Hans Kortlevers Acquires Jongert, Plans 55m and 500-GT Motor Catamaran

Hans Kortlevers has acquired Jongert Yachts, the historic Dutch yard, and immediately set out a two-pronged plan that broadens the yard’s focus to include very large multihull motor platforms alongside its established custom builds. Kortlevers is advancing a 55-metre flagship project of roughly 500 GT and a separate 500-GT motor catamaran concept that prioritises volume, stability and long-range capability. The move positions Jongert to compete in the superyacht space where demand for high-volume, fuel-efficient multihulls is growing.

Jongert’s pedigree underpins the reboot. Founded in 1953, the yard has launched more than 325 vessels and has longstanding experience in steel and aluminium construction. Jongert has collaborated with leading naval architects on bespoke projects and maintains active refit and service operations, offering a ready platform for new large-scale programmes. Kortlevers’ acquisition is framed as an effort to marry that craftsmanship with a contemporary design language suitable for owners seeking the living-space advantages of catamarans without sacrificing seakeeping and range.

For owners and brokers, the proposals matter in concrete ways. A 55-metre platform around 500 GT delivers significantly more interior volume and beam than comparable monohulls, reducing heel and offering shallower draft for island-hopping and protected-anchorage access. The 500-GT motor catamaran concept explicitly emphasises long-range capability, which will attract long-distance passagemakers and expedition-minded buyers who want multihull stability with superyacht comforts. For crew and operators, larger multihulls can change layout demands, maintenance schedules and tender/garage arrangements, so shipyard planning and owner briefs will need to adapt accordingly.

For the local and specialist supply chain, Kortlevers’ plans open doors. Suppliers of aluminium work, specialised joinery sized for wide-beam interiors, systems integrators experienced with distributed machinery and refit yards handling steel and aluminium will see demand if Jongert moves concept work into series or semi-custom production. Naval architects who specialise in multihull hullforms and efficient propulsion packages likewise stand to be engaged as designs mature.

Kortlevers’ acquisition, announced on January 22, 2026, is a clear signal that investor appetite continues for superyacht-scale multihulls. For readers following the catamaran market, expect Jongert to become a testing ground for high-volume, long-range motor catamarans that combine established Dutch shipbuilding with contemporary styling. Watch for design releases, naval-architect partnerships and yard capacity announcements as the next steps; those milestones will determine whether Jongert’s new direction anchors a broader shift in superyacht preferences.