Heesen presents the 55-metre steel Project Serena at the Dubai International Boat Show
Heesen is delighted to be back at the Dubai Boat Show from 9 to 13 March. CCO Friso Visser and Sales Director Robert Drontmann look forward to welcoming visitors to stand MD4. Dr Reiner Behne and Tim Trenker from local representative Behnemar will also be in attendance.
“This is the first boat show held in the brand new Dubai Harbour, the region’s largest marina,” comments Friso Visser. “It is inspired by the Gulf’s long tradition of boatbuilding and seafaring and will further enhance Dubai’s position as a global yachting hotspot.” Acknowledging that the UAE is an important maritime hub whose truly international clientele understands and appreciates quality, he added: “We are thrilled to be part of this new beginning and look forward to seeing this boat show bloom. The new marina is an iconic project for Dubai and the region. It will be home to many superyachts, and it will most certainly generate new business – which we are ready to welcome, thanks to our partnership with Behnemar.”
Heesen will be presenting YN 20555 Project Serena, the latest in the shipyard’s successful 55-metre steel class. With exterior lines from the drawing board of Frank Laupman at Omega Architects and interior décor by Luca Dini Design and Architecture, she is currently under construction at the shipyard. She will be available for delivery in November 2024.
“Heesen’s 55-metre steel incorporates a unique combination of qualities in terms of size, features, and value,” says Tim Trenker of Behnemar. “Serena sports an appealing exterior style which mixes modern with traditional, while her Dutch pedigree, high level of quality and perfect market positioning make her an ideal yacht for Middle Eastern clients. And of course, the customer will also benefit from a short delivery time, thanks to Heesen’s speculative build programme.”
Built on Heesen’s proven 55-metre concept, Serena will be presented at the show with a six-cabin layout – but the 55-metre engineering platform offers the possibility of numerous custom options, as Tim Trenker points out: “Thanks to this design’s generous enclosed volume of 760GT, there is great flexibility. I imagine that some owners might choose to add an extra cabin for the staff, for example, or the beach club could be transformed into a gym. There are plenty of possibilities.”
Heesen’s 55-metre Steel allows customers to link their inspiration to the expertise of the shipyard and the creativity of its designers. The result is a perfect match of their unique lifestyle to a tried and tested engineering platform.
TIMELESS PROFILE
Heesen’s 55-metre steel – a uniquely successful superyacht platform. Worldbeating, fuel-efficient Fast Displacement Hull Design, ocean-crossing range, huge interior volumes and a timeless profile – and available on a short delivery schedule, thanks to Heesen’s bold speculative build programme.
Larger windows, assertive shapes, and longer horizontals lend a more aggressive edge to the profile. But take a closer look, and there’s a new French balcony in the owner’s suite. A transformative innovation.
“This is one of the most impressive innovations on the latest version of the 55-metre Steel,” says Heesen CCO Friso Visser. “This is something truly unique that fundamentally changes the space.”
Enhancements to exterior deck spaces are not limited to the upgraded furnishings. Functionality in the new-look 55-metre Steel is improved by additional stairways to provide better access and circulation for the crew. Less formal layouts for the aft seating areas complement a new focus on alfresco dining.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The muscular exterior lines of Project Serena, have been revisited by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. “As much as we love our original design with the vertical windows, we felt it was time to make an evolutionary step,” said Frank. “We opted for a larger expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass, without mullions, in the main saloon and sky lounge. Then we took the opportunity to give a slightly more aggressive look to the profile, by using continuous sheets of tinted glass. The horizontal lines stretch the optical length and balance the air draft. The result is beautiful: we retained the family look and feel, but gave it an elegant touch.”