New Elan at Dutch Superyacht Yards

The Netherlands evolved to be the world’s second largest producer of luxury yachts overw 30 metres of length, counting by number of orders and of cumulated overall length of yachts built. It is the yards that do it. Judging by the example of the recently accelerated ambitions of Jongert and Oceanco, the Dutch superyacht industry is more lively than ever.

Delivering a yachting experience to clients is the shared approach of the two yards that prove exemplary for the strong position of the Dutch in the world market of large yachts. Round the clock service and after sales with bright understanding of the customer’s needs, among other, are immanent qualities to be able to deliver yacht owners their untroubled experience. Combined with a good understanding of developments in the international yachting community and a strong sense of knowing where new groups of clients may be found, the service oriented yard proves competitive.

Oceanco: building for bigger

In the top of largest luxury yachts in the world, several Oceanco-built motor yachts have their ranking. Yet, the yard is gearing up to build even bigger yachts, by constructing a new dry dock that is capable of holding vessels up to 145 metres.

After the April 2010 management change, new owner Dr. Mohammed Al Barwani took his confidence in Oceanco’s solid reputation and capabilities as a starting point to set out for realising the yard’s full potential. He sees the yard being integrated in a quality driven industry chain. “Here in Holland, everything
fits together well”, he remarked in a Superyacht Business interview. “System integration, well fitted interiors and everything aboard working well. Capable engineers and dedicated suppliers all strive to deliver beyond expectation. That is why Dutch yachts are better. Here at Oceanco, we hope to be able to reach new groups of potential buyers for yachts with our approach to custom yacht building and by providing excellent after sales and support”, Al Barwani speaks his ambition.

New construction hall

Plans for a new construction hall with adjacent offices, workshops and apartments at the Alblasserdam yard are ready for the construction phase. The dry dock, an overdomed hall with constant monitoring and regulation of temperature and humidity, will be able to host yachts up to 145 metres. One of the long sides of the rectangular hall will consist of a building, housing a thousand people involved with construction of the yacht at any time. Engineers, craftsmen and crew as well as visiting owners will have dedicated quarters in the building. Areas are separated, some having restricted access to ensure safety and privacy.

In spite of the plans to build even larger yachts, Al Barwani reflects: “I believe the size of a yacht is not as significant as how an owner is going to use it. Function should always govern a yacht’s build specification. My gut feeling is that there will be a move away from the ‘floating palaces’ of today, towards yachts that are more carefully constructed to become holiday resorts, spas and a fun place for family and business associates.” The new Oceanco owner joined the International Seakeepers Society, an environmental action group of yachtsmen. “I would like to see the superyacht industry develop by becoming more conscious of the environment in which these craft sail”, he states. As a result of this conviction, the 86.60 metre Y708, will carry an Environmental Protection notation, a certificate ensuring that emission reduction surpasses standard environmental protection rules. All Oceanco yachts will be supplied with Seakeeper monitors, gathering valuable data about microscopic life in waters around the world’s oceans.

Jongert: new brand positioning proves success

Benefiting extensive facilities with the VEKA group, Jongert Yachts is active in the market for large yachts with a wider perspective and regained confidence. The yard’s speciality of building aluminium and steel hulled sailing yachts expanded with the design, development and construction of motor yachts. “The Jongert brand name is strong and is of course associated with quality sailing yachts, acclaimed for comfort and reliability”, managing director Eel Kant assures. “A group of loyal customers advocate the distinguishing character of Jongert yachts. Yet, the market has changed. Following the huge numbers of orders for large yachts, as experienced industry-wide in the years from 2003 until 2007, the slowly recovering market now shows other trends and expectations from customers. Clients draw attention to ethical aspects. We think there is a demand for yachts, with green equipment and less extravagant outfitting. Clients for sailing yachts want more performance-orientated designs, allowing for occasional regatta sailing but offering comfort for family cruises. Sailing performance adds to swift ocean crossing, making time management easier for owner and crew.”

Prevailing the new Jongert approach has proven successful. Since the fourth quarter of 2011, the yard is working on contracts for three new yachts. Carrying out the new brand identity pay-off ‘The New Experience’ at Monaco Yacht Show, a 43 metre motor yacht and a 44 metre motor yacht were ordered. The latter, by design of Dubois Naval Architecture, has since been extended to 46.40 metres. At the following Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the yard signed a contract for a 34 metre extended version of the German Frers designed Jongert 3000M sailing yacht. Meanwhile, the yard has the construction going of a 42 metre motor yacht, a semi displacement yacht with classic exterior lines, styled by Dutch designer Guido de Groot and of naval architecture by Azure Naval Architects. The second yacht under construction is the first in a series of ‘Limited Editions’, the 50 metre Jongert 500LE-X. This design of Azure Naval Architects, styled by Guido de Groot offers innovative technology just under 500 gross tons.

Refits

The third construction hall at the Wieringerwerf facility houses sailing yacht Vivid, which is getting a major refit. Refits, like the one of Jongert 2900M Ameena last year, are actively promoted among yachtsmen looking for the quality approach of the Dutch yard. The yard expects to refit a classic Jongert yacht, next winter. Furthermore, the yard is ready to start constructing steel hulled yachts, as they did in their early years, building Trewes sailing boats. Providing direct service to clients in the Mediterranean, Jongert has opened sales, brokerage and customer support facilities in Golfe Juan, at the French Riviera, last fall. Kant is delighted with the level of know-how, dedication and customised technical support their technician at the Riviera delivers. “This man is always available and he can instantly make fittings for equipment, woodwork or repairs specially for our yachts.”

Repositioning the yard following the 2009 ownership change, Jongert has chosen a modernised approach. “We have opened our doors to outside designers and brokers. Although the Jongert engineering department and design team are still available, any stylist, naval architect or designer a client wishes to include in the project team for his yacht, is welcomed nowadays”, sales manager Simon Schermer assures.

30 to 50 metres

Overlooking the market in 2009, the yard chose to focus primarily on the segment of motor yachts in lengths from 40 up to 65 metres, as well as on sailing yachts from 30 metres up to 50 metres. “In the world market today, the majority of motor yachts stretches about 50 metres. Demand for yachts in this range is likely to endure. We have therefore started production of the Jongert 500 LE-X, a 50 metre Limited Edition motor yacht, customised on a pre-engineered platform. This yacht is powered by an innovative and emission reducing diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system. The yacht is just under the 500 GT limit, enabling short-crewed navigation and reducing cost of operations. Since the yacht’s naval engineering and technical lay-out is ready designed, we can start production fast and at attractive cost. I believe this kind of yacht may prove successful in today’s market”, Kant foresees. “In the sailing yacht world, yards that produce series of high- end composite yachts, are building in lengths up to 30 metres. Choosing an appropriate market segment for an exclusive luxury brand like Jongert, we decided to offer sailing yachts in the 30 to 50 metre range.”

Since Jongert joined the VEKA group of shipyards in 2009, yard capacity has become much more flexible. The Wieringerwerf facilities of Jongert are state-of-the-art, but if necessary, the yard can benefit from three other large yards in the Netherlands, a fourth in Poland and a fifth in the Czech Republic. This enables construction and refit activities for yachts up to 135 metres overall length. The VEKA group build ships for inland navigation as well as seagoing ships. The group’s cumulative knowledge has resulted in  the design of Undare, the hybrid power system that is applied at the Jongert 500 LE-X. This is the name of an integrated hybrid propulsion and onboard energy system. A series of diesel generators can be engaged to energy demand, providing power for electric pods for propulsion as well as live-aboard energy demand. A battery pack enables for zero-emission navigating at harbour entrance or at strolling mode. Provided the owner chooses to install enough battery capacity, even anchoring overnight can be done without the use of fuel-driven generators. Lighting, entertainment and basic air conditioning can last for the night. Once the yacht sets to the sea again, next morning, batteries will be recharged as the engines start running.

The yard will head towards East Asia in April 2012, participating at the Hainan Rendez-Vous in Sanya.

Hans Buitelaar