The 2014 World Superyacht Awards take place in Amsterdam on 3 May, 2014, and a prestigious group of five of the world’s leading shipyards based in The Netherlands are pleased to offer guests of the Awards tours of their impressive shipyard facilities on the days surrounding the gala evening.
In addition to exclusive access to the yacht building facilities, the World Superyacht Awards Event Partners invite guests to join a generous hospitality programme including fabulous lunches, yacht tours and much more. Shipyard tours will run concurrently on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 May, 2014. Due to time constraints and the distances between the yards, guests will need to select one yard tour per day. Yard tours are available only guests of the World Superyacht Awards with a valid ticket for the gala evening. Details on each yard participating and what the tour will entail can be found below can be found below.
Amels - Friday 2 May and Saturday 3 May
At the largest superyacht facility in The Netherlands, you’ll see no less than five 55m+ new builds at various stages of completion. Amels’ project managers will guide you through the production process at the heart of modern Dutch high-value yachtbuilding, before treating you to a lunch of local seafood specialties in a uniquely memorable location. You’ll gain insight into Amels’ Limited Editions – versions of all five Tim Heywood designs up to the 83m Amels 272 are currently in the build process. Although the largest yacht won’t be on show, you’ll see the Amels 212 in the final stages of completion and subsequent designs of two World Superyacht Awards 2014 finalists, Amels 199 Event (right) and the Amels 180 Engelberg.
Feadship - Friday 2 May and Saturday 3 May
Feadship’s Henk de Vries and Dick van Lent invite owners and industry friends to enjoy exclusive tours that will reveal how some of the world’s finest custom motoryachts are created. Recognising that owners may be travelling to Amsterdam for the first time, the Owners’ Tour combines an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a Feadship yard – where visitors will see the latest yachts at various stages of construction, watch the expert craftsmen hard at work and meet the personnel at the front line of their daily operations – with a special cruise aboard a classic saloon boat, champagne tasting and delicious lunch prepared by a three-star Michelin restaurant.
Heesen - Friday 2 May
Founded by Frans Heesen in 1978 in Oss, Heesen Yachts was the first Dutch shipyard to employ aluminium alloy for the building of yacht hulls. Since then the yard has become a world leader in the design, engineering and construction of high performance, all-aluminium motor yachts. In 1992, Heesen Yachts expanded their business to include the construction of traditional displacement, long-range steel-hulled yachts, and today the company can also deliver magnificent superyachts up to 70 metres and beyond. Twelve yachts are currently in construction at the Heesen yard and their deliveries span through to 2016.
Holland Jachtbouw - Saturday 3 May
Holland Jachtbouw has an excellent superior reputation for top quality build of innovative custom projects. The J Class Rainbow proved her worth as a shining example of Holland Jachtbouw’s outstanding success by claiming multiple awards in 2013 including a World Superyacht Award in the Sailing Yachts 39m+ category. Guests joining the Holland Jachtbouw tour will enjoy a delightful saloon boat trip and lunch aboard the “Dame van Amstel”, a tour of the shipyard, an introduction to the new facilities and some exclusive previews of current and future projects, including a 46 metre Tripp designed sloop, with delivery scheduled for Autumn 2015.
Royal Huisman - Friday 2 May and Saturday 3 May
Founded in 1884, Royal Huisman continues under fifth generation family ownership, blending a passion for perfection with a commitment to technological innovation and improvement. Its purpose-built 30,000m2 facility houses an extraordinary range of equipment, skills and services. Offering complete in-house capabilities from design and development through after-sales care, Royal Huisman dovetails its own skills and resources with a worldwide network of external maritime specialists to create a bespoke resource tailored to each project. Located in picturesque Vollenhove, Royal Huisman invite guests to discover why their yachts continue to surpass expectation.
All tours are subject to availability and an application process. Admittance is at the discretion of the hosting yard. The closing date for yard tour applications is Friday 18 April, 2014.
There are a very limited number of tables and tickets remaining at the World Superyacht Awards 2014 gala evening. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to attend the most prestigious prize giving in the superyacht calendar and join a weekend of fun and networking opportunities in Amsterdam.