“Leviathan” is the most comfortable yacht ever built by the Dutch yard.
Oceanco just delivered a game-changing gigyacht to a true game-changer. The 111-metre Leviathan was designed for billionaire gaming visionary Gabe Newell, who acquired the Dutch shipyard this past April. Newell, who forever changed the PC gaming industry by creating hits like Half-Life, cofounding Valve Corporation, and launching Steam, worked closely with the Oceanco team to create an ergonomic yacht that fosters teamwork and community. Think of it as WeWork with luxury levels dialed up to 11.
That collaboration started with the design and build. Newell joined forces with YTMC, Y.CO, the Oceanco Design team, Lateral Naval Architects, Mark Berryman Design, and thousands of designers, engineers, and other experts to bring his dream vessel to fruition. The names of the nearly 3,000 contributors are listed near the main staircase, in fact. “It is this level of collaboration that sets Leviathan apart from anything we’ve built before,” Oceanco CEO Marcel Onkenhout said in a statement.
That feeling of coming together extends to Berryman’s interior, with the layout designed to combine guests and crew rather than separate them. This reflects Newell’s belief that a yacht should feel like a community and be enjoyable for all. To that end, locations that are typically reserved for guests are also open to the crew. A space on the bridge deck that would normally house an aft salon has been outfitted with a communal gaming lounge featuring 15 gaming stations, two race simulators, and comfy seating. Similarly, the main deck salon has been transformed into a spacious communal dining area for up to 54 people. (There is accommodation for up to 26 guests and 37 crew onboard.) Everyone can also access leisure areas, like the basketball court and the sundeck with a whirlpool.
“We knew we were asking for unusual things, and Oceanco embraced it with open arms,” Newell explains. “Not only have we designed a very unusual yacht that leans into Oceanco’s strengths of innovation and design, but the team has also been willing to collaborate with us on evolving the process.”
Huge efforts were made to reduce noise and vibration, thereby creating a pleasant onboard environment. The hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system is whisper-quiet, and the engine room is positioned further forward to reduce noise. The built-in battery bank also allows for silent nighttime operation. “We’re incredibly proud of the way she was developed, and following her successful sea trials, we can now say she’s the most comfortable yacht ever designed, built, and delivered by Oceanco,” adds Onkenhout.
Leviathan is also incredibly low-maintenance. The off-white exterior and synthetic handrails require less cleaning, for example. That means the crew can spend less time on routine maintenance and more time on more important tasks. “We adopted a crew-centric approach that really digs into how Leviathan is operated and maintained,” explains Newell. “By increasing crew productivity, we can enable them to focus more on engaging with guests and creating meaningful experiences for everyone.”
Leviathan is the latest addition to Newell’s Inkfish fleet and will be used to further scientific research in the marine sector. Occupying the place of the standard beach club is a fully equipped dive center, laboratory, and a hospital. There’s even a 3-D printing workshop where the crew can create spare or replacement parts. “Yachts have great potential to serve as platforms for scientific research,” adds Newell. “It’s about recognizing that you’re part of a broader community and ensuring the yacht’s presence adds value to the communities around it.”
