Heesen has laid the keel for Project “Kansei”, its 50th anniversary yacht. The 55 m superyacht is scheduled for launch in October 2028 and remains available for interior customisation.
Heesen celebrated the keel laying of Project “Kansei” at Talsma, the shipyard’s partner for steel hull fabrication in the northern Netherlands. In the presence of a Lloyd’s Register surveyor, Heesen CEO Jeroen van der Meer performed the ceremonial welding, placing a 1978 coin in the keel to honour the shipyard’s founding year. The milestone marks the start of construction of the anniversary edition. The yacht is scheduled for launch in October 2028 to coincide with Heesen’s 50th anniversary, followed by delivery in the first quarter of 2029.
The name “Kansei” is derived from the Japanese concept of anticipating emotional needs and designing for human sensibility, reflecting Heesen’s guiding pillars: Human, Health and Happiness. The concept focuses on creating an environment centred on wellbeing and comfort on board.
Proven platform with owner feedback
To realise the vision, Luca Dini Design and Architecture collaborated with Heesen’s leadership team. The interior reflects the Kansei philosophy through spatial planning and tactile materials. Backlit rice paper, raffia ceilings and calm, open spaces define the design.
The layout departs from traditional superyacht arrangements. The main deck aft features a dedicated gym and yoga area leading onto a terrace with a juice bar. On the lower deck, the wellness area includes a sauna, hammam and an emotional shower with snow, mist and water features.
Social spaces include a formal dining area with an indoor bar on the bridge deck and a sundeck with a live cooking station and an integrated AV/IT system. Heesen Interiors, the shipyard’s carpentry facility in Winterswijk, will build the interior.
Project “Kansei” builds on Heesen’s previous 55 m series, using a proven steel platform refined through operational experience. Feedback from owners, captains and chief engineers has resulted in practical improvements, including a one-metre extension of the swim platform and the addition of a transformer for easier access to the water.
Owners joining the project at this early stage will be able to customise the interior before construction progresses.
Project “Kansei”
- Steel Hull, LOA 56m, beam 9.6m, draft 2.7m
- Main engines 2 x MTU 8V 4000 M63 delivering a top speed of 15.5 knots
- Transatlantic Range of 4,500 nm at 12 knots
- Internal volume: approx. 760 GT, 12 guests in 6 staterooms
- Exterior design Omega Architects, Interior Design Luca Dini Design & Architecture
