Damen Yachting Signs Full Custom 72m Expedition Yacht

The Owner is said to have a personal interest in superyacht design, and has selected Michael Leach for the exterior styling to complement the interior design. Damen Yachting’s in-house architecture team will undertake the naval architecture and advanced hybrid engineering of the yacht. 

“This hybrid expedition vessel is an absolutely unique project,” says Managing Director Rose Damen. “For us it has been very exciting to bring the Owner’s very unique vision to reality. We are dedicated to developing more efficient propulsion and power management solutions for our clients, which are underpinned by an environmentally sensitive mind-set. We are proud to be at the forefront of a new breed of luxury expedition vessels and this highly innovative new project embodies this approach.’’

For the nascent Damen Yachting brand, which saw its official brand launch just last year after many years of operating under the ‘Damen Shipyards’ umbrella, the project is a perfect opportunity to flex its sustainable building prowess. The yacht’s unique zero-emission cruising will be achieved by a highly efficient power and propulsion package. In addition to the two main engines, the 72m will be fitted with PTO/PTI hybrid electrical drives suitable for cruising up to 8 knots. This is bolstered by significant onboard battery power for normal use including overnight at anchor. Extended zero-emission silent cruising in fragile marine systems can be guaranteed by containerised battery packs to increase stored power onboard. Even the teak decking onboard has been replaced with a synthetic alternative. 

Commercial Executive Jan van Hogerwou comments, “We have been able to apply many of the sustainable technologies that the Damen Shipyards Group has developed for a wide variety of maritime applications. But first and foremost, she is purpose-built for comfort, reliability and performance for an Owner with the goal of taking the utmost advantage of these qualities to explore new places in some of the most challenging waters in the world.’’

As with Damen Yachting’s flagship SeaXplorer vessels, there will be no compromise on luxury or the ‘superyacht status’ of the 72m expedition yacht. The yacht will feature plenty of adaptable outdoor spaces, for socialising as well as tender and toy storage. The dedicated Owners deck, VIP cabin and touch and go helipad are just a few of the highlights onboard the exceptional project. There is accommodation for up to 24 crew members onboard, including staff and specialists for cruising in remote regions. There will also be a powerful deck crane capable of lifting equipment up to 14 tonnes, including a 13-metre fast RIB, 9-metre utility craft and a car. 

International brokerage house Burgess represented the Owner during the purchase process, and will also be project managing the construction over the next three years.

Edmund Beckett, Burgess New Construction said, “This project perfectly represents the seamless teamwork between the sales and new construction team within Burgess, and we are very proud and excited to continue this journey with the Owner, Damen Yachting and Michael Leach Design.”

The 72m custom project will be completed entirely at Damen Yachting’s Vlissingen facility in the Netherlands. This is the first full custom project to be built under the Damen Yachting name, a brand traditionally associated with the SeaXplorer and Yacht Support ranges. We look forward to seeing whether the 72m will mark a new chapter for Damen Yachting into full custom builds, drawing on the pedigree of its past. The steel hull will be built in cooperation with Damen Yachting’s commercial sister company, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding.