VARD
Valve co-founder Gabe Newell is spending around $815 million on one of the most ambitious ocean exploration projects ever built.
Back in May 2026, Norwegian shipbuilder VARD revealed it had secured a contract from Gabe Newell’s marine research organization (Inkfish) to build the RV11000.
The massive new ship will support scientific expeditions to some of the deepest and least-explored parts of Earth’s oceans and could help researchers make exciting new discoveries.
Gabe Newell’s new vessel costs $815 million
According to the press release, the RV11000 will measure 162 meters (531 feet) long and 28 meters (92 feet) wide. This makes it a significant step up from Gabe’s first RV6000, which set him back $300 million and is set to launch in 2028.
The vessel will support seafloor mapping, sample collection, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and submarine missions at depths of up to 11,000 meters (36,089 feet), allowing researchers to explore the deepest parts of the ocean.
To support those missions, the ship will feature a launch system for submarines, dedicated hangars for two crewed submersibles, a 40-meter system for collecting seabed samples, and specialized lifting equipment capable of operating at depths of up to 15,000 meters.
One of the vessel’s standout features is what VARD describes as the largest battery installation ever fitted to a ship. The system will allow the RV11000 to operate silently for up to 12 hours, reducing noise that could interfere with scientific observations and marine life.
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The ship has also been designed with four active stabilizers to improve performance in rough seas, along with laboratories, workshops, offices, and accommodation for up to 130 scientists and crew, most of whom will have private cabins.
“This next-generation vessel builds on earlier designs to deliver significantly greater capability, flexibility, and reach to enable science,” said Stu Buckle, Inkfish’s lead for new builds and special projects.
“RV11000 will be a custom-built platform that pushes the boundaries on what is possible for marine research, strengthening our ability to support scientists and unlock new understanding of the ocean.”
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Gabe Newell buys $71 million mansion with its own tunnel to the beach
Delivery is currently scheduled for the first quarter of 2030, meaning Gabe Newell’s real-life “Dave the Diver” era is still a few years away.
Until then, the Valve boss has a $71 million mansion in Florida to live at, which comes complete with its own tunnel to the beach.
