Built on a heritage of world-class craftsmanship, Heesen has been delivering award-winning yachts for 40 years. Since the time its founding father Frans Heesen acquired the business in 1978, the shipyard has been characterised by constant innovation and an unrelenting focus on quality. The launch of 44m Octopussy in 1988 - the fastest superyacht in the world topping out at 53.17 knots – brought world-wide acclaim.
When Frans retired in 2012, one chapter closed, and another began. Since then, the once family-owned yard has gone on, in partnership with naval architects Van Oossanen, to pioneer hybrid propulsion, as well as the revolutionary FDHF hull, and the ultra-efficient Hull Vane®.
The year 2016 proved to be a turning point in Heesen’s history. It was the year the Dutch shipyard, renowned for its precision engineering, delivered its largest yacht to date – 70m Galactica Super Nova. It was also the year that Heesen completed a vast expansion of its facilities in Oss, the Netherlands; a new 85-metre dry dock, equipped with advanced features to create the best working environment possible.
2019 represents another milestone in the history of the company. On May 14, the keel of the mighty 80m full-aluminium Project Cosmos was laid. When launched, she will be the largest and fastest all aluminium yacht ever built with a top speed of almost 30 knots.
Heesen continues to grow today, acquiring additional sites and further investing in its interior furniture workshop, thereby increasing its capacity by 30 per cent.
The year 2020 was challenging for the whole world and the yachting industry. At Heesen, it proved that financial stability, coupled with dependable Dutch organisation and a passionate workforce is the key to success in times of hardship. Despite enforced global travel restrictions and the challenges set by working in shifts, Heesen delivered two superyachts and sold five new contracts. With events and in- person gatherings cancelled, Heesen launched YachtTalk, the world's first-ever talk show dedicated to the superyacht industry.
Heesen’s ability to quickly respond to market needs has been unequivocally proven over the years, but never more so than with the yard’s award-winning semi-custom platforms. The reduction in both production time and manufacturing costs has seen Heesen rise to the top of the 55-60m and 60-80m custom market.
A continued investment in research, the application of smart technology, and collaboration with leading designers and developers all contribute to keeping the brand one step ahead.
Although no longer a family business, Heesen has retained a family feel – something of a calling card for the 40-year-old Dutch yard – and is today one of the most advanced yacht-building facilities in the world.