The New Age of Ocean Exploration: Inside the RV11000 Project

By Katie Scott 2 June 2026

As VARD secures a record-breaking contract for Inkfish's new 162-meter research vessel, Project RV11000 joins a growing fleet of highly specialized projects, including REV Ocean and Captain Arctic, that are reshaping the future of exploration at sea.

With industry-wide movements gaining ever more traction on the progress towards a greener footprint, the latest collaborative contract between Inkfish and VARD continues to move the boundaries of yacht design, introducing further innovative solutions and methods to explore, restore, and protect the deepest depths of the ocean.

YachtCharterFleet takes a closer look at Gabe Newell's latest addition to his fleet of luxury yachts and the impact it has on the yachting industry's efforts to bring harmony back to the world beneath the waves.

Breaking records for Norwegian shipbuilding

Hitting headlines left, right, and center, the confirmed contract signing for Project RV11000 marks a pivotal step for the region and the yachting industry as a whole, as the largest single-vessel order for the fleet of VARD yachts, and Norway's largest ever order on record.

Announcing a preliminary estimated delivery date for 2030, the project is reportedly valued at around €700,000 with a length of 531.49ft (162m) and a beam of 91.86ft (28m).

With her future not currently destined to join the global fleet of luxury yacht charters, Project RV11000 holds a wealth of potential for combining deep-sea exploration with the growing desire to experience far-reaching charter destinations.

Early reports of the onboard layout depict a broad range of scientific equipment installations and enough accommodation to comfortably host up to 130 crew members and scientists, alongside dedicated workspaces such as laboratories, workshops, and offices.

The RV11000 is not just another research vessel; it represents a new level of ambition in deep-sea exploration.
Rune Rødset, SVP Sales and Marketing, Vard

Project RV11000 interiors rendering with large screen

The scientific capabilities of RV11000

Designed as a highly specialized platform with deep-sea research at its core, Project RV11000 projects a seemingly endless supply of capabilities that will potentially lead to groundbreaking discoveries following her delivery in a few years' time.

Before even contemplating her advanced scientific equipment, a key feature of her design will be the implementation of the largest battery ever installed on a vessel.

This inclusion may sound less exciting than some of the other equipment due to be included within the build; however, this solution will be critical to the success of some expeditions, with it supporting low-noise (silent-mode) capabilities for research that will heavily depend on highly sensitive acoustic research.

Project RV11000 interior rendering with large windows and conference room

While the idea of super quiet environments is crucial to accurate research, and also highly appealing to those wanting a peaceful charter around Northern Europe, Project RV11000 also hosts varied dedicated handling systems such as moonpool access and specialist deck equipment for complex deployments of scientific equipment.

Enabling the execution of vehicle operations for extended reach for surveying, VARD's latest project will also include the function to deploy and recover ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) with exploration leading to depths of 11,000 meters.

Combining all these aspects, and more, which are yet to be disclosed, some of the research capabilities for Project RV11000 include:

Seafloor mapping across previously uncharted regions
Coring and sampling operations for geological and environmental research
Submarine support operations with manned dives to full ocean depth

Connecting Project RV11000 to the wider yachting industry

Proving that the growing trend of expedition charters and exploration is indeed continuing to accelerate rather than slow down, Project RV11000 follows on from the previous collaboration between Inkfish and VARD, which was contracted in 2025.

Known as RV6000, the 328ft (100m) vessel will also be on the Inkfish fleet alongside RV HYDRA and RV DAGON, expanding the abilities for marine research and efforts for protecting the fragile environments, like other movements seen by the Monaco Yacht Show and its promotion of the Blue Wake program.

Project RV11000 interior rednering with large tables and seating

Project RV11000 cabin rendering with single berth

Project RV11000 cabin rendering with berth and desk

RV11000 will be a custom-built platform that pushes the boundaries of what is possible for marine research, strengthening our ability to support scientists and unlock new understanding of the ocean.
Stu Buckle, New Builds and Special Projects , Inkfish

Building the connection to the world of luxury yachting, the signing of Project RV11000 is the latest projection for Gabe Newell's wider maritime interests.

Recently taking the delivery of 364ft (111m) superyacht LEVIATHAN in November 2025, Newell caused a stir in the industry as details emerged from the extensive refit of 300ft (91.5m) superyacht DRAAK; as she made the transformation from an indulgent Mediterranean yacht charter to a purpose-built support vessel to accompany LEVIATHAN.

DRAAK

Read More About Superyacht DRAAK's Transformation

Superyacht DRAAK Reborn: Inside Oceanco’s Major Rebuild of a Former Charter Icon

Building on the new era of science vessels

Despite being a record-breaking contract and an incredible project set to reach largely undiscovered stretches of ocean, Project RV11000 continues on the route that has been paved by the long-awaited 639.5ft (194.9m) superyacht charter REV OCEAN.

Also being built at the VARD facilities, REV OCEAN has had an eventful journey from her initial drawings to her final stages of construction, due to design adjustments and challenges along the way.

Superyacht charter REV OCEAN interior rendering with equipment

Superyacht charter REV OCEAN dive center rendering

Scheduled for delivery in the near future, this dominant motor yacht charter has been designed as a hybrid research, exploration, and charter-ready vessel, with prospective charter income assisting in the funding of critical onboard research.

Offering a staggering range of 21,120 nautical miles, dual helipads, a 35-seater cinema, deep dive submersibles, sonar capabilities, and loads more, REV OCEAN will dominate the rankings for the world's largest yacht for charter with effortless prowess.

Superyacht charter REV OCEAN interior rendering with large windows

Superyacht charter REV OCEAN interiors rendering with column

Superyacht charter REV OCEAN library rendering

Find Out More About Charter Yacht REV OCEAN

195M superyacht REV OCEAN on the move: The world's largest yacht for charter embarks on sea trials

Building a fleet of yachts capable of working together to make incredible scientific discoveries, rather than battling against each other, side-by-side it becomes clearer how these two mammoth vessels will both prove beneficial to marine research.

Project RV11000	REV OCEAN
162m	194.9m
Dedicated research vessel	Research & expedition vessel
Inkfish	REV Ocean Foundation
11,000m operational capability	Broad ocean-science focus
Delivery 2030	Delivery 2026/27

At the same time as the developments being witnessed for supersize exploration vessels, motor and sailing charter yachts such as 226.5ft (69m) superyacht rental CAPTAIN ARCTIC demonstrate how scientific capability is becoming a more prominent feature of the luxury yacht sector, with owners and primary charter guests increasingly seeking laboratories, dive facilities, submersible systems and specialist expedition equipment alongside traditional guest amenities.

CAPTAIN ARCTIC

VARD's position on the research sector

Now with multiple landmark projects underway, shipyard VARD has a largely prominent stance on the progressive movement to secure and protect the future of the majestic depths under the sea.

With more details due to emerge in the coming months as Project RV1100 commences construction, the message is clear that the yachting industry moves as one to provide an increasingly eco-aware experience from the charter routes of the Caribbean to the furthest reaches of Antarctica.

Though Project RV11000 is not listed for charter, there are many private charter yachts equipped to showcase some of the most beautiful and undisturbed coastlines in the world.

To find out more about how you can experience untouched paradise, reach out to a yacht charter broker today and have a look at all expedition yacht charters on YachtCharterFleet.