Oceanco
{{Short description|Custom yacht builder}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Oceanco
| logo = OC-2000x2000pix.jpg
| type = Private
| genre =
| foundation =
| founder =
| location_city = Alblasserdam
| location_country = Netherlands
| location =
| key_people = Mohammed Al Barwani; Marcel Onkenhout
| area_served =
| industry = Shipbuilding
| products = Megayachts
| services =
| revenue =
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| net_income =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| owner = Mohammed Al Barwani
| homepage = [http://www.oceancoyacht.com/ oceancoyacht.com]
| dissolved =
| footnotes =
}}
Oceanco is a privately owned custom yacht builder, based in the Netherlands, that has been building full displacement yachts in the {{convert|80|m|feet|adj=on}} range since 1987. It is owned by Mohammed Al Barwani, an Omani billionaire.{{cite web|title=Mohammed Al Barwani|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/mohammed-al-barwani/|website=Forbes|accessdate=17 November 2015}}
History
Oceanco came into existence in 1987, when a group of South African private investors, under the guidance of then-CEO Richard Hein, began yacht building. The hulls and superstructures were built in Durban, South Africa. The yachts were then transported to various facilities in the Netherlands, where the finishing work took place.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
In 2002, Theodore Angelopoulos took control of Oceanco. He embarked on a new building strategy focusing on the niche market of 80m+ megayachts and developed the "Y Generation" of Oceanco yachts, which included Amevi (Y701), an {{convert|80|m|ft|abbr=on}} and Alfa Nero (Y702) {{convert|82|m|ft|abbr=on}}. {{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
In 2008, the {{convert|75.50|m|ft|abbr=on}} Anastasia was launchedIn 2018, the yacht was sold and renamed Wheels. and in May 2009, the company launched the {{convert|85.47|m|ft|abbr=on}} Vibrant Curiosity with her amidships atrium, a {{convert|7|m|ft|abbr=on}} pool and large interior volumes designed by Nuvolari & Lenard.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}
In March 2010, Mohammed Al Barwani, a private investor based in the Sultanate of Oman, acquired Oceanco. Marcel Onkenhout, who had been with the company for 20 years, served as the CEO.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
Oceanco delivered Sunrays, an {{convert|85.50|m|ft|abbr=on}} megayacht, in March 2010. The late Björn Johansson designed her exterior lines, and the interior design is by Terence Disdale. She was succeeded by the {{convert|86|m|ft|abbr=on}} Nuvolari & Lenard designed Man of Steel (ex-Seven Seas), delivered in November 2010. The Sam Sorgiovanni designed {{convert|88.50|m|ft|abbr=on}} Nirvana was delivered in spring 2012, followed by St. Princess Olga (renamed Amore Vero){{Cite web|url=https://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/luxury-charter-yacht-25087/amore-vero.htm|title=AMORE VERO Yacht - OceanCo}} at {{convert|85.60|m|ft|abbr=on}} in 2013,
Equanimity at {{convert|91.50|m|ft|abbr=on}} in 2014 and
Infinity at {{convert|88.50|m|ft|abbr=on}} in 2015.
{{As of|2018}}, the largest yacht built by Oceanco was Jubilee (in 2017 renamed Kaos).{{Cite web| url=https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/jubilee| title=Jubilee|website=www.superyachttimes.com| language=en| access-date=2018-12-12}} In 2018, the yard launched "Project Bravo,"{{Cite web|url=https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/project-bravo-yacht-sea-trials|title=In Focus: 109m Oceanco project Bravo in action |website=www.superyachttimes.com |language=en|access-date=2018-12-12}} a 109 m superyacht.
The company operates in its extended production facility (a total of 8.2 ha) located in Alblasserdam, approximately 20 km from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The yard has almost unrestricted direct access via the inland waterway system to the North Sea.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Oceanco has built 29 custom superyachts up to 117 m in length.{{as of when?|date=March 2022}} Several 100 m+ yachts are currently under construction. The company can simultaneously build five yachts in the 80 m+ category (at various stages of design, engineering and construction), delivering approximately two superyachts per year. In 2008, the company acquired more land adjacent to the present yard, and in 2010, it set about demolishing the old buildings and slips to make way for a new covered dry dock, which now allows it to construct yachts up to 140 metres.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
In 2022, Oceanco was building a {{convert|417|feet|m|adj=on}}, $500 million schooner for Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon. Oceanco asked for permission to temporarily remove the middle span of a historic bridge in Rotterdam known as "De Hef", so that the yacht could sail out to sea. The proposal touched off a public outcry, with citizens threatening to throw eggs and tomatoes at the vessel as it passed, and Oceanco withdrew the request in June 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/29/business/bezos-yacht-rotterdam.html|title=The Country That Wants to ‘Be Average’ vs. Jeff Bezos and His $500 Million Yacht|last=Segal|first=David|date=29 July 2022|work=The New York Times|access-date=8 August 2022}}
Oceanco maintains a sales, design, marketing and communications office in Monaco.[https://www.oceancoyacht.com/contact/ www.oceancoyacht.com/contact]
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|OceAnco}}
- {{official website|http://www.oceancoyacht.com/}}