The Dutch yard Oceanco has officially delivered its boldest build yet: the 111-metre superyacht Leviathan, owned by Valve co-founder Gabe Newell. Following successful sea trials off Stellendam, Leviathan makes a compelling statement in modern yacht building — more than just a luxury craft, she embodies a human-first, purpose-driven philosophy.
At every stage, Leviathan’s concept was built around collaboration. Newell worked closely with Oceanco, external naval architects from Lateral, and his operational crew and technical representatives (YTMC), ensuring that both the design and systems delivered on well-being, community and efficiency. In the words of Newell, “We knew we were asking for unusual things, and Oceanco embraced it with open arms.”
The yacht’s technical architecture underpins her forward-thinking mission. Leviathan uses a diesel-electric propulsion system, supplemented with a 5.5 MWh battery pack — allowing for silent, low-emission operation, especially at anchor or during nighttime cruising. Combined with advanced wastewater treatment, the engineering reflects an uncompromising standard for sustainability.
Onboard, Leviathan is not just a floating palace — she’s a working ecosystem. Designed for up to 26 guests and 37 crew, she features a layout that deliberately promotes interaction: guest and crew spaces overlap more than on traditional superyachts, fostering community and operational flow. The bridge deck lounge, for example, hosts 15 high-end gaming stations, two driving simulators and large social areas — a nod to Newell’s tech legacy and his desire for shared, creative spaces.
Material choices reinforce Leviathan’s philosophy of efficiency and longevity. Traditional teak and wood rails are replaced by synthetic composites; glass bulkheads stretch full height to maximise light and openness; and honed stone surfaces and wool carpeting were selected for durability and minimal maintenance.
Stability and comfort were also central to the naval design. The hull, based on Oceanco’s proven DE-Series platform, was optimised through extensive testing with MARIN to deliver low noise, long roll periods, and refined motion at sea and anchor. The yacht’s stabilisation suite includes MagLift + XT fins, while clever ballast design ensures excellent seakeeping.
Perhaps most symbolically, a custom glass panel in Leviathan’s main staircase is etched with the names of over 2,000 contributors to her creation — a tribute to the human network that brought this vision to life.
Oceanco’s own CEO, Marcel Onkenhout, described Leviathan as “nothing about her would be done in a traditional way.” With her delivery, she stands not only among the largest yachts in the Oceanco fleet — second only to the 127 m Koru and 117 m Infinity — but also as a vessel that asks more of its mission than pure prestige.
In Leviathan, Oceanco and Newell have charted new waters: a superyacht built not just for travel, but as a collaborative home, a research platform, and a statement of shared purpose.
