Norwegian billionaire to build 181.6m yacht designed by Espen Oino

Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Røkke has ordered a 181.6-metre motor yacht designed by Espen Oeino from Vard Shipyard. The superyacht is primarily intended for environmental research under the auspices of the World Wildlife Fund in Norway, but will be used by the owner for private purposes and will also be available for charter.

Designed for research and expedition work aimed at solving environmental problems in the ocean, the vessel called REV (Research Expedition Vessel) is designed to sail in extreme conditions in the Arctic and the tropics.

Nearly two metres longer than Lurssen Azzam, REV will be the world's largest yacht when delivered to owner in 2020. The yacht will also be the largest vessel in the world available for private charter. She will be able to accommodate up to 36 passengers on board.

«REV will be a platform for gathering knowledge," says owner Hjell Inge Røkke. - I would like to see researchers, environmental groups and other institutions looking for innovative solutions to problems and new opportunities related to ocean development on board her».

Rökke says his company's first big trawler was built 30 years ago at the Vard Shipyard, and the industrialist has been in friendly contact with the shipyard ever since. That was the reason for the choice of the builder REV.

The vessel will be equipped with two helipads, several science labs, an auditorium and a hangar for a remotely operated submersible. On board there will be equipment for monitoring and surveying the seabed.

The REV's cabins will accommodate up to 60 scientists and 40 crew. In superyacht mode the vessel will be able to accommodate up to 36 guests and 54 crew. Rökke intends to use REV occasionally for family vacations or as a charter vessel. The latter will provide an additional source of funding for REV's primary, research and development mission.

She will be not only the longest yacht in the world, but also the largest in terms of interior volume. In terms of total tonnage she will surpass Alisher Usmanov's Dilbar by 1,000 BRT.

The maximum speed of REV will be 17 knots. The sonar will be able to operate at 11 knots and the biological sampling system at 2 knots. At 11 knots the range will be 21,120 miles. With 90 passengers onboard she will be able to sail for up to 114 days without refuelling.

Hjell Inge Røkke is the majority shareholder in Aker, which builds offshore drilling rigs and oil platforms. He is the richest man in Norway. Røkke's fortune is estimated at $2.7 billion. He served a month in prison in 2007 for buying the rights to operate a cruising yacht.