Work on constructing the new 85m dry dock at their facility in Oss was started by Hessen Yachts on June 15, 2015.
It should be completed by October 2016 with an official inauguration, taking place on November 11, 2016.
The new shed and its dry dock will be equipped with features to create the best possible working environment. Temperature and humidity controlled, the dry dock floor will be heated and automatic sun tracker lights on the roof will reduce the use of power for lighting by 25% to optimise illumination.
An air filtering system will further provide optimal conditions for the painting process: 60,000m3 of air per hour will be filtered through special filters using 70% of the air intake from outside and 30% recycled air.
The new shed will be replacing the current build sheds number 2 and 3, both built in 1995, and will measure 98m x 30m x 22m.
The dry dock will measure 85m x 17m wide x 22m. To make the dock watertight, 2,000 cubic metres of concrete will be employed, while 500 tons of steel will be used to build the hall.
The dry dock will contain 6,502m3 of water and it will take approximately one day to fill it.
Founded by Frans Heesen in 1978 in Oss, the company was the first Dutch shipyard to employ aluminium for semi displacement yacht hulls. In 1992 it began building traditional displacement yachts, and today delivers superyachts within the 30 – 80 metres size range, and beyond.
In 35 years the builder now in Russian ownership has delivered nearly 170 yachts. The current fleet includes aluminium, steel, displacement, semi-displacement and fast displacement models
“The new 85m dry dock is our investment in the future and our response to the market request for bigger yachts,” say the owners. “The success of the 65m FDHF Galactica Star, the largest of our yachts currently at sea and the impressive 70m Project Kometa currently under construction, are creating a lot of interest for repeat clients. We are now ready to further expand the size of our yachts on offer up to 80m.”
Ten yachts are currently in construction and their deliveries span through to 2018. This indicates that Heesen is financially secure, large enough to cope with complex construction, small enough to care about each project, motivated to pioneer innovations and dedicated to continuing the tradition of Dutch quality shipbuilding.