Van der Valk opens brand-new construction hall

Having firmly established itself as a niche leader in the market for fully custom motoryachts between 25 and 40 metres in length, Van der Valk Shipyard in the Netherlands has opened a brand-new construction facility. Offering a state-of-the-art environment for the yard’s expert craftsmen, Hall 7 joins six other facilities on premises spanning over 9000 square metres and offering access to the water via 120 metres of dock.

Hall 7 covers 2,540 square metres with giant 12 x 12-metre hangar doors opening up to reveal the very latest equipment required for bespoke superyacht projects. It means Van der Valk can now work simultaneously on two more superyachts up to 47 metres in length.

From humble beginnings with one shed in 1967, the gradual expansion of the yard has matched the meteoric rise of its brand recognition. Having recently received major awards for the likes of Lady Lene, Blue Jeans and the EDGE 65, Van der Valk currently has seven yachts under construction and two further projects at the engineering phase.

Client-driven

“Our growth in terms of facilities and the size of the yachts we create has been strongly driven by our clients,” comments Van der Valk technical director Bram Kooltjes. “As well as providing an optimum build experience and outcome for owners, this new facility will help us continue to attract talented people from across the boatbuilding spectrum. This is especially crucial at a time when the superyacht sector – like many other industries – is competing in a tight labour market.”

At the turn of the millennium, Van der Valk had three halls that were being used to build six projects under 20 metres. Groundbreaking lines such as the Continental series saw Van der Valk enter the superyacht market in the 2000s and the increasing options to customise these elegant boats were attracting a new breed of clients.

Game-changer

“The launch in 2015 of the world’s first motoryacht with a two-axis fin antiroll damping system – the 36.80-metre Santa-Maria-T – was a real game-changer,” explains Kooltjes. “Designed by Guido de Groot, she kickstarted a new era of expansion as we worked with acclaimed designers and naval architects on forward-thinking and ever-more individual projects.

A sixth new facility was opened in 2017 on the site of the original house lived in by yard founder Wim van der Valk. An impressive structure some 14-metres high, it enabled larger yachts to be built in their entirety rather than having hulls and superstructures constructed in separate halls before their marriage.

Futureproofing

“As new orders for fully custom yachts up to 47 metres in length have continued to increase, we knew the time had come to expand even further,” concludes Kooltjes. “Hall 7 has been designed and built with the future very much in mind. Our 100-strong workforce covers a hugely diverse range of disciplines, including engineering for the integration from naval architects and designers to the production phase. We are able to build complete aluminium hulls, including all piping, plumbing and mechanical engineering and outfitting.

“Our specialists in system integration, electronics, navigation and A/V are highly respected, as are our interior joiners. Three painters are constantly busy with interiors while another top team is responsible for exterior faring and painting. Even the teak decking is laid by Van der Valk experts and the only items we outsource are upholstery, glazing, stainless steel elements and larger steel hulls.”

Few if any, boutique yards have all these disciplines in-house, never mind the ability to create totally custom superyachts in the way Van der Valk now offers. Following on from the recent launch of the 34.13-metre ONE, other bespoke projects currently in build include the 35.29-metre Samba, the 39.92-metre EVO and the 35.8-metre Jangada, the third yacht to carry this name for repeat clients.