YN 20457 Project Update: Akira, 57m superyacht, hull and superstructure joined together!

Heesen is delighted to announce that the hull and superstructure of Project Akira, YN 20457, have been joined together at the facility in Oss. The project remains on schedule and is available for delivery in time to enjoy the 2024 summer season.

Project Akira is the first in the new 57-metre all-aluminium series of fast yachts, with an enclosed volume of approximately 780 GT and a lightweight, ultra-efficient Fast Displacement Hull Form. Heesen is one of the few shipyards in the world with the in-house capability to weld such high-performance structures to the required tolerances.

The shipyard presented the 57-metre series design at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2019, and construction of YN 20457 began in February 2022, as a speculative venture, with the official keel-laying witnessed by the American Bureau of Shipping surveyor. To mark the occasion, four Heesen employees celebrating their 25 th anniversary with the company carried out the first welds. One of Heesen’s great strengths is the long-lasting commitment of a highly professional workforce. Incredibly, 18 of the shipyard’s original 40 employees still work at the yard, with the next generation coming through strongly.

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

Image source: Heesen Yachts official news release.