The 2-Year Superyacht: How Heesen’s New Owner is Revolutionising Yacht Building with AI

In the world of superyachts, a sphere defined by heritage and time-honoured craftsmanship, a new vision is taking shape at Heesen Yachts. It comes from Laurens Last, the shipyard’s new owner, a visionary entrepreneur whose philosophy is set to chart a new course.

In a recent, extensive podcast interview, Mr. Last unveiled the audacious strategy that drove him to acquire the world-renowned Dutch builder. For him, business is not merely a transaction; it is a dynamic contest.

“For me, it is a game. And the goal is to keep playing and keep winning.”

This simple, yet profound, mindset underpins a radical agenda for innovation that will touch every aspect of yacht construction.

From Packaging Pioneer to Yachting Visionary

Before turning his attention to the waves, Laurens Last commanded an international empire in flexible packaging. His firm was a crucible of innovation, developing groundbreaking solutions and supplying billions of specialised bags to giants like Coca-Cola.

His journey into yachting, however, was not charted on a spreadsheet. It was a course set by the heart. A passionate sailor since the age of seven, his connection to the sea is visceral. The decision to acquire Heesen Yachts, he confesses, was not a logical calculation but an act of profound emotion.

“It wasn’t a logical decision; it was pure emotion. I wanted to combine my passion with business.”

It is this synergy of commercial acumen and personal passion that now fuels his vision for Heesen.

Disrupting Tradition: A New Philosophy for Yacht Building

Throughout his career, Mr. Last has eschewed convention. He challenges the orthodox view that experience is the sole font of wisdom, arguing that fresh perspectives are essential to unlocking opportunities that seasoned experts may overlook.

“If you always think like before, you only see limitations. I want to see opportunities.”

This philosophy now permeates his approach to yacht building. He intends to disrupt conventional production processes, introducing a high degree of automation to dramatically shorten delivery timelines—a methodology more akin to a tech start-up than a heritage shipyard.

AI: Heesen’s ‘Superpower’ for Design and Efficiency

Perhaps the most potent weapon in Mr. Last’s arsenal is Artificial Intelligence. He leveraged AI to formidable effect during the acquisition of Heesen, rapidly analysing vast quantities of documents. “I was amazed by how much time AI saved us,” he reflects. “It felt like a superpower.”

His ambition for AI, however, extends far beyond the boardroom. He sees it as a critical catalyst for:

• Design Optimisation: Identifying potential design flaws in their nascent stages.
• Performance Simulation: Simulating a yacht’s performance with unparalleled accuracy.
• Supply Chain Management: Automating and streamlining logistics for greater efficiency.
• Client Customisation: Powering AI-driven configurators that allow clients to customise their yachts in a seamless, interactive experience.

For Heesen, the integration of AI is not merely about reducing costs; it is about elevating quality and customer satisfaction to an entirely new plane.

The 2-Year Superyacht: A Revolution in Yacht Construction Timelines

The most audacious element of his vision is a direct challenge to the industry’s status quo: to shrink the production timeline of a superyacht from four years to just one or two.

This ambitious goal rests on a foundation of robotics and automation. Robots would be deployed for time-intensive, precision-critical tasks like painting, sanding, and interior finishing. This focus on automation allows Heesen’s world-renowned craftspeople to dedicate their expertise to the intricate details and bespoke finishes that define a true Heesen yacht.

The strategy is clear: merge Heesen’s celebrated craftsmanship with advanced technology to maintain its reputation for excellence while delivering superior value and speed.

Beyond the Build: The Digital Twin and a New Era of Ownership

Mr. Last’s forward-thinking approach extends to the entire lifecycle of a yacht. He is a fervent advocate for the “digital twin”—a complete virtual replica of the physical yacht, updated in real-time with data from every onboard system.

This concept will transform yacht ownership. Imagine an owner receiving a simple notification on their tablet that a specific component requires service in three weeks, with parts automatically ordered and a certified technician’s visit proposed for the yacht’s next port of call. This is the seamless ownership experience the digital twin will deliver.

A proprietary AI-driven management system, currently in development, will work with the digital twin to offer predictive maintenance, cost analytics, and optimised crew scheduling, enhancing both operational sustainability and resale value.

Leadership for a New Age: Vision, Empathy, and Inspiration

For all his focus on technology, Mr. Last remains adamant that the human element is paramount. He champions results over hours logged and fosters a culture where experimentation is encouraged. His strategy for implementing this technological shift is not one of mandates, but of inspiration.

“Show people the benefits, and they will follow. You can’t push them; you must pull them.”

This approach is guided by a “dot on the horizon”—a long-term vision that provides direction while allowing the flexibility to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

Under his ownership, the future of Heesen Yachts will be forged at the intersection of passion, innovation, and authenticity. The course for Heesen’s next chapter is set not just by a compass, but by a vision.

The Heesen revolution is already underway. To learn more about our commitment to innovation and explore the yachts that are defining the next generation of excellence, we invite you to visit our fleet.  Listen to the Podcast in Dutch here:

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Words by Sara Gioanola