Oceanco

Oceanco is a Dutch custom superyacht builder specializing in large, full-displacement motor yachts and other highly bespoke vessels. The company was established in 1987 by a group of South African private investors led by Richard Hein. In its early operating model, hulls and superstructures were fabricated in Durban, South Africa, before being transported to the Netherlands for completion and finishing work. This cross-border production arrangement connected Oceanco with the Dutch maritime manufacturing base while allowing the business to develop experience in building large yachts. A major strategic change came in 2002, when Theodore Angelopoulos took control of the company. Under his ownership, Oceanco concentrated on the niche market for yachts of approximately 80 metres and above. This strategy produced a generation of large custom yachts, sometimes referred to as the company’s “Y Generation,” including Amevi and Alfa Nero. Oceanco subsequently developed a reputation for combining substantial scale with individualized naval architecture, exterior styling, interior design and onboard amenities. The company expanded its portfolio through a succession of large deliveries. Notable examples include Anastasia, Vibrant Curiosity, Sunrays, Man of Steel, Nirvana, Amore Vero, Equanimity and Infinity. These yachts were designed in collaboration with internationally recognized naval architects and design studios, including Nuvolari & Lenard, Terence Disdale and Sam Sorgiovanni. The projects demonstrated Oceanco’s ability to manage complex, highly customized vessels with features such as large interior volumes, atriums, swimming pools and extensive owner-specific layouts. Mohammed Al Barwani, an Omani private investor, acquired Oceanco in March 2010. Marcel Onkenhout, who had spent many years with the company, served as chief executive during the subsequent period of expansion and project delivery. Oceanco invested in its Alblasserdam site near Rotterdam, acquiring adjacent land and replacing older buildings and slips with a covered dry dock. The enlarged facilities provide direct access through the Dutch inland-waterway network to the North Sea and support the construction of yachts substantially larger than the company’s earlier vessels. Oceanco’s business encompasses concept development, naval architecture coordination, engineering, construction, interior completion and delivery of custom superyachts. Its extended production facility covers approximately 8.2 hectares, and the company has stated that it can have several yachts above 80 metres at different stages of design and construction simultaneously. The yard has built yachts reaching more than 100 metres, while its covered facilities are capable of accommodating projects up to approximately 140 metres. Oceanco also maintains a sales, design, marketing and communications office in Monaco. The builder attracted international attention in 2022 over a proposed temporary removal of the middle span of Rotterdam’s historic De Hef bridge to allow a very large yacht under construction to reach the sea. Public opposition led Oceanco to withdraw the request. The episode illustrated the logistical and civic challenges associated with constructing and moving exceptionally large yachts in densely developed Dutch waterways. In 2025, reports stated that Oceanco Group had acquired Dutch maritime systems integrator Alewijnse and had purchased a business complex in Zwijndrecht. The latter transaction was reported as adding approximately 13,400 square metres to the group’s facilities in the area. In August 2025, the company was reported to have come under the ownership of Gabe Newell, an American video-game developer and businessman. Oceanco remains positioned as a specialist in the upper end of the global custom superyacht industry, where projects are few in number, long in development and individually engineered rather than mass-produced.

Oceanco was founded in 1987 by South African private investors led by Richard Hein. The company initially used a distributed production model: large hulls and superstructures were built in Durban, while completion and finishing work took place at facilities in the Netherlands. This arrangement gave the young builder access to South African fabrication capacity and the established Dutch maritime supply chain. The company changed direction after Theodore Angelopoulos took control in 2002. Oceanco adopted a deliberate focus on the market for 80-metre-plus megayachts, a segment characterized by long development cycles, extensive owner customization and technically demanding construction. The resulting group of yachts included the 80-metre Amevi and the 82-metre Alfa Nero, helping establish Oceanco as a builder of large, individually commissioned vessels rather than a producer of standardized yacht models. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Oceanco delivered a series of prominent projects. Anastasia was launched in 2008, followed in 2009 by the 85.47-metre Vibrant Curiosity, which incorporated an amidships atrium, a seven-metre pool and unusually large interior spaces. Sunrays, an 85.50-metre yacht, was delivered in March 2010. The 86-metre Man of Steel followed in November 2010, and the 88.50-metre Nirvana was delivered in spring 2012. St. Princess Olga, later renamed Amore Vero, was delivered in 2013, followed by the 91.50-metre Equanimity in 2014 and the 88.50-metre Infinity in 2015. Mohammed Al Barwani acquired Oceanco in March 2010. Marcel Onkenhout, a long-serving company executive, was chief executive during this phase. The business also invested in its physical infrastructure. After acquiring adjacent land in 2008, Oceanco began demolishing older buildings and slips in 2010 to create a new covered dry dock. The expanded facility in Alblasserdam, around 20 kilometres from Rotterdam, has direct access to the Dutch inland-waterway system and the North Sea. The covered dock enables construction of yachts up to approximately 140 metres. By 2017, Jubilee was identified as Oceanco's largest completed yacht at that time; it was renamed Kaos in 2018. In the same year, the company launched the 109-metre Project Bravo. Oceanco has reported building dozens of custom superyachts, including vessels up to and beyond 100 metres, and has described a production model capable of handling several 80-metre-plus yachts at different design, engineering and construction stages. Oceanco became involved in a major public infrastructure controversy in 2022. The company sought permission to temporarily remove the middle span of De Hef, a historic bridge in Rotterdam, to permit the departure of an exceptionally large yacht. Public criticism included threats by residents to throw objects at the vessel, and Oceanco withdrew its request in June 2022. The incident highlighted the unusual transport and infrastructure requirements created by very large yacht construction in the Netherlands. The company continued to expand its industrial footprint and maritime capabilities in 2025. Reports said that Oceanco Group acquired Alewijnse, a Dutch maritime systems integrator, and purchased a business complex in Zwijndrecht that would add about 13,400 square metres to its facilities. In August 2025, Oceanco was reported to have been acquired by Gabe Newell. The group also maintains a Monaco office supporting sales, design, marketing and communications. Its core business remains the design coordination, engineering, construction and completion of bespoke superyachts for an international clientele.

1. 2025Reported expansion and ownership change

   Reports describe Oceanco Group's acquisition of Alewijnse, a Zwijndrecht property purchase, and Gabe Newell becoming the reported owner.

   Source
2. 2022De Hef bridge request is withdrawn

   After public opposition to a proposed temporary removal of part of Rotterdam's De Hef bridge, Oceanco withdraws its request.

   Source
3. 2018Project Bravo is launched

   Oceanco launches the 109-metre Project Bravo.

   Source
4. 2017Jubilee is completed

   Jubilee becomes the largest yacht built by Oceanco at that point; it is renamed Kaos in 2018.

   Source
5. 2015Infinity is delivered

   Oceanco delivers the 88.50-metre Infinity.

   Source
6. 2014Equanimity is delivered

   The 91.50-metre Equanimity is delivered, reinforcing Oceanco's position in the very-large-yacht segment.

   Source
7. 2012Nirvana is delivered

   Oceanco delivers the 88.50-metre Nirvana, designed externally by Sam Sorgiovanni.

   Source
8. 2010Ownership changes and facility expansion begins

   Mohammed Al Barwani acquires Oceanco, while the company begins replacing older yard structures with a covered dry dock for much larger yachts.

   Source
9. 2009Vibrant Curiosity is launched

   The 85.47-metre Vibrant Curiosity enters service with a large interior volume, an amidships atrium and a seven-metre pool.

   Source
10. 2008Anastasia is launched

    Oceanco launches the 75.50-metre Anastasia.

    Source
11. 2002Theodore Angelopoulos takes control

    The company adopts a strategy centered on the niche market for custom yachts of approximately 80 metres and above.

    Source
12. 1987Oceanco is founded

    A group of South African private investors led by Richard Hein establishes Oceanco, initially using Durban for hull and superstructure construction and the Netherlands for finishing work.

    Source

A premium, engineering-led builder of exceptionally large, one-off superyachts for globally wealthy private owners, emphasizing bespoke design, technical capability and Dutch maritime construction expertise.

• Custom full-displacement superyachtsSuperyachts1987

  Oceanco's core offering is the one-off, full-displacement superyacht. Each vessel is developed around an owner's requirements and combines custom naval architecture, engineering, exterior styling, interior design and systems integration. The company focuses particularly on very large yachts, including projects in the 80-metre-plus category and vessels exceeding 100 metres.

• Y GenerationLarge custom yachts2002

  The Y Generation describes a strategic group of large Oceanco yachts developed after the company shifted its focus toward the 80-metre-plus market. Amevi and Alfa Nero are associated with this generation and illustrate the combination of long-range displacement capability, large-scale accommodation and highly individualized design.

• 100-metre-plus yachtsUltra-large custom yachts2018

  Oceanco undertakes exceptionally large yacht projects, including the 109-metre Project Bravo and other reported vessels above 100 metres. These projects require specialized covered construction space, extensive systems engineering, complex logistics and coordination with multiple external designers and suppliers.

• Yacht completion and refit servicesMarine services1987

  The company's production model includes engineering, construction, finishing and completion work. Its Dutch facilities support large-scale fabrication and final integration, while its waterway access enables movement of completed or substantially completed yachts toward the North Sea.

• 2025Reported acquisition of AlewijnseM&A

  Oceanco Group sought to broaden its maritime engineering and systems capabilities.

  What changed. Reports stated that the group acquired Dutch maritime systems integrator Alewijnse.

  Aftermath. The reported transaction expanded Oceanco Group's connection to maritime electrical, automation and systems integration activities.

  Source
• 2022Withdrawal of the De Hef bridge-removal requestOther

  A very large yacht under construction required a route from Oceanco's inland yard to the North Sea, creating a conflict with Rotterdam's historic De Hef bridge.

  What changed. After strong public opposition, Oceanco withdrew its request to temporarily remove the bridge's central span.

  Aftermath. The withdrawal ended the immediate bridge dispute while drawing wider attention to the infrastructure and community issues associated with ultra-large yacht construction.

  Source
• 2010Construction of a new covered dry dockStrategy

  Oceanco needed larger and more modern facilities to support its expanding focus on very large yachts.

  What changed. The company demolished older buildings and slips and developed a covered dry dock within its expanded Alblasserdam site.

  Aftermath. The facility increased the yard's ability to construct yachts up to approximately 140 metres and improved its capacity to handle multiple large projects.

  Source
• 2002Focus on the 80-metre-plus yacht nicheStrategy

  After Theodore Angelopoulos took control, Oceanco sought to distinguish itself in the small but high-value market for very large custom yachts.

  What changed. The company concentrated its design and production strategy on yachts of approximately 80 metres and above, developing a related generation of large projects.

  Aftermath. The strategy led to a portfolio of major yachts including Amevi and Alfa Nero and established Oceanco as a specialist in the upper end of the superyacht market.

  Source

• 2025Oceanco Group reported to acquire Alewijnse

  Oceanco Group was reported to have acquired Alewijnse, a Dutch maritime systems integrator, broadening the group's maritime engineering and systems capabilities.

  M&A
  Source
• 2025Oceanco reported to purchase a Zwijndrecht business complex

  Oceanco was reported to have purchased a business complex in Zwijndrecht, adding approximately 13,400 square metres to its existing facilities in the area.

  M&A
  Source
• 2025Gabe Newell reported as Oceanco owner

  In August 2025, Oceanco was reported to have become owned by Gabe Newell, an American video-game developer and businessman.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2022Oceanco withdraws request to remove part of Rotterdam's De Hef bridge

  Oceanco withdrew a request to temporarily remove the central span of Rotterdam's historic De Hef bridge so that a very large yacht could travel from the shipyard to the North Sea. The proposal generated substantial public opposition.

  Other
  Source
• 2022Oceanco reported to be building a 127-metre yacht

  Reports identified Oceanco as the builder of a 127-metre schooner for Jeff Bezos, with an estimated reported project value of $500 million. The reported scale of the yacht was connected to the later bridge-access controversy.

  Other
  Source

1. Oceanco