Oceanco Delivers 111m Leviathan: Gabe Newell’s New Superyacht

When a 111-metre vessel completes sea trials off Stellendam, the industry takes notice. When that vessel is Leviathan—owned by Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve and the new owner of Oceanco—the launch becomes something more than a milestone. It is the first major delivery under the shipyard’s new leadership, and the result reflects a production process shaped from the inside out.

A Build Driven by Collaboration

From the early stages, the project departed from the standard large-yacht playbook. Newell, Oceanco’s team, the crew, and co-makers worked together as a single group, shaping systems, materials, and workflows in parallel. Newell notes that the process was “fun,” but the structural implications are substantial: decisions were made with direct input from the people who would eventually run the yacht.

Oceanco CEO Marcel Onkenhout describes this integration as the defining feature of the build. It meant discarding certain conventions—teak decks, wooden handrails, and other high-maintenance elements—in favour of composite materials and full-height glass bulkheads that reduce upkeep while maintaining visual continuity. Interior surfaces follow the same logic: honed stone and natural wool carpets were selected because they endure heavy use and minimise repetitive maintenance.

For a yacht of this scale, these choices affect daily operations far more than they affect styling. They reduce labour hours, simplify long-term care, and free the crew to focus on running the vessel rather than preserving it.

Engineering Focused on Function

Leviathan carries a diesel-electric power plant supported by a battery-based energy storage system, enabling extended periods of low-noise, emission-free operation. The yacht also incorporates an advanced wastewater-treatment system aligned with high environmental standards—another indication that the project prioritised long-term, real-world use over showmanship.

The naval architecture was completed by Oceanco and Lateral Naval Architects. Interiors were developed by Mark Berryman, known for projects that balance practicality with a restrained, technical approach. The layout supports team-oriented activities and scientific work onboard, echoing earlier remarks from the yard about the yacht’s planned research capabilities and its “convention-defying” arrangement.

Recognition for the People Behind the Build

A glass panel on the main staircase lists the names of more than 2,000 people who contributed to the yacht. It is not decorative; it embodies the spirit of the project. Newell considered each contributor as vital to the final product.

This attitude is in line with Oceanco's own characterization of Newell as a "hands-on visionary" who appreciates craftsmanship and the people who make it happen. The build illustrates that mentality at every level, from processes to material choices to operational planning.

A Shipyard Beginning a New Chapter

Oceanco will change under Newell but Leviathan provides a concrete glimpse of the direction it will take. Rather than pursuing visual extremes or record-breaking features, this project focuses on operational efficiency, the wellbeing of the crew, and long-term use—areas in which many large-yacht builders have recently been pressured to respond.

In Leviathan, Oceanco has brought forth a yacht which is shaped not by the vision of one person, but rather the vision of all. To the yard, and to the wider market, Leviathan represents a marker: collaboration, practicality, and purpose can describe a flagship and be as important as dimensions and spectacle.

Photos: Oceanco

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