Stunning images have emerged showing a specialist team of shipbuilders constructing a superyacht in the Netherlands.
The pictures were captured at the Heesen Yachts shipyard in Oss, where the award-winning team are working tirelessly on their latest luxury vessel, Project Aster.
The yacht is currently in the outfitting phase, where it is smoothed down with a stucco to make the aluminium surface even and smooth before applying it with a glossy white paint to give it a sleek finish.
The huge 164ft yacht will sleep 12 guests and offer more than 500 square metres of interior space serviced by nine crew members.
Coupled with two MTU diesel engines 16V 4000, the ship will deliver a top speed of 23 knots and a range of 3,100 nautical miles at 11 knots.
Aster sports a luxurious interior imagined by Italian designer Cristiano Gatto, and brought to life by expert craftsmen at Heesen Yachts Interiors.
The versatile layout comprises five lower deck suites and a master stateroom on the main deck forward. Project Aster is currently available and is due for delivery for both private and charter use in June 2019.
Project Aster is currently wrapped in scaffolding as a specialist team of shipbuilders construct the 164ft superyacht. Aster is the latest yacht in the successful 5000 aluminium class whose exterior lines are designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects
Three workers smooth down the top deck with a stucco to make the aluminium surface even and smooth before applying paint. Aster’s semi-displacement hull, built in-house by Heesen, coupled with two MTU diesel engines 16V 4000, will deliver a top speed of 23 knots and a range of 3,100 nautical miles at 11 knots
Four floors of scaffolding have been put up around the ship while its under construction at the yard in Oss. Heesen Yachts was founded by Frans Heesen in 1978, drawing on the rich talent pool of maritime craftsmen and artisans in The Netherlands
Luminous blue sparks fly off the ship as two male workers weld underneath the enormous vessel. Around 12 guests will enjoy over 500 square metres of interior space serviced by nine crew. The versatile layout comprises five lower deck suites, and a master stateroom on the main deck forward, making project Aster ideal for both charter and private use
A broad variety of materials and finishes embellish Project Aster’s interior design, which the builder say complements her understated theme. The 4.4 acre Heesen Yachts shipyard is situated in the southern Netherlands town of Oss. It comprises nine construction sheds and five dry docks, with the capability to build yachts up to 272ft in length
Aster sports a luxurious interior styled by Italian designer Cristiano Gatto, constructed by expert craftsmen at Heesen Yachts Interiors. Her interior design is laden with high gloss lacquered wood with complicated inserts in leather, metal, upholstery and wood
Heesen Yachts is helping to move the needle on advanced performance hull design for superyachts over 30 metres. The shipyard works with owners and noted architects to build fast yet long-range custom yachts in aluminium and steel
Two workers smooth down the exterior with a stucco to make it even and smooth. The ship is currently in the ‘outfitting stage’ and will be trialled extensively at sea once the finishing touches are completed
Shipbuilders prepare a stucco before coating the ship’s aluminium exterior. Aster will boast a sleek, white finish when it is launched in June 2019, 40 years after the company delivered its first superyacht, the 66ft Amigo
Heesen Yachts claims to be the first in Holland to utilize aluminium alloy in constructing yacht hulls. The Dutch shipbuilder has continued to pioneer the use of aluminium to produce seaworthy yet swift performance superyachts
Flowing curves are used in the furniture for a more organic setting and a multitude of half-height windows allow guests to enjoy the views while the natural light enters the room
Interior images of the master stateroom reveal a pale colour scheme that uses ash white panelling with accents in steel, deep brown, pristine white and grey
The dining room features a futuristic but simplistic design that aims to ‘convey the understated elegance’ of the ship
The Oss shipyard is big enough to house super yachts almost 300ft in length. Heesen Yachts are currently building one of their most ambitious vessels yet – the 262ft-long Cosmos which boasts a top speed of 29 knots
The shiny aluminium underbelly of the boat is pictured before being coated in plaster ahead of its glossy white paint job
Workers smooth down the ship’s exterior with careful precision. Aster will be available for private and charter use by some of the wealthiest people in the world