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.
Vard
The duo will join Newell’s rapidly expanding Inkfish fleet, which includes the newly delivered Oceanco gigayacht, Leviathan, and research vessels Hydra and Dagon. Newell, who revolutionized the PC gaming industry by launching Steam, cofounding Valve Corporation, and creating hits like Half-Life, has become a serious player in the yacht industry, establishing Inkfish in 2021 and acquiring Dutch yard Oceanco in 2025. He has also amassed quite a selection of superyachts, including the 258-foot Lürssen Rocinante, the 237-foot Damen Game Changer, and the 305-foot Oceanco Draak, as reported by SuperYacht Times.
RV11000 will stand apart from the rest of the Inkfish fleet, featuring what Vard claims is the largest battery system ever installed on a ship. The setup allows for 12 hours of silent operation, the yard says. The 531-footer will also be equipped with Seasonics gear to help with the launch and recovery of submarines and ROVs, including a stern-mounted A-frame system, a scientific winch system, onboard cranes, and an offshore crane.
“No other vessel has combined such a wide range of newly developed and highly advanced technologies into a single platform dedicated to operating at the deepest parts of the ocean,” added Rune Rødset, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Vard.
With a beam of nearly 92 feet, the behemoth will sleep up to 130 crew and scientists, mostly in single cabins. The interiors, described as “high-end” by Vard, will comprise shared living areas, as well as offices, laboratories, and workshops.
The hull of RV11000 will be built at Vard’s facility in Romania, while the outfitting, commissioning, and delivery will be from one of its Norwegian yards. Delivery is scheduled for early 2030.
Click here to see more photos of RV11000.
Vard
