What happens when a yard reuses 60 per cent of an old hull – and still earns new-build classification? From seized yacht to €295M showstopper on the market, Oceanco's 105.3-metre H3 is one of the most radical transformations in superyacht history. BOAT explores five of the most dramatic changes that took the yacht for sale from relic to record-breaker.
When the 95-metre Indian Empress was snapped up at auction in Malta, few could have predicted she would emerge as H3, a brand-new 105.3-metre rebuild now listed as the second most expensive superyacht on the market with Edmiston. Overseen by Oceanco and designed by Reymond Langton, the transformation was so comprehensive that Lloyd’s Register classifies H3 as a new build.
But behind the headlines and the new silhouette lies an even more radical story: a rethink of how yachts are made – and remade. From design to propulsion, every aspect of the rebuild was guided by efficiency, longevity and carbon transparency, offering a rare look into what future-facing refits could look like at the very top end of the market.
The carbon cost of a comeback
While her new silhouette may steal the headlines, it’s the quiet eco-conscious milestones behind H3 that matter most. Rather than scrapping Indian Empress entirely, Oceanco retained around 60 per cent of the yacht’s original structure, including the steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This saved an estimated 50 per cent of the total carbon footprint typically generated during a new build.
This decision wasn’t made lightly. The project was informed by a full lifecycle assessment (LCA), a tool Oceanco developed in partnership with a certified Dutch sustainability firm. The tool lets owners and designers calculate the environmental cost of every design choice, from propulsion to materials like wood veneers or stone.
H3’s new engines also support hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a renewable biofuel made from waste oils that drastically reduces operational emissions. So clean is the fuel that it flips the traditional emissions equation: previously, around 90 per cent of a yacht’s lifetime emissions came from operation; now, the biggest chunk comes from the build itself. The yacht is a striking example of upcycling and forward-thinking in a sector increasingly under pressure to decarbonise.
1. A new look, literally
From the flat-deck, military-styled Indian Empress to Reymond Langton’s sculpted, curved superstructure and floor-to-ceiling glass, H3 is visually unrecognisable from her former self. "There wasn’t a curve on the original yacht. We made it a piece of sculpture," Andrew Langton told BOAT in its 2023 yacht report.
Read the feature here2. Lengthened and light-filled
Her LOA jumped from 95 metres to 105 metres, allowing for an expansive infinity pool, spa-level aft decks and a winter garden dining area for 32 guests. The yacht’s glass area alone expanded from 220 square metres to 392 square metres, nearly doubling the natural light on board.
BOATPro key facts
Length: 105.3m
Builder: Oceanco
Exterior designers: Oceanco and Reymond Langton Design
Naval architects: Lateral Naval Architects, Oceanco
Interior designer: Reymond Langton Design
Previous Names:Al Mirqab, Indian Empress, Neom, H
3. Eco-friendly engines and efficiency
Three older MTUs (6,720kW each) were replaced with two cleaner, more efficient engines (2,823kW each). The result: significantly lower emissions, over 1,000 extra nautical miles of cruising range and an estimated 2,000 tonnes of carbon saved.
And crucially, the engines are compatible with HVO fuel, which is a key step toward reducing operational emissions without compromising performance.
4. Fewer guests, more space
Originally accommodating 32 guests, H3 now carries just 20, with more generous guest areas, more crew and more space per person. Her VIP suite rivals many owners' decks, reflecting the yacht’s new focus on ultra-luxury rather than high occupancy.
5. From car lift to beach club
Gone is the barely used garage for two cars. In its place: a serious beach club, tender garages, and water toy storage. The refit swaps a novelty feature for a versatile lifestyle hub that better suits today’s owners.
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