Dr. Mohammed Al Barwani of Oman owns Oceanco, builder of yachts to 100m and more. In an interview, made available by the Dutch superyacht builder and previously published in the Dutch boat builders magazine Jachtbouw Nederland, he airs his views (here edited for brevity) on sector issues, notably climate change.
“Building vast yachts is no measure of success. Nor the most sensible ambition. We work to reduce our carbon footprint and more than halve our impact on the environment by 2030. We aim for all our electric power to come from renewable energy and to be 100% waste-free or circular in 10 years.”
From ‘nice-to-have’ to ‘must-have’
“I see a marked rise in client discussions about sustainability. The latter is shifting from ‘nice-to-have’ to ‘must-have.’ We have invested heavily in our headquarters and finishing facilities, including a groundwater heat pump system going down 200m. And solar roof panels generating 200,000 kWh a year. Our corporate social responsibility affects the products we build, our buildings, our work process, working conditions of our employees and co-makers.”
COVID’s legacy
“It has made owners desire more freedom, adventure and family time in safety and privacy. We have clients asking for more autonomy, so it takes longer before they have to go ashore for provisions and fuel.”
Natural selection
“The development of the yacht building industry resembles natural selection in an ecosystem. We saw explosive market growth in the first decade of the century, followed by a correction in the number of builders in the tough post-2008 years. Then a decade in which the most prestigious builders filled their order books again and lesser-known brands met extra demand by building bigger.”
Pushing boundaries
“Yacht builders must push boundaries. Through our Oceanco NXT undertaking, we collaborate with experts from different industries. To align our thinking about yachts and their designs with our customers’ lifestyles and values. What began as a conversation about sustainable innovation became a broader assessment of every aspect of life on board.”
Niche perfection
“We prefer to offer something that suits a niche group and not satisfy everyone with something average. The industry must see itself as part of the world of technology and innovation. By collaborating with experts from outside yacht building, we can learn from them.”
Life cycle support
“When I became active in yacht building, I was surprised to find many builders having little involvement with their post-warranty yachts. Maintenance and refit were seen as trivial. At Oceanco, we see customers as part of the family for life. Hence our ‘Life Cycle Support’ policy.”
The future
“I am always interested in new opportunities if they excite me. It doesn’t always have to be about big profits. There are many reasons to buy a company if it appeals to me personally. I have always been passionate about Oman and the country’s growth potential for the yachting sector. We boast the most beautiful cruising grounds imaginable. I have talked with the government about developing that. Perhaps more as a personal passion project than a full business venture.”
