A new star is born: YN 20750 Project Orion keel laying announcement

Heesen is delighted to announce that the keel laying of YN 20750, Project Orion, took place on September 14 at the Oss shipyard, witnessed by the ABS surveyor. Like the constellation whose name she bears, Orion is distinctive, unmistakable, and sure to turn heads wherever she sails. At 50 metres overall, with a shallow draft and a sub-500 GT enclosed volume, Project Orion will be powered by Heesen’s hybrid propulsion system, which delivers the ultimate luxury in yachting: silent cruising. Heesen’s 50m FHDF series is not only ultra-quiet but also extremely fuel efficient. At 12 knots, Orion will consume 98 litres per hour excluding hotel load, while at 10 knots in hybrid mode, consumption falls to a mere 45 litres per hour. For a 50m yacht displacing 295 tons, this is an outstanding achievement.

This impressive performance will be achieved with two MTU 12V 2000 M61 (IMO III) engines of just 600kW each. These are more compact than those typically fitted on a yacht of this size, which demonstrates the remarkable efficiency of the Fast Displacement Hull Form devised by Van Oossanen Naval Architects, engineered by the shipyard’s in-house specialists, and perfectly executed by Heesen’s talented welders. A lightweight build and meticulous weight control are essential to achieving this impressive performance. Heesen is renowned for its mastery of aluminium yacht construction.

Frank Laupman of Omega Architects penned the perfect image for this ultra-technological yacht. This series boasts a striking profile with a near-vertical bow and large floor-to-ceiling windows.

This Superyacht Guide item is an original editorial summary based on the official Heesen Yachts news release.

Image source: Heesen Yachts official news release.