During the Maritime Awards Gala on 7 November in Rotterdam, Feadship and Royal van Lent received the KNVTS Ship of the Year Award for their superyacht Viva. The yacht beat the cutter suction dredger Spartacus and the Antarctic research vessel and icebreaker Nuyina.

The Viva is an eco-friendly 94-metre pure custom Feadship with an advanced hybrid propulsion system. This allows Viva to travel a comfortable 12 knots on diesel-electric power. The yacht’s consistency in all aspects landed it the 2022 Motoryacht of the Year award at the 2022 BOAT International World Superyacht Awards.

The giant glass construction is a prominent feature in the exterior design by Feadship Studio De Voogt and Azure. Painted in a special pearl-white livery, the hull has been designed, engineered and built to be as efficient as possible and reduce the engine power.

According to the jury, the Viva is a ship that excels in perfection from A to Z: ‘Notable are the consistent material choices, the clever use of space and the complex constructions in steel, aluminium and glass. The curved windows that run the entire length of the superstructure are an engineering feat. Under the bonnet, the unique performance and cooperation of designers, engineers, builders and management are underlined with an efficient, vibration-free and silent hybrid propulsion system.’

Also read: Ferry Bryggen wins KNVTS Ship of the Year Award 2021

Other nominees

The other nominees for the KNVTS Ship of the Year Award 2022 are:

  • Spartacus, the world’s largest and most powerful cutter suction dredger, designed and built by Royal IHC.
  • RSV Nuyina, the most advanced research vessel in the world, designed and built by Damen Naval.

Watch a video covering all three nominees (in Dutch) below.

Also read: Dutch Navy’s Van Hengel-Spengler Award goes to Unmanned Dipping Sonar Boat design

KNVTS Ship of the Year

Ships that qualify for the Maritime Award: KNVTS Ship of the Year 2022 must – especially with regard to innovative aspects – have been developed in the Netherlands, have preferably been built (for at least a large part) in the Netherlands and must have been delivered between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022. The jury will assess the submitted ships against the criteria Design, Economy, Sustainability and Environment, Safety and Construction Process.

The winner will be announced at the Maritime Awards Gala, which takes place on 7 November at De Doelen in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In total, five awards will be presented. The other four are the Maritime Innovation Award, the Maritime KVNR Shipping Award, the Maritime Designer Award and the Maritime Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) Van Hengel-Spengler Award.