Oceanco Works To Raise Sustainability Standards

As an innovation designer at the Dutch superyacht builder Oceanco, Wim Verhoeff works on many of the largest and most expensive superyachts in the world. In fact, Oceanco’s most recent builds—Bravo Eugenia, Black Pearl and DreAMBoat—have already won critical acclaim and become some of the most recognizable yachts in the world .

But it was only after we’d sped down a mountain as part of the Blue Marine Foundation’s annual London to Monaco bike ride recently that I learned from Verhoeff that Oceanco is working hard to help people and the environment along with building some of the largest yachts in the world. The management of the company has committed significant resources to building superyachts with innovative sustainable features to help minimize their ecological impact.

One of the most obvious ways they have done that is to build yachts that are more fuel efficient like the sleek 357-foot-long Bravo Eugenia that was launched earlier this year.

Bravo Eugenia, Oceanco’s first LIFE-designed yacht, developed in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects, is characterized by its Lengthened waterline, Innovative layout, Fuel-efficient hull design and integration of Ecologically conscious technologies. With the LIFE design, the yacht has a single tier engine room—a rarity in large yachts. This configuration creates a slender elegance to the yacht and, at the same time, leads to a reduction in the overall demand for propulsion power, thus making the yacht consume less fuel. Furthermore, the unique machinery layout affords additional room for lifestyle areas— particularly on the lower deck, where space is usually restricted.

Bravo Eugenia has an optimized hybrid propulsion system, new heat and energy-recovery systems, and integrated battery systems to allow for optimal operation at all times. Not only are these pioneering systems extremely powerful, the yacht is also environmentally friendly, boasting a reduction in fuel usage of up to 30 percent.

And it’s hard to be more than fuel efficient than the 350-foot long Black Pearl that features three 230-foot tall carbon fiber masts designed Dykstra Naval Architects. In addition to the significant “green power of the wind” the sails create, the yacht also has a hybrid propulsion system and an innovative systems for waste heat recovery and green power generation.

Since her recent launch, Black Pearl has won numerous awards (in addition to claiming the title of “largest sailing yacht in the world), and her unique features like the DynaRig system, single level engine room, a hybrid propulsion point the way to a whole new generation of superyachts that value sustainability as highly as luxury.

Meanwhile, the 295-foot-long DreAMBoat that was designed in collaboration between Espen Øino International and Terence Disdale Design features large windows that flood the interior with daylight and offer unspoiled views from the inside out. “The overall effect,” says Øino, “is a yacht with clean uncluttered lines and a coherent design.” And in a way, DreAMBoat is why Oceanco has sent a full team of cyclists to ride from London to Monaco help raise money to save the world’s oceans.

“The London to Monaco ride fits perfectly into Oceanco’s corporate social responsibility goals,” said Verhoeff when I asked him why Oceanco is such a big supporter of the Blue Marine Foundation’s efforts to protect critical ocean ecosystems from overfishing and other systemic problems.

“Our cycling team is here because we want to really make a difference. And the only real way to do that is by raising awareness and taking action. The London to Monaco ride and the Blue Marine Foundation do a great job of doing that. And we want to do our part.”

And it seems to be working. The ride has already raised more than it has ever before—over $500,000 and counting. And the riders still have to cycle through most of southern France to make it to the start of the Monaco Yacht Show next week.

Stay tuned for more.