These 3 Luxury Yachts Take on the Seas With Eco-Conscious Engines

In yachting, as elsewhere, “sustainability” has become a go-to buzzword, typically more bluster than breakthrough. Alternative methods of propulsion—hydrogen fuel cells and green methanol for superyachts, say, or diesel-electric power for vessels under 100 feet—have been discussed for years yet are often dismissed by builders as too complex and expensive.

But now a band of pioneering yards and owners are designing never-before- seen eco-friendlier systems with the technical bona fides to be legitimate game changers. They not only reduce emissions but also offer other tangible benefits over the status quo, from silent anchoring to smoother maneuvering. Here, three yachts charting a course for the future, today.

Sanlorenzo 50 Steel | 164 feet

Sanlorenzo’s executive chairman, Massimo Perotti, has been so resolute about sustainability that he built the world’s first methanol-powered prototype for himself, as proof of concept. His 50 Steel Almax, a four-year project with Siemens Energy that features a stylish split-level layout and retro-chic interior from Lissoni & Partners, converts green methanol into hydrogen using a device called a Reformer. The resulting hydrogen then feeds the fuel cells, producing enough electricity to power 90 percent of the yacht’s hotel load. The engine-and-generator room occupies about 775 square feet under the aft beach club, while the 118-square-foot fuel-cell cluster is located toward the bow. Perotti sees his boat as a starting point. “Considering the pace of innovation,” he says, “it’s likely that within 10 years, we’ll see the arrival of a 100 percent methanol-powered propulsion system.”

Feadship Project 821 | 390 feet

The largest yacht ever launched in the Netherlands, Feadship Project 821 presents a host of amenities that surpass what’s offered on many other custom gigayachts, including an underwater lounge, a four-story atrium, 14 balconies, a library, a medical center, and a multilevel owner’s deck, all packaged in a strikingly contemporary design. But the true paradigm shift is found in the magnitude and complexity of its new propulsion system. Double-walled cryogenic storage tanks, which maintain 4.4 tons of compressed liquid hydrogen at minus 423.4 degrees Fahrenheit, feed 16 fuel cells and electric motors to power all onboard hotel needs. Meanwhile, the exhaust-recovery system heats the vast interior down to the bathroom floors. The vessel is also able to travel at a speed of 10 knots in zero-emissions mode or remain silently operational—without a diesel generator—while at anchor for a week. Of the five-year build, Jan-Bart Verkuyl, CEO of Feadship’s Van Lent yard, says, “Our aim was a new, clean technology—not just for this project, but for the world.”

Azimut Seadeck 7 | 72 feet

The new Azimut Seadeck 7 showcases Volvo Penta’s latest hybrid system, pairing two IPS 1350 diesels with dual Danfoss 160 kW electric motors and battery banks. The combination of hull shape and hybridization is claimed to deliver a 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions, but, unlike other one-off hybrids, the real breakthrough is the full-system warranty. “IPS [inboard performance system] features such as joystick docking and GPS positioning can now be used in both electric and diesel modes,” says Johan Inden, president of Volvo Penta Marine.

The Seadeck 7 can cruise in electric mode at 11 knots or offer silent anchoring for up to 12 hours. Environmental consciousness was integral to more than just propulsion, as evidenced by the interior carpets made from recycled plastic and the exterior’s cork floors. But according to Giovanna Vitelli, chair of the Azimut-Benetti Group, the boat “is not only about sustainable materials but also a contemporary, minimalist design that will look good in 10 years.”