Dutch shipyard Heesen Yachts has announced that it has laid the keel of a new 56-metre superyacht known as Project Kansei. The new build marks the first from the yard's anniversary edition - her launch scheduled in October 2028 to coincide with Heesen’s 50th jubilee. Delivery is expected in Q1 of 2029.
The ceremony took place earlier this month at Talsma, the yard’s partner for steel hull fabrication in the northern Netherlands, with Heesen CEO Jeroen van der Meer placing a 1978 coin in the keel to honour the shipyard’s founding year. "Project Kansei serves as a bridge between the solid past of our shipyard and the new philosophical direction we embrace," said van der Meer.
The name Kansei is derived from the Japanese concept of anticipating emotional needs and designing for human sensibility, chosen to reflect Heesen's pillars of "human, health and happiness". With the 56-metre, the yard returned to long-standing collaborator Omega Architects to realise the exterior design and Luca Dini Design and Architecture for the interiors - all centred around providing an environment built around wellbeing.
As such, Project Kansei has been drawn to reflect the philosophy through progressive spatial planning, tactile materials and a serene onboard atmosphere. Notable design choices include backlit rice paper, raffia ceilings and a number of living spaces across the yacht's estimated 760GT which are both open and protected.
The layout is described by the yard as "challeng[ing] traditional superyacht conventions"; the main deck aft features a dedicated gym and a yoga floor which flows into a terrace with a juice bar, while the lower deck below offers a wellness area functioning as an "experience room". Here, guests can enjoy flush floors, generous skylights, a sauna, hammam and a shower integrating snow, mist and water.
Social areas comprise formal dining on the bridge deck with an indoor bar and a live cooking station and an advanced AV/IT system offering customisable entertainment on the sundeck. Accommodation, meanwhile, is for 12 guests across a six-cabin layout. Heesen Interiors, the yard’s carpentry factory in Winterswijk, will execute the design to Northern European standards.
According to the yard, Project Kansei stands as a culmination of learning from its previous 55-metre series, building upon its steel platform via continuous operational feedback from owners, captains and engineering across the existing Heesen fleet. The yacht therefore features practical enhancements, including a one-metre swim platform extension and the addition of a transformer for easy water access.
Construction of Project Kansei is underway on speculation, with clients offered the opportunity to customise the yacht's interior in the early stages of her build.
Power will be from twin MTU 8V 4000 M63 engines, set to deliver a top speed of 15.5 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 12 knots. Key specs include a 9.6-metre beam and a 2.7-metre draught.
Exclusive data from BOATPro reveals Heesen to have nine yachts currently under development, including the 57-metre full-custom yacht known as Project Setteesettanta, which was launched from its facilities in Oss last week.
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