Dutch superyacht builder Heesen Yachts is proud to showcase the 50-metre Project Orion — the latest hybrid yacht in the Heesen fleet. With the superyacht industry working towards a more sustainable future, Project Orion marks an exciting next step for Heesen, combining engineering, technical expertise, and sustainable material choices to reduce environmental impact.
Scheduled for delivery in Q1 2025, the yacht is crafted from lightweight aluminium to minimise weight, which, combined with hybrid-electric propulsion, will allow her to cruise silently and use only 45 litres of fuel per hour at speeds of up to 10 knots. This marks a 30% reduction compared to a motor yacht of this size powered by traditional diesel engines.
Project Orion is the third in Heesen’s advanced 50-metre FDHF aluminium series with hybrid propulsion and is available for sale. Heesen is proud to have been at the forefront of developing hybrid technology and, in 2017, delivered Home, the world’s first fast displacement superyacht equipped with hybrid propulsion. The yacht, which gained fame on the TV reality show Below Deck, has proved to be a highly successful charter yacht.
The Luxury of Silence
As well as being ultra-efficient, the hybrid engine allows the yacht to cruise in virtual silence. When cruising in hybrid mode, the noise level sits at approximately 46 decibels — the equivalent of the sound of softly falling rain — so guests can experience the environment in total tranquillity. It also means that the yacht can move locations without disturbing guests on board.
“Building yachts with a reduced environmental impact is part of our long-term strategy,” explains Mark Cavendish, chief commercial officer at Heesen. “Following the success of charter yacht Home, we see that increasingly more clients appreciate Heesen’s hybrid solutions, especially due to their quietness.”
The sound of silence was one of the factors that led the owner of the recently delivered Cinderella Noel IV to opt for Heesen’s hybrid-propulsion technology on their custom yacht. The owner and his family are now enjoying this functionality while exploring the fjords of Norway and Scandinavia.
Design Ethos
Project Orion features a striking outline, penned by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, including a near-vertical bow and floor-to-ceiling windows. Italian designer Cristiano Gatto has created a contemporary interior, which an owner would be able to personalise further upon purchasing the project.
The interior plans created by Gatto are designed to create “a cosy and comfortable luxury lifestyle on board” while also adhering to the yacht’s sustainable-focused credentials. “We conduct a lot of research into the materials we use. For example, we use leather that is certified from the food industry because it is a product that would otherwise be thrown away,” explains Gatto.
Other standout features on board include a large swim platform that is easily connected to a sauna and gym area, an expansive sundeck, and an impressive light-filled master suite, with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Commitment to the Future
As part of Heesen’s commitment to a more sustainable future, it is one of the first yachting brands to adopt the Yacht Environmental Transparency Index (YETI). This methodology evaluates a yacht’s environmental impact across more than 30 different criteria, resulting in a YETI score. When Project Orion is delivered next year, she will have one of the best YETI scores for a motor yacht.
“The yacht industry is constantly investing in new technologies and solutions for a more sustainable future. Alternative fuels like methanol and hydrogen, although promising, will take time to become available in sufficient quantities and require major technical modifications to the design of yachts. Project Orion is one of the most efficient yachts currently available on the market and will be on the water from next year,” adds Cavendish.
