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This Epic New 456-Foot Expedition Yacht Concept Has a Pointed Bow That Cuts Through Choppy Seas

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Ulstein ’s newest expedition yacht concept is sharp in more ways than one. Not only does it have the pointed front end of a Great White, it’s also jam-packed with cutting-edge technology to carry out marine research from the most distant corners of the globe.

The gargantuan vessel, dubbed CX127 , spans a staggering 456 feet in length and has been engineered to withstand the harshest waters. It sports the Norweigan shipbuilder’s signature X-Bow and an ice-class hull that together promise to make mincemeat of choppy seas.

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Designed for the commercial shipping sector, Ulstein’s X-Bow first debuted on the explorer yacht Olivia O last year. It has a unique inverted shape that reduces impact and resistance by piercing the waves rather than crushing them and causing spray. This ensures a softer, drier ride for those onboard and also protects the hull from general wear and tear.

The CX127 is equipped with a crane, A-frame and moon pools.  Ulstein Group

Furthermore, the X-Bow design allows for more interior space forward than other vessels of this size. In the CX127, this additional volume will be dedicated to state-of-the-art scientific facilities and laboratories outfitted for marine research.

Elsewhere, the sizable 16,000 GT vessel features cabins for 12 guests and quarters that can sleep 120 crew. Naturally, there is no shortage of high-end amenities. Seafarers will have access to numerous swimming pools, alfresco dining areas, bars and the requisite sun lounges.

The vessel boasts all the requisite high-end amenities.  Ulstein Group

The CX127 also has space for two helicopters for further land-based exploration, as well as ROV and AUV submarines for deep-sea dives. As you might expect from an explorer this size, the vessel is fitted with a crane, A-frame and moon pools to enable the seamless launching of the subs, tenders and other gear.

The CX127 was unveiled alongside two other vessel concepts, the CX126 and the CX128. A spokesperson for Ulstein told Robb Report that these platforms are to be adapted and customized to each owner’s requirements, case by case. Therefore, the yard is not able to share “too much” at this stage. Suffice it to say, we should expect to see a few more shark-like vessels circling the seas in the near future.

Check out more renders of the vessel below:

Ulstein Group

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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February 16 2021

16 Feb 2021

ULSTEIN’S X-BOW SUPERYACHT SERIES: THE ERGONOMIC 98M ECO-EXPLORER YACHT

The Ulstein Group has released a new series of yacht design concepts, the X-Bow series, that includes the 97.8-metre yacht  CX126 .  

Central to the series and the  CX126 , is the group’s original X-Bow design seen on the 2020-delivered 88.51-metre yacht,  Olivia O . The inverted-bow, other than its unique aesthetic, serves to split the wave distribution thus decreasing impact and vibrations compared to a traditional bow shape.   The nature-inspired shape has several functional purposes such as improved power efficiency, increased comfort and reduced slamming. Previously used on more than 100 vessels, Ulstein’s technology has only recently been adopted to the superyacht market.

Designed to explore and handle a breadth of conditions, the  CX126  makes use of the X-Bow design. The large, 5,100 GT yacht can accommodate as many as 36 guests across luxury accommodation, 36 crew members and a full range of toys. To enhance the guest experience, her exterior will be equipped with large, comfortable lounge areas – including a viewing lounge in the bow –  and an aft helicopter landing area.

In addition to the eco-friendly benefits provided by the X-Bow, the  CX126  can be designed to include further green initiatives, allowing her guests to explore some of the world’s most undisturbed natural areas. 

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Five Most Notable X-BOW Vessels

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There is no denying that ULSTEIN’s X-BOW®  hull design made a splash in the maritime and offshore world when it was introduced with the launching M/V Bourbon Orca in 2005. Since then, over 60 vessels have been built with the patented inverted bow design that is said to improve handling in rough seas and lower fuel consumption.

In fact, Ulstein’s X-BOW® hull design has made such an impact that it has been chosen as one of the eight best Norwegian innovations since 1980 by the Norwegian newspaper, Aftenposten .

With that in mind, here is a look at the top five vessels featuring the patented X-BOW® hull and if you’re impressed,  vote for the  X-BOW HERE . 

Top Five Most Notable X-BOW Vessels

1. Bourbon Orca, Type AX104

The first vessel to feature the X-BOW hull, the Bourbon Orca is an AHTS that was delivered to Bourbon Offshore Norway in 2006 and received a number of awards, including the Engineering Feat of the Year award from the Norwegian Design Council, and Offshore Support Journal’s and Skipsrevyen’s (otherwise known as SMM) prestigious “Ship of the Year” Awards.

In January 2007, the Bourbon Orca went out from the coast of Norway together with the supply boats Skandi Caledonia and Havila Faith. In head-to-head competition, here is what happened:

2. Bourbon Mistral, Type PX105

In January 2007, the Bourbon Mistral was delivered to Bourbon Offshore Norway and was the first platform supply vessel to feature the X-BOW.

3. Viking Poseidon, Type SX121

The Viking Poseidon is an Offshore Construction Vessel delivered to Eidesvik Offshore in 2008. The vessel, at 130 meters long by 25 meters wide, was the largest vessel to feature a X-BOW.

A year later, the M/V Island Constructor, also a type SX121, was nominated for the SMM “Ship of the Year” award.

4. Oceanic Vega, Type SX120

Delivered in 2010 to a joint venture between Eidesvik Offshore and the geophysical company, CGGVeritas, the Oceanic Vega was the first of two type SX120 seismic research vessels ordered by the JV.  Along with an ice-classed X-BOW hull, the vessel features a towing force of 140 tons during seismic operations and is ideally suited to acquisition of large 3D, 4D or high-resolution projects, utilizing a current streamer configuration of up 16 streamers separated by 100 meters or more. The vessel´s 20 streamer winches are each capable of spooling 9 kilometers of streamers.

In 2010, the M/V Oceanic Vega was nominated for SMM’s “Ship of the Year” award.

5. Seven Viking, Type  SX148

The Seven Viking is a subsea inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) vessel co-owned by Eidesvik Offshore and Subsea 7. Right now the vessel is perhaps more speculation than all the others, as it was just launched on October 17th, but it is added to the list for good reason.

The compact vessel, measuring 106.5 meters long by 24.5 meters wide vessel, will carry out a multitude of diverse tasks for Statoil, including inspection, maintenance and repair of subsea oil installations, alongside scale treatment and RFO operations. The ship has a crew capacity of 90, a top speed of 16 knots, and has the capacity to carry a number essential subsea tools thanks to a clever hull configuration. The Seven Viking has been developed to meet the highest working environmental standards; meeting comfort class COMF-V (3) for low noise and vibration levels and carries the Clean Design notation. The vessel also features diesel electric propulsion and electrical winches.

If you’re impressed, then don’t forget to VOTE !

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X Bow Hull Design vs Conventional Hull Design

A bow is the forward most part of the ship’s hull which helps in reducing the resistance as the ship cuts through the waves. Bow designs have been modified several times in the past in order to improve ship’s efficiency and stability in sea water. The type of bow design used depends on the characteristics of the vessel, area of operation, and purpose of the ship.

X -bow is a unique bow design which was introduced by the Ulstein Group of Norway in 2006. Since then the design has received great positive reviews from around the world and is now used on several vessels.

So how is X-bow design different from a conventional hull design?

X Bow Hull Design vs Conventional Hull Design 

X-bow is a “backward sloping bow” or an inverted ship bow design which is used for increasing the fuel efficiency and safety of the vessel at sea. As the name suggests, the inverted bow design has its farthest point at the extreme point of the vessel (towards the waterline) which gives a continuous sharp bow shape to the hull. The sharp design at the extreme front helps the vessel to cut through the waves and improve overall stability, especially in heavy waves.

In a conventional bow design, the farthest point of the bow is at the extreme front (topmost part) of the vessel and it then tapers down, pushing the start of the bow backwards at the waterline. As the shape of the conventional bow is less sharp, a certain amount of energy is used to push the ship forward and this considerably slows down the speed of the vessel.

According to comparative tests done by Ulstein, the X bow design with its sharp hull does not generate a spray as it cuts through the waves. As the ship parts the waves efficiently, the wave energy transfer is less and the loss in vessel speed is negligible. Moreover, as the X bow cuts through the waves instead of pitching over them, there is considerable less amount of green water on the ship’s deck as compared to the ships with conventional hulls. This also implies that there is almost negligible bow flare and slamming resulting from the same in the front part of the ship.

The X bow hull design ships provides smoother movement of the ship with less slamming, which also makes living and working environment on the vessel better and reduces the chances of cargo shifting. According to a study, X bow design reduces the movement of the ship by almost 20% even in the roughest seas. A ship with an X bow design can thus easily sail through heavy waves with better speed and less movement. Opinions taken from seafarers who have worked with X Bow reflect much better living and operating conditions. Some of the officer even mentioned that unlike in ships with conventional bows, speed in X bow ships didn’t require to be reduced when facing rough sea weather.

X bow design was first introduced to acquire higher speed with reduced slamming and vibration problems during adverse weather conditions. However, according to the makers, the X-bow design offers several other advantages over the conventionally designed bow . Bourbon Orca was the first ship launched by Ulstein with an X bow design in 2006.

Though mainly used for offshore support and supply vessels, the X bow design has seen a considerable increase in demand across various types of vessels and are now designed even for container and naval ships.

Further Reading for X-Bow Hull Design

Ulstein Website

Bourbon Orca (pdf)

About Author

Raunek Kantharia is a marine engineer turned maritime writer and entrepreneur. After a brief stint at the sea, he founded Marine Insight in 2010. Apart from managing Marine Insight, he also writes for a number of maritime magazines and websites.

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These bows get a lot of press that always concentrate on the positives. One of the negatives of these bows on supply vessels with forward bridges is visibility. The forward conning positions are place too far aft and limit visibility to dangerous levels when entering restricted width ports, rivers, locks and berths. Too many times designers and engineers exclude the very people who have to operate these vessels, Captains and deck officers, from the design and consultation.

These bows are great but they have serious limitations operationally. Ships have to enter ports and berth safely.

Perhaps a portable gangway, or a retractable, telescoping platform, right forward, could be deployed on approaching a roadstead or harbor, and retracted or stowed for safe running at sea.

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Ulstein X-Bow 88.5M

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Ulstein X Bow

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ULSTEIN X BOW yacht NOT for charter*

88.5m  /  290'4 | ulstein verft | 2018.

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The 88.5m/290'4" expedition yacht 'Ulstein X Bow' was built by Ulstein Verft . This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Espen Oeino.

Range & Performance

Ulstein X Bow is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. Her low draft of makes her primed for accessing shallow areas and cruising close to the shorelines.

*Charter Ulstein X Bow Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Ulstein X Bow is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

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M/Y Ulstein X Bow

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Ulstein is a leader in ship innovation and has changed the world of ship design. With an iconic brand we have launched ships still unmatched. All this while continuously innovating systems and products through extensive research and development programs, always combining the latest technology with contemporary design.

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When investing in a newbuild project, we know that many uncertainties can slow down decision processes and cause delays. Through our experience, we help to reduce those uncertainties and ensure a smooth and successful project together.

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We offer excellence in ship design and site assistance. Being a reliable provider of high-quality vessels for more than 100 years, we develop explorer yachts and yacht support vessels together with our clients.

Reference - Olivia O

An ULSTEIN X-BOW® yacht built for an undisclosed owner by Ulstein Verft and delivered in 2018. The marine platform and hull line design have been developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions, the exterior design and general arrangement plan (GA) by the yacht designer Espen Øino.

Adventure: Explore other vessel types

Why choose an Ulstein yacht support vessel?

A yacht support vessel widens your opportunities for fun yachting. It carries all your toys and tenders without compromising the luxury and space of your mother yacht. Ulstein’s patented hull solution is offshore rough, developed from decades of real-life experience.

Moving towards zero emissions in yachting

Leisure travelling has changed. Now, stylish privacy and daring exploration go hand in hand. And we want to travel consciously. How can yachting become greener without penalising comfort and leisure?

The ultimate Ulstein yachting experience

Based on a passion for aesthetics and technology, an Ulstein yacht is characterised by her organic lines and immaculate quality, and a stunning look that places her in a league of her own.

Can ship design cure seasickness?

In October 2019, the first ULSTEIN X-BOW® polar expedition cruise vessel, 'Greg Mortimer', left Ushuaia for her inaugural voyage. She was heading for the dreaded Drake Passage to reach the northern part of Antarctica. Among those on board was a person who “gets seasick just by looking at water”, the diving instructor.

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