All sorts of working vessels — from tugs and trawlers to naval ships and icebreakers — have found second lives as luxury yachts. But a container ship? That’s uncharted water.
Dutch shipyard Oceanco, in collaboration with Italian designer Mario Biferali, is setting out to make maritime history with Project Anthos — a radical 150-metre concept that reimagines a commercial container vessel as a next-generation superyacht.
From Cargo to Couture
The idea of “naval regeneration” first came to Biferali during his PhD research, where he studied the increasing size and evolution of modern yachts. Blending the words naval and yacht, he coined “Nacht” — a philosophy of repurposing commercial ships into high-performance luxury vessels.
Having worked with Oceanco as an engineer on projects like the 109-metre Bravo Eugenia, Biferali proposed a daring concept: to breathe new life into a container ship’s steel heart and transform it into a bespoke superyacht of the future.
“Mario’s technical background means he’s not given to fluffy thinking,” says Wim Verhoeff, Oceanco’s Sales Director. “His design was already close to being feasible — watertight integrity, fire zones, HVAC systems — all thought through. Our role was to ensure it could actually be built.”
Reimagining a Commercial Giant
At the core of Project Anthos lies a sustainable ambition: to upcycle existing ships rather than build from scratch. This aligns with Oceanco’s Life Cycle Support Initiative, which promotes second-life projects that minimize waste, cost, and environmental impact.
The team identified several viable donor ships — mostly 1990s-era container vessels around 12,000 GT, such as the Meratus Mamiri and MSC Belle. These ships, though commercially obsolete, remain structurally sound and hydrodynamically efficient — ideal foundations for transformation.
“Maritime transport is cyclical,” Biferali explains. “When trade slows, shipowners retire vessels that are still in excellent condition. Anthos gives them a new purpose.”
Designing from the Inside Out
Technically, the conversion is immense. Container ships lack the internal deck continuity, watertight subdivisions, and architectural finesse of yachts. The transformation involves razing the interior down to the double bottom, adding continuous decks, and reshaping the hull topsides to create vast open spaces.
The superstructure becomes an owner’s private “tower” — three decks spanning nearly 300 square metres of terraces, with lounges, offices, and a panoramic sundeck above the bridge.
Below, the guest areas feature double-height VIP suites, sea-view lounges, a full-beam gym, wellness zone, sports court, and even modular “Sea Gardens” with living green walls.
A crew of 54 will be accommodated across 27 cabins, supported by extensive service and technical spaces in the lower decks.
Engineering a New Era of Sustainability
Every structural modification — from panoramic hull windows to a 19-metre-long pool — requires careful balance between design freedom and engineering strength. Oceanco will apply finite element modelling (FEM) to ensure the integrity of the redesigned hull.
Crucially, Anthos is conceived to host Oceanco’s Energy Transition Platform (ETP) — a modular propulsion architecture created with Lateral Naval Architects. This allows the vessel to evolve over time, integrating future fuels such as methanol or hydrogen as technology advances.
“We want to be ready for the energy transition,” says Verhoeff. “Conversions like Anthos show how we can move toward zero emissions responsibly.”
Time: The Ultimate Luxury
While cost savings are not the driving factor, time is. A new 150-metre custom yacht can take up to five years to deliver. A conversion like Anthos could shorten that by 12 to 24 months — a major advantage for today’s clients eager to bring their vision to life.
“For many owners, time saved is more valuable than money,” Verhoeff concludes. “Project Anthos challenges conventions and opens the door to a new chapter in sustainable superyacht design.”
A New Definition of Rebirth at Sea
Oceanco’s Project Anthos is not just a design exercise — it’s a manifesto for the future of large-yacht construction. By merging engineering precision, sustainable innovation, and aesthetic daring, it turns a utilitarian vessel into a floating masterpiece of reinvention.
From steel container ship to superyacht sanctuary, Anthos embodies a new philosophy: luxury with a conscience, reborn from the ocean’s working past.
