Gabe Newell outlines vision for Oceanco at the Monaco Yacht Show

Gabe Newell, the technologist and founder of gaming giant Valve Corporation, has spoken publicly for the first time about his role at Oceanco during the Monaco Yacht Show 2025, setting out a vision that focuses on collaboration, quality and long-term value rather than immediate change.

Newell recalled that his involvement with Oceanco began not as an investor, but as a client, during the design and build of the 111-metre yacht Leviathan. “When you’re building a yacht with Oceanco, it’s a very collaborative and enjoyable process – they make you feel like you are part of the team,” he said, adding that conversations with Oceanco chairman Dr Mohammed Barwani and CEO Marcel Onkenhout gradually evolved into a deeper commitment.

Newell stressed that his entry into the business is about supporting existing priorities rather than reshaping strategy. “Initially, my involvement is just about supporting the things the organisation already knew it wanted to do,” he said.

One of those priorities has been the recent acquisition of Dutch systems integrator Alewijnse, which now sits alongside Oceanco, Lateral, Mercury and Aluship within the Oceanco Group. The move, Newell explained, is part of a wider effort to create “more integration and closer collaboration across industries”.

In the longer term, Newell suggested that his background in technology may influence Oceanco’s development. “Just about everything I've been involved in over the years has moved some aspect of technology forward in a way that benefits customers,” he said. While he envisages exploring new innovations, for now, Newell underlined the importance of “supporting what Oceanco already does brilliantly”.

Newell also spoke from the unusual dual perspective of being both a shareholder and a client. “We are a customer-focused yacht builder,” he said, pointing to ambitions around projects that not only push design but also prioritise crew experience, building on the approach taken with Leviathan.

“What gets me out of bed in the morning is doing work that communities value,” he concluded. “I care enormously about being someone who can add value to the yachting community, so entering this world is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. At this stage, I feel very much part of the team and see how we can be a force for good in the industry.”