REV Ocean: Work restarts on world's largest superyacht after 2 year delay

Update 10/11/2023: REV Ocean Foundation has now made the following statement about the continuation of works on the 182.9-metre yacht; 

"An agreement on completion of the REV Ocean vessel has been reached with the shipbuilder VARD. To ensure the functionality of the vessel, the vessel will be lengthened by 12 meters and modified in certain areas. This will also provide more space and increased science capacity in the main hangar of the vessel. VARD now expect to deliver the vessel in February 2025, which means that the vessel will be operational from Q4 2026. VARD will undertake the rebuild at VARD’s facilities and in dock at suitable location in Norway. Final completion activities will as previously planned be carried out after delivery from VARD at a location to be decided closer to VARD’s delivery. "

In addition to this statement, the team has shared new renders of the yacht, which show the reduction of her upper decks and the removal of the original glass observation space. --------

After a highly publicised 2 year pause in construction, work has restarted on the 182.9-metre research superyacht REV Ocean, according to Norways business newspaper E24. REV Ocean, which is due to be the largest superyacht in the world when launched, belongs to Norwegian businessman Kjell Inge Røkke and has been designed as a floating research facility.  Photo: Espen Gjelsten / FuglefjelletIn 2021, SuperYacht Times published the news that Nina Jensen, the project manager behind the multi-million dollar research project, had gone public with some of the issues causing the delay. These included "technical problems with the construction, which is being undertaken by the Vard Group, including issues relating to the weight of the yacht."

The recent article reports that major works are now underway and that the vessel is currently undergoing a "rebuild" with the top deck now having been removed. Located at the Vard shipyard outside Ålesund, Norway, it has been reported that the yacht is due to be lengthened by up to 12-metres, to counter some of the stability issues that arose in 2021. Photo: Lawrence HislopFeaturing exterior design from Espen Øino International and interiors from H2 Yacht Design, the new works on the superyacht are predicted to continue over the coming year. In research mode, REV has been designed to carry up to 60 scientists and 30 crew members or up to 36 guests and 54 crew if being used for luxury expeditions.

Reports in 2021 suggested that due to the complications and delays, the overall cost of the project could edge towards $500 million.