The 36-meter Azzurra is currently under construction with delivery scheduled for 2027. Worth Avenue Yachts brokered the sale and will provide project management during construction.The steel and aluminum yacht features exterior design by Italian studio Giamboi Design and naval architecture by Dutch firm Van Oossanen Naval Architects. The interior designer remains undisclosed, described only as a "renowned international design house" by the shipyard.Project details remain confidential, though the yard references a "wide beam, generous volume and high-level specification" incorporating latest marine technologies. Worth Avenue Yachts' Europe managing partner Mathieu Bardon stated: "This sale represents an incredible collaboration between all parties involved, supported by the trust of the buyer through a long-standing relationship."The sale marks Tureddi Group's transition from component supplier to independent yacht builder after 40 years in the marine industry. Company president Alessandro Tureddi noted the significance of this milestone for the family-owned business.The Italian shipyard recently expanded its portfolio with two new designs currently available for sale. Construction progresses at Tureddi's facility with the Azzurra representing the brand's inaugural superyacht project.Credits: Tureddi Group
August 19, 2025
William J. Healey, co-founder and former president of Viking Yacht Company, passed away on August 14, 2025 at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, New Jersey. He was 97 years old.Healey established Viking Yacht Company with his late brother Robert T. Healey Sr. on April 1, 1964, building the New Gretna-based operation into a leading manufacturer in the recreational marine industry. Under his leadership, the company became known for its luxury yacht production and innovative workplace practices.Healey maintained direct relationships with employees, personally greeting workers by name as they left the factory each evening. He implemented comprehensive employee benefits including an on-site health department providing free medical care to workers and their families.The industrialist pioneered several manufacturing advancements, including a tri-generation facility for power generation, wastewater treatment systems, and early adoption of computer numerical control technology. He oversaw installation of solar panels on company buildings and invested in advanced manufacturing equipment including a $1 million five-axis CNC router.Healey retired in October 2013, succeeded by his son Patrick, but maintained regular presence at the New Gretna facility. His brother and co-founder Robert Healey Sr., who led the successful campaign to repeal the federal luxury tax on yachts, predeceased him in 2021.Viking Yacht Company continues operations under family leadership, maintaining its position in the luxury yacht market. The company's New Jersey facility remains one of the largest yacht manufacturing operations in the United States.Credits: Viking Yacht
August 19, 2025