Gabe Newell is expanding his ocean empire.
The billionaire’s marine research organization, Inkfish, just signed a contract with Norwegian shipyard Vard for the design and construction of a new 531-foot vessel. The contract is valued at nearly 700 million euros, or roughly $816 million, making it the largest order ever secured by Vard for a single vessel. It is also the largest order of its kind for any Norwegian yard, Vard claims.
Developed by Vard’s in-house design studio, in collaboration with Inkfish, YTMC, and the Fincantieri Group, the new RV11000 was tailor-made for seafloor mapping and deep-sea exploration. It is based on the Vard 9 42 model and takes design cues from Ikfish’s first purpose-built research vessel, the 328-foot RV6000, which Vard is set to deliver in 2028.
“We are extremely proud that Inkfish has returned to Vard Group for another research vessel,” Vard CEO Cathrine Kristiseter Marti said in a statement. “This vessel is truly unique in all terms with a high level of new design ideas and technological solutions.”
One of the offices.
