Bring on 2021 – Heesen’s year of the Gold Ox!

Here at Heesen we are anticipating Chinese New Year with more than the usual enthusiasm. Starting in February, 2021 will be the Year of the Ox, an animal which has a special resonance both for Heesen and for our home town of Oss, which is Dutch for ‘ox’ the monumental steel sculpture at the entrance to the city reminds us.

The ox is a symbol of hard work and dependability, and these are just some of the traits that characterise our 500 employees and our additional, 500-strong flexible workforce. Thanks to the resilience, commitment and passion of Heesen’s women and men, who adapted to new ways of working imposed by the pandemic, we have emerged from 2020 stronger and better.

Also, according to the five elements of the Chinese zodiac, which come round just once every 60 years, the ox of 2021 is not just any ox but a gold one – so perhaps we can look forward to an especially auspicious year, facing the future with confidence, and ready to take on new challenges. This year we will deliver no fewer than six superyachts, with a total length of 315 metres and an even more impressive combined volume of 3,816 Gross Tons.

In our order book we have 14 yachts currently under construction, with deliveries taking us through 2024. These include both semi-custom and full-custom yachts, from 50 to 80 metres in length.

The imminent launch of YN 18950 Project Aquamarine, the first in the new 5000 Aluminium Class, will mark the start of a busy year.

The 60-metre Project SkyFall and 67-metre Project Sparta are taking shape, and we will see their hulls and superstructures joined in August and October.

In November, we will celebrate the launch of the mighty 80-metre Project Cosmos, whose exterior lines are by Winch Design, with interiors by Sinot Yacht Architecture and Design.

We look forward to seeing everyone in person soon – at boat shows, at yachting events and at the shipyard in Oss. Until that is possible, YachtTalk, our online talk show, will hold us close to old friends, help us make new ones, and above all keep us talking to each other as part of the yachting community.