Dutch shipyard Van der Valk has launched its largest yacht to date, the 39.92-metre Project EVO, at its facilities in Waalwijk, the Netherlands.
The yacht was officially christened MY Shine during a launch ceremony attended by her owners, the craftsmen involved in the build, representatives from the design and engineering teams, owner’s representative Thom Conboy and other members of the project team.
Exterior styling for Shine was developed by Cristiano Gatto Design, based on an original concept by SFG Design.
Cristiano Gatto Design was appointed to develop the general arrangement and interior design, refining deck areas and contributing to the evolution of the exterior lines.
The owner wanted a micro-megayacht built to the same standards as a 60- or 70-metre project.
Cristiano Gatto
“The project began with a preliminary concept of around 36 metres based on a profile drawn by SFG Design, while the clients were searching for an interior designer to develop the layout and style,” said Cristiano Gatto, founder of Cristiano Gatto Design.
“We met during the Palm Beach International Boat Show in March 2023 and started discussing furniture, including a collection I was designing at the time.
“That shared interest created a strong connection and from there we were able to shape the concept into the 40-metre yacht she is today.”
A central part of the brief was to keep the yacht within an owner-friendly size, while achieving the level of finish expected on larger yachts.
80 different materials
“The goal was not simply to build a boat,” Gatto explained. “The owner wanted a micro-megayacht built to the same standards as a 60- or 70-metre project. The result exceeded my expectations.”
The interior features nearly 80 different materials, including ebony wood and leather finishes. Custom furniture pieces are integrated throughout the yacht.
Shine features a round-bilge, fast displacement hull refined by Ginton Naval Architects, an aluminium construction and twin MTU 16V2000 engines.
The yacht is expected to achieve a cruising speed of 19 knots and a top speed in the low 20-knot range.
From the earliest discussions with the owners and design team, it was clear this project would push boundaries in both design, engineering, and craftmanship.
Yoeri Bijker
“When we joined the project in 2023, two major challenges were immediately clear,” says Jaron Ginton, principal of Ginton Naval Architects.
“There was a maximum beam restriction of 8.5 metres due to canal lock limitations, while the yacht also needed to meet the requirements for unrestricted navigation.”
Computational fluid dynamics studies helped refine the hull form, while features such as outboard placed rudders allowed for a shallower shaft angle.
Diana Yacht Design supported the project with structural engineering, integrating the exterior styling, interior layout and fast-displacement hull into a cohesive structure.
Pushing boundaries
“The aft section was particularly complex,” explained Casper Marelis, designer and naval architect at Diana Yacht Design.
“The transformer multifunctional swim platform, outboard rudders, aft transom door and two drop-down balconies all needed to be incorporated seamlessly into the profile.
“At the same time, large main-deck windows and an open interior layout reduced the number of structural support points, which required careful engineering.”
“From the earliest discussions with the owners and design team, it was clear this project would push boundaries in both design, engineering, and craftmanship” says Yoeri Bijker, commercial director at Van der Valk.
Shine will now undergo sea trials and final commissioning ahead of delivery in time for the summer season.
