Heesen’s Groundbreaking Santosha Clinches Victory at the World Superyacht Awards in Venice

Heesen Yachts is proud to announce a significant achievement for our latest masterpiece, Santosha. The yacht has been honoured with a prestigious Neptune trophy at the 20th edition of the World Superyacht Awards, held this year in the stunning city of Venice, Italy.

Organised by Boat International, the leading global authority in the superyacht industry and part of the Informa Group, the World Superyacht Awards are widely regarded as the pinnacle of recognition in yachting. Often called the ‘Oscars of the Superyacht World’, these awards celebrate the finest design, engineering, and construction achievements over the past year. Winning a Neptune trophy is a globally recognised mark of excellence.

Santosha: A Winner Emerges in Style and Substance

Competing in the category for the largest Semi-Displacement and Planing yachts, Santosha impressed the discerning panel of judges. “It’s a prime boat,” noted one judge. The panel, comprised mainly of experienced yacht owners, specifically commended her impressive top speed of 22.7 knots, her well-conceived general arrangement, and the excellent build quality synonymous with Heesen Yachts. Based on these strengths, the judges crowned Santosha the winner in her class.

This award holds particular importance. Santosha is the pioneering first vessel in Heesen’s new 57-metre all-aluminium class, developed under the project name Akira. She is built upon the highly efficient Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) engineered by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. This advanced hull design, combined with her lightweight aluminium construction, significantly optimises performance and efficiency. As a result, Santosha’s power demands and fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 50 per cent compared to a conventional steel displacement yacht of similar size. Furthermore, she is built to meet IMO Tier-III environmental regulations, reflecting a commitment to responsible yachting.

Adding to her versatility, Santosha boasts a remarkably shallow draft of less than 2.15 metres (under 7 feet). This makes her ideally suited for navigating the crystal-clear shallow waters of destinations like the Bahamas, allowing access to anchorages often unreachable for yachts of this size, all while maintaining exceptional comfort and luxury.

We were delighted that the owners of Santosha could join the Heesen team on stage in Venice to accept the coveted Neptune trophy, celebrating the collaborative success of this project.

Design Excellence: Exterior Poise

Despite her substantial interior volume of nearly 800 Gross Tons, Santosha presents a remarkably sleek and elegant profile on the water. The renowned Dutch studio, Omega Architects, masterfully achieved this elongated look. They shaped a low-profile superstructure and extended the visual length with a dynamically raked bow. A particularly distinctive feature is the concave shaping of the transom. This not only makes Santosha stand out visually but cleverly creates additional usable space on the swim platform for guests to enjoy closer proximity to the water.

Design Excellence: Considered Interiors

For the interior, the owners selected the distinguished British design house, Harrison Eidsgaard. A fascinating aspect of this project is that Santosha represents the first custom build for her owners, who brought over two decades of chartering experience to the design process. The judges noted how effectively the owners translated their extensive charter knowledge into creating a yacht perfectly tailored to their needs. “She does exactly what the owners wanted,” one judge remarked.

Working in close partnership, Harrison Eidsgaard and the owners realised a vision for soothing, uncluttered interiors that prioritise comfort and liveability without sacrificing style. The owners emphasised the use of high-quality, yet mindful materials, such as premium performance leather and sophisticated engineered wood, contributing to the yacht’s refined aesthetic.

Bespoke details abound. The scallop shape of the steps on the magnificent main staircase, which encircles a state-of-the-art stainless steel and glass elevator servicing three decks, draws inspiration directly from the unique concave form of Santosha’s stern. Heesen’s skilled interior department realised the custom cabinetry designed by Harrison Eidsgaard, which is complemented by carefully selected bespoke furniture pieces. These include a stunning walnut dining table crafted by Parkway England and contemporary chandeliers from the acclaimed Czech glassmaker Lasvit, adding touches of artistry throughout the yacht.

Meticulous Build and Management

The journey from concept to award-winning reality was expertly overseen by the experienced team at MCM Yacht Management. Acting on behalf of the owners, MCM supervised the intricate technical aspects of the build. Their meticulous attention to detail ensured that the construction process adhered to the highest standards and perfectly matched the owners’ specific requirements and vision.

Experience Santosha

For those seeking an unforgettable yachting experience aboard an award-winning vessel combining performance, efficiency, and exquisite comfort, Santosha is available for charter. Interested parties can arrange charters exclusively through the leading brokerage house, Burgess.

A Testament to Quality and Collaboration

This victory at the World Superyacht Awards is more than just an award; it is a powerful international acknowledgment of the exceptional beauty, quality, innovation, and collaborative spirit embedded in every Heesen project. It validates the skill, dedication, and passion of our entire team and our esteemed partners – Van Oossanen Naval Architects, Omega Architects, Harrison Eidsgaard, MCM Yacht Management, and, of course, Santosha’s visionary owners.

We extend our sincere congratulations to everyone involved in the creation of this magnificent yacht. Santosha’s triumph inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of design, performance, and efficiency in the superyacht world, particularly as we develop our exciting 57-metre aluminium class further.