Heesen is delighted to announce that the construction of YN 20457, Project Akira, began at the Oss shipyard on February 9, formally witnessed by the American Bureau of Shipping surveyor. Akira is the first in a new class of high-speed aluminium yachts by Heesen. At 57 metres, with an enclosed volume of...
Heesen is delighted to announce that the construction of YN 20457, Project Akira, began at the Oss shipyard on February 9, formally witnessed by the American Bureau of Shipping surveyor. Akira is the first in a new class of high-speed aluminium yachts by Heesen. At 57 metres, with an enclosed volume of approximately 780 GT, she sports a lightweight ultra-efficientient FDHF hull that will give her a top speed of 22 knots with two IMO III-compliant MTU 16V 4000 M65L engines.
The all-aluminium hull is the latest refinement of the patented Fast Displacement Hull Form, devised by Dutch hydrodynamicists Van Oossanen and further engineered by Heesen’s naval architects. Thanks to her low-drag underwater body, Akira is fast yet highly economical, needing less power and using up to half the fuel of a conventional steel displacement yacht of the same size. Thanks to her shallow draft of just 2.3 metres, she is also a go-anywhere yacht, perfect for the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas or shallow inshore anchorages in the Mediterranean.
For this new breed of yacht, Heesen appointed long-term partner Frank Laupman of Omega Architects for the exterior design. Her lines are characterised by a shapely profile, a gently raked bow, and bold fashion plates. A standout feature is the distinctive scalloped transom to increase the size of the large fixed swim platform, which will make her instantly identifiable in any marina.
This Superyacht Guide item is an original editorial summary based on the official Heesen Yachts news release.
Image source: Heesen Yachts official news release.