Dutch shipbuilding titan Feadship has moved one step closer to rewriting the rules of sustainable exploration with the departure of its 80-metre explorer superyacht Valor for sea trials. Fresh from its launch in May, Valor now embarks on its first full systems test in the North Sea ahead of its Monaco Yacht Show debut later this year.
🌍 Built for Ice, Powered for the Future
Commissioned by a repeat American client, Valor represents a dramatic leap in eco-conscious superyacht design, fusing Arctic readiness with cutting-edge sustainability. With her steel hull, two-metre ice belt above and below the waterline, and Bureau Veritas Young Ice 2 notation, she’s engineered for high-latitude adventures, including transits through the Northwest Passage.
Feadship notes that Valor features “one of the most environmentally friendly propulsion systems available today.” Her diesel-electric hybrid architecture is supported by:
- Four variable-speed generators
- A DC power grid
- Water-cooled lithium-ion battery banks
- Solar cell array integrated into the mast
This system allows Valor to cruise with zero carbon emissions for up to two days, far exceeding the capabilities of Feadship’s previous hybrid trailblazer, Savannah. Additionally, Valor will be trialed with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) BioFuel, potentially reducing carbon output by up to 90%.
✨ Design Inspired by Warships—With a Playful Twist
According to Studio De Voogt, the yacht’s bold exterior—featuring a dreadnought-style bow and muscular silhouette—was guided by the owner’s demand for something “recognisable from outer space.” Gone are the curvaceous, wedding cake designs; in their place, walk-around decks, widened bulwarks, and angular lines give Valor her unmistakable presence.
Outdoor space has been cleverly used, including a grass-filled “relief station” for the owner’s three golden retrievers, positioned near a private shower on the owner’s deck.
🛏️ Accommodation & Interior Highlights
Valor offers 14-guest accommodation across six cabins on the main deck, while the entire upper level is reserved for the owner. Features of the owner’s private domain include:
- Forward-facing master suite overlooking the helideck
- A private Jacuzzi and open-air lounge
- Dressing room and office
- A skylounge with indoor-outdoor dining flexibility
The yacht’s interiors, designed by Bannenberg & Rowell, are still under wraps but expected to blend vintage and mid-century modern influences, with furnishings by George Nakashima, Pollaro, Linley, and Silver Lining. A centrepiece staircase with 48,001 handcrafted parts in bronze and stone will anchor the interior’s architectural drama.
💎 Lifestyle Features Built for Exploration
Despite her explorer credentials, Valor spares no luxury. Among her standout features:
- Contra-flow infinity pool (8.4m x 2.6m)
- Sundeck Jacuzzi with sunpad surround
- Bridge-deck gym
- Massage and beauty treatment room
- Elevator serving all six decks
- Oversized beach club with fold-down terraces for panoramic views
- Showcase storage for water toys, dive gear, and fitness equipment
Power comes from twin Schottel EcoPeller azimuthing thrusters, delivering a maximum speed of 15+ knots and cruising at 11 knots.
🔭 A New Era of Feadship Exploration
Valor joins an elite club of Feadship explorer yachts, including Shinkai and Moonshadow, but with significantly more emphasis on sustainability, off-grid capability, and hybrid innovation.
She is one of several secretive Feadship projects currently in development, alongside the 79.8m Project 716, the 88m Project 828, and the 100m Project 824, continuing a year of bold, forward-looking launches from the iconic Dutch yard.
