THIS MONTH’s
1 WORLD’S BIGGEST SUPERYACHT
Azzam’s eight-year reign as the world’s longest superyacht is about to be cut short by an even bigger megayacht. This new nine-deck steel explorer known as REV (short for Research Expedition Vessel) measures an astonishing 602ft (183.6m), eclipsing the six-deck Azzam by more than 8ft (2.6m), although for sheer volume it still ranks second behind the 534ft (164m) Omani royal cruise-ship Fulk Al Salamah
This is no ordinary superyacht, however, if such a thing even exists. Commissioned by Norwegian fishing industry billionaire owner, Kjell Inge Røkke, it forms part of a massive philanthropic give-back to the oceans that helped generate his wealth. For part of every year REV will double as a scientific platform that will further our understanding of the oceans and help generate strategies to mitigate three crucial threats – plastics pollution, acidification and over-fishing. His foundation has the support of both the World Wildlife Fund and the UN’s Environment Programme.
Her design was entrusted to Norwegian naval architect and superyacht designer Espen Øino. She was fabricated on the Danube in Romania but has been in fit-out at the Brattvåg yard in Norway since summer 2020 and will soon be moved to Lloyd Werft in Germany for final finishing.
SCIENTIFIC REV-OLUTION
A diesel-electric propulsion system that includes two gigantic 2.7MW Wärtsilä main engines delivers a top speed of around 18 knots and a world girdling range of almost 22,000nm when throttled back to 11 knots.
As well as a crew complement of 36 and a few VIP cabins, she will also be able to accommodate up to 54 scientists, who will be invited aboard by Røkke’s Rev Ocean foundation. For this reason
