Upgrading existing yachts can be an attractive option for owners looking to avoid the lengthy timelines of new builds. Whether the goal is to integrate the latest technology, meet new environmental regulations, or enhance comfort and usability, refitting offers a smart and often more sustainable way to evolve a vessel. But as technology, regulations, and client expectations evolve, upgrading a yacht for the future requires specialist knowledge and technical expertise.

Oceanco has long been recognized for challenging convention through its groundbreaking yachts that set new benchmarks in design, efficiency and technical innovation. With its Life Cycle Support (LCS) offering, Oceanco extends its expertise beyond new construction, ensuring every yacht—Oceanco-built or otherwise—receives quality care and the opportunity to evolve throughout its lifetime.

A full-service solution

LCS offers a full spectrum of services to respect, preserve and renew existing yachts, delivering the same high standards of expertise and integrity that Oceanco is known for. From routine refit and maintenance management to full-scale upgrades and lifetime extensions, LCS supports projects both at Oceanco’s state-of-the-art facilities and through the deployment of rapid response teams anytime, anywhere in the world.

Drawing on its experience with some of the world’s most complex and innovative yachts, Oceanco confidently undertakes even the most demanding upgrades. “We handle significant structural and technical works so yachts can continue to evolve and modernize as new technologies emerge, becoming even more sustainable in the process,” says Anton Smit, Life Cycle Support Cluster Sales Manager at Oceanco.

Rebuilding icons

Oceanco’s LCS capabilities were showcased in the recent rebuild of H3, one of the most ambitious LCS projects to date. The 105-meter (345-foot) motoryacht underwent a transformation that was unprecedented in both scale and nature, technically and aesthetically.

“Our goal was to take a highly advanced yacht from 20 years ago and make her IMO Tier III compliant, in line with any yacht built today,” says Smit. “She was also given an entirely new look and identity, far beyond a standard repaint. These elements evolved the scope from a refit into a complete rebuild.”

The three-year project culminated in H3’s relaunch in January 2023. Thanks to her new IMO Tier III-compliant configuration—cutting emissions, particularly of nitrous oxide—her operational footprint was reduced by more than 60 percent. When powered by alternative fuels like HVO, that reduction climbs to nearly 90 percent.

Now, the 92-meter (302-foot) Tranquility has returned to Oceanco for a transformative refit. Delivered in 2014, the yacht is undergoing a comprehensive series of upgrades, including a redesigned interior for improved comfort and updated styling, a stern extension to enhance onboard space and exterior living, and a full repaint to modernize her exterior. Her AV/IT and NAVCOM systems will also be upgraded, ensuring seamless connectivity and cutting-edge navigation.

Inspiring what comes next

LCS is committed to inspiring owners to give existing vessels a new lease of life, whether they originated as yachts or not. A recent collaboration with Mario Biferali Yacht Design exemplifies this vision. Anthos is a bold conversion of a 150-meter (492-foot) container ship and the first design to be revealed under Biferali’s fresh approach to transforming large commercial vessels into yachts, providing them with a new identity and purpose.

Anthos is a creative solution that reflects what a growing number of owners are looking for in their yachts: something that can adapt to the demands of private life, family time, remote work, philanthropy and adventure. Behind its clean and minimalist lines that reflect a post-industrial naval architecture, Anthos’ layout and features introduce a new, expansive approach to living on the water.

World-class capacity and capability

Oceanco’s refit and outfitting facilities in Alblasserdam are equipped to handle multiple yachts of up to 150 meters (492 feet) simultaneously. The site includes a marina for in-water service work, a cutting-edge dry dock, a Syncrolift, and secure, access-restricted zones to ensure privacy and safety throughout any project.

At its Zwijndrecht premises, Oceanco offers 28 acres of refit and construction capacity, including two large construction halls (132 meters and 204 meters in length) and a 400-meter 91,312-foot) outfitting quay. Together, these facilities can accommodate an extraordinary range of LCS projects.

No surprises, just solutions

Oceanco stands for reliability, responsibility and transparency. “We are open and upfront about costs before your project starts, with many services falling under our monthly facilities fee, so there are no long lists of unexpected ‘extras’ when it comes to invoicing,” says Smit. “If an LCS project has clearly defined scope and risks, we will agree a fixed price in advance. Any additional works that are harder to pin down beforehand are charged in a transparent manner, outlining costs for time and materials with a predefined mark-up.”

Taking a stand on sustainability

Oceanco is an industry leader in terms of sustainable development and driving positive change. Beyond pushing boundaries in green technologies and efficiency on construction and LCS projects, the company has bold ambitions to have 100 percent of its electricity usage supplied by renewable energy sources in 2030. Oceanco also intends to achieve zero waste or fully circular material use across its supply chain through the conscious selection or creation of new materials to be used onboard.

A culture of collaboration

At the heart of LCS is a spirit of collaboration. The Oceanco Co-maker Unlimited group is a cohort of strategic partners that have a shared vision and mission. Together, they have built some of the most innovative yachts in the world.

Many Co-makers and key suppliers have a physical presence onsite or close by, and, on any given day, they can usually be found working on a number of Oceanco projects. All LCS projects have convenient access to these top craftspeople and expert technicians, saving time and money on travel and expenses while allowing numerous tasks to be carried out at once, minimizing the yacht’s downtime.

A lifetime of possibility

With Life Cycle Support, Oceanco empowers yacht owners to extend the life and enhance the performance of their assets. Whether it’s a subtle upgrade, a complete transformation, or a redefinition of what a vessel can be, LCS delivers Oceanco’s technical expertise and forward-thinking approach to every stage of a yacht’s lifecycle.

For more information, contact: oceancoyacht.com