Espen Oeino – “I Work in the Industry of Trust”

Long-term resident Espen Oeino is the visionary creator behind some of the most recognisable superyachts in the world. In the heart of the Principality, located on the Quai Lucciana, he is a man of relentless imagination for each one of his clients.

Visionary Naval Architect Espen Oeino was born in Norway into a multi-generation boatbuilder family. 

“In Norway, many people own a summer house and it was and still is common to use a boat for the most basic means of transportation,” – explains Espen.

Growing up in this environment, it is no surprise that Espen was already sailing on the waters at an early age.

By the 1960s, the industry changed and materials such as traditional wood were replaced by glass fibre, or popularly known as fibreglass. As it became more and more important to reinforce various materials such as boat hulls, the traditionally handcrafted boat manufacturers slowly went out of business.

However, the passion for water and boats stayed anchored in Espen, who wanted to become a designer of pleasure boats. As a young man, his dream was to design small motor boats and sailing boats.

Espen started to study engineering and naval architecture at the University in Scotland and also went to boarding school in Normandy.

“I remember that as I discovered the South of France, I fell in love with Monaco. It has such a great location. 

As a Norwegian, I love skiing and Monaco gives me the opportunity to delight in my passions. The sea and its beautiful harbour and the Alp’s finest skiing regions.”

The Principality of Monaco offers over 300 days of sunshine and a mild, Mediterranean climate, yet just within a 100 km distance, one can find both French and Italian ski resorts.

“I really liked the fact that within a 10-minute helicopter ride, one can head for a first-class skiing weekend.”

Fascinated by the French Riviera, Espen started a summer job in Antibes, a resort town between Cannes and Nice. This was the time when he first got involved in motorboat design.

“I remember our company specialised in designing sailing boats. One day the owner got an inquiry to participate in a competition to design a motorboat. We were outsiders, yet miraculously we won the competition. This was my “accidental” entry to the motorboat design,” – laughs Espen.

When it comes to design, what are the sources of your inspirations?

“First of all, when you do this kind of job, you have to be observant. I look out and scan the horizon all the time. Also, nature and music play a major part in my inspirations. I try to stick things in my mind to remember them, so later on I can transport them to my projects.”

Are your brothers as well in the yachting industry?

“No, my brothers are not in the industry. They are in the oil industry. One is a mechanical engineer and the other is a geologist, searching for oil. I am the one who carries on with the family legacy, although all three of us are connected to the ocean through our work.”

Do you think designing a superyacht is a rational, straightforward process?

“When it comes to engineering, it is. I am a rational guy, but some of the design processes are not always rational. Sometimes inspiration spontaneously strikes you. 

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and have the solutions,” – says Espen. – “Designing is an ongoing process of observing the images. 

I try to sketch a lot, and I often draw multiple versions of yachts. The most important thing is to know the general message and idea. Once you have that in your mind, you will find a great way to convey that message. But you have to draw a lot to trigger new ideas.”

What was the biggest challenge in your career?

“Sometimes you get a “writer’s block”. Yacht design is a creative process, not a mechanical job. You don’t think about it consciously because you cannot plan inspiration. 

Sometimes you also have to put down the pen and do something else, because creativity cannot be forced. Great inspiration always finds you when the time is right.”

Espen is really into the creative process. Just walking around his office, one can observe multiple examples of this, starting from boat models, but also helicopter and ski designs. A man with a limitless imagination to constantly create.

“It is funny, because I always say that I never work. However, if you ask my wife, she would say I always work from early morning into late hours. Design is my passion, and when you are lucky enough to fulfil your dreams, you don’t see it as work anymore.”

Since 2006, Espen is officially a resident of the Principality of Monaco. He is married to the renowned Monégasque interior designer, Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino, whom he met in Monaco.

Does your wife, Sabrina help your work with design inspirations?

“She does, of course,” – smiles Espen. – “When we design a yacht, we normally do the floor plan deck by deck and also the external appearance of the yacht. Sabrina often inspires me when it comes to materials and textures. We complement each other.”

Who are you inspired by in the design world?

“I was mostly inspired by Jon Bannenberg, the English-Australian yacht designer. His name is not really known to the general public, but he was the one who invented the industry of contemporary custom yacht design. 

He started as a decorator, focussing on interiors and then he moved to the exterior as well. I admire him a lot for what he did. It is thanks to him that we design big floating homes today.”

Did you ever have a chance to work with him?

“Yes, I had the privilege to meet and later also to work with him. His design was fresh and new. His death in 2002 was a great loss to the industry. On an interesting note,” – continues Espen – “when I worked for the sailboat company in Antibes and we won the motorboat tender, he was also among our main competitors.”

The superyacht industry is a very niche market. Can you remember what was the greatest advice you have ever received that helped you to develop into the man you are today?

“If you cannot write down in one sentence what you are setting out to do, you don’t know what you are doing,” – starts Espen. – “As rule number one, you should always establish a clear brief. 

The accomplishment of some of our superyacht projects takes up to 5-6 years, so a clear vision is absolutely necessary. The other thing I learned is to always think in the long-term.”

Can you please explain this?

“We are in the superyacht business. I am working in an industry of trust. People don’t realise it, but a superyacht is the most important investment for most clients. It costs way more than a house or a private jet, and often the building process is more time-consuming. 

For this reason, it is important to know what skills you have and what you don’t. One should never be afraid to tell a client that a certain area is not part of his/her experience. When there is trust, there is always a solution.”

What was the project that made you globally known?

“It was the SKAT. The mathematician behind Excel and Microsoft, commissioned me to design a superyacht for him. It was fantastic to work with him, and he loved being part of the process. 

As a result, we created one of the ten most iconic yachts of all time. I made my name with SKAT and it is close to my heart. But it is a game-changer yacht, people either hate it or love it.”

It is unfair to ask a father to choose between his “children”, but do you have a favourite design of yours? 

“Always the one I am working on,” – laughs Espen.

Which is the project that you are most proud of?

“Coming from Norway, I can relate more to small boats. As a kid, I always wanted to design pleasure boats. Finally, after 25 years and more than 50 superyachts, I reached my dream. 

I am proud that we have designed the Shamal with WINDY, a production pleasure boat, for one of the top Scandinavian boat builders.”

The Windy 37 Shamal Sportsboat was designed by Espen and was unveiled in 2020. Espen already envisioned and drew this boat in many sketches as a child, and even today when she became a reality, she looks stunning.

With its modern retro-styling, she celebrates “ease of use boating”, in 21st-century style and grand comfort.

Regarding your designs, what do you think is the newest design trend that will dictate the future?

“Well, yachts are not really intended for work, such as transfer boats or ferries that take you from A to B. The purpose of a yacht is more for pleasure. 

Still, our contribution to the environment has to be a positive one. Therefore, reducing emissions during the life cycle of the boat is a key topic in the industry. I am glad to see that the energy transition is finding its way to the yachting industry.

I also work very closely with the Sea Index, where we try to encourage people to improve their carbon footprint.

I also actively support the Water Revolution Foundation, which is more about the way we design and the choice of building materials, proportions, and the overall impact during the life cycle of the yacht.”

Can you tell us a design example that makes a superyacht more efficient?

“The easiest to understand is the weight. For example, when you use aluminium as a building material, you immediately reduce the weight. Smaller weight needs less energy to move the yacht through the water.

When you design a slender body, the yacht can be more efficient, but it will offer less space, or rather the space will be distributed differently.”

You mentioned before that pleasure boats are like homes.

“Yes, if you see yachts built 50 years ago, they have those iconic tiny rounded cab windows. Nowadays, modern yachts are built with large windows, offering better views and more daylight.”

One of the latest design concepts of Espen is the stunning 320-metre residential superyacht concept MY Ulyssia, presented at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2024.

It is developed as a  collaboration between Espen Oeino and Meyer Werft, offering 119 residences and 13 guest suites onboard.

“This is by far the largest project we have been involved in.”

This new superyacht icon involves collaborations with 8 world-class interior designers, including Espen’s wife, the renown Monaco-based designer Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino, and celebrities such as Lenny Kravitz, collectively appointed to give individuality to the apartments.

The design team has also promised to introduce the most technologically advanced and sustainable power system available, including a fully integrated system for recycling and processing waste.

On a final note, do you miss Norway?

“Yes, but I always try to go there a few times during the year, as this also allows me to visit my family, which is very important to me.”