Heesen Spotlights Dutch Superyacht Craftsmanship: Yacht Valley Press Tour Paves Way for World Boating Day

The Netherlands, globally renowned for its maritime excellence and as the heartland of superyacht construction, recently showcased its collective strength with the celebrated return of the Yacht Valley Press Tour. This landmark event, taking place ahead of the inaugural World Boating Day – an initiative promoted by the Superyacht Life Foundation – saw seven of the nation’s most esteemed Dutch shipyards join forces. Amels Damen Yachting, Feadship, Heesen Yachts, Oceanco, Royal Hakvoort, Royal Huisman, and Vitters collaborated to offer international press an exclusive insight into the world of elite yacht building.

This revived Yacht Valley Press Tour offered more than a mere look inside the immense construction halls; it was an immersive journey into a culture defined by meticulous precision engineering, continuous innovation, and the understated elegance that characterises Dutch superyachts. For three intensive days, journalists experienced the unparalleled craftsmanship and advanced technology that firmly place the Netherlands at the zenith of the luxury yacht industry.

While the Dutch superyacht sector is known for its healthy competitive spirit, this collaborative tour powerfully underscored the shared commitment to quality and the unique global standing of the “Yacht Valley.” Each shipyard, while championing its distinct identity, contributes to a national industry synonymous with perfection. Indeed, superyachts represent the Netherlands’ foremost superluxury export, embodying centuries of nautical heritage fused with visionary design and cutting-edge technology. These extraordinary vessels are a testament to the country’s leading position in high-tech manufacturing.

The tour was meticulously designed to demonstrate the breathtaking scale of superyacht construction – where vessels often exceeding 100 metres LOA are built with millimetre-accuracy – and to highlight the significant economic impact of this specialised sector. The Dutch superyacht industry is a vital pillar of the national economy, generating an estimated annual revenue often surpassing €3.5 billion, predominantly through export value. Critically, this industry provides an incredibly high number of skilled jobs, supporting tens of thousands – current estimates indicate over 25,000 direct and indirect employees – in yacht building careers and related trades, thus preserving essential artisanal skills for future generations.

Heesen Yachts was immensely proud to welcome the press contingent to our state-of-the-art Oss shipyard for the tour’s concluding evening. This was a prime opportunity to open our doors and share the innovation, passion, and deep connection to the water that define the Heesen experience. Our goal was to offer a genuine glimpse into an industry responsible for creating some of the most exclusive and advanced objects on the planet, particularly our speciality: aluminium yachts.

The very term ‘yacht’ itself, derived from the Dutch ‘jagt’, speaks volumes about the Netherlands’ deep-rooted legacy in pioneering premier shipbuilding. Recognising the journalists’ dedication throughout their packed tour, the Heesen team curated a uniquely experiential evening. The guiding philosophy was simple: “less reading, more doing,” because the essence of yachting lies in the experience, the sensation, the narrative.

At Heesen Yachts, our world-leading expertise in aluminium construction is a key differentiator. It was therefore highly fitting to host our guests within the impressive, cathedral-like halls where these sophisticated metal structures are meticulously crafted. With our engineers and artisans having completed their shifts, a novel, hands-on activity was arranged. A welding station, under the expert supervision of Patrick Blom, Manager of Shipbuilding Production, and master welder Grzegorz Wnukowski, invited guests to try their hand at this fundamental skill, offering a tangible appreciation for the precision demanded in superyacht manufacturing.

The 2025 Yacht Valley Press Tour has powerfully reasserted the collaborative spirit and collective strength of the Dutch superyacht industry. As the global community anticipates World Boating Day, this initiative has brilliantly shone a spotlight on the passion, precision, and pioneering vision that maintain the Netherlands’ leadership in marine innovation. It served as a compelling testament that while each shipyard steers its individual course, all operate under the esteemed banner of Dutch quality, continually advancing the art of creating the world’s most exceptional luxury yachts and underscoring this vital sector’s immense contribution to the Dutch economy and its highly skilled workforce.