The world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht, long rumored to have been commissioned by billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates, is now officially on sale.
Dubbed Project 821, the 390-foot (119-meter) superyacht is designed to run on “green” hydrogen, although to store it in liquid form, the gas must be cryogenically stored at -423.4 degrees Fahrenheit in a carefully designed double-walled interior. . tanks.
Dutch shipbuilder Feadship said the launch of the approximately $646 million vessel on May 4 at its Amsterdam shipyard makes the world of shipping “change forever.”
This seemingly eco-friendly superyacht has taken over five years to build from design to completion, and no custom additions have yet been made for the end buyer.
While a series of news reports in 2020 leaked that the billionaire had commissioned Feadship and design firm Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design to build this eco-friendly, hydrogen-powered yacht, details verifying the deal with Gates remained elusive. reach.
As one yacht industry trade publication self-consciously put it at the time: “Although Sinot has denied that Gates is building the concept, Gates is understood to be in talks to build a new superyacht with an unknown shipyard.”
The world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht (pictured), long rumored to have been commissioned by billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates, is now officially on sale.
Dubbed ‘Project 821’, the 390-foot (119-metre) long superyacht (above) is designed to run on ‘green’ hydrogen gas; although to store it in liquid form, this gas must be stored cryogenically at an incredible -423.4 degrees Fahrenheit in carefully designed double-walled tanks
That commercial publication, BOAT Internationalpublished a statement from Sinot denying any official agreement with Gates for the luxury ship project.
Responding to reports in the Guardian and the Sunday Telegraph, Sinot said: “Several articles have appeared in the international media claiming that Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design sold its Aqua concept to Mr Bill Gates.”
“These articles are factually incorrect.”
Although there were some denials, the trade press stated in 2020 that “Gates is understood to be in talks to build a new superyacht.”
Feadship, however, only declined to comment entirely, saying Megayacht News that “does not comment on its order book.”
And this month, news broke on the financial news site Benzinga that Gates intended to sell his ownership of an unknown superyacht, as well as his $25 million yacht, the Wayfinder: a 224-foot catamaran-style boat built by the famous shipbuilder Astilleros Armon.
The Wayfinder, according to BenzingaIt was “designed as a shadow ship, normally accompanying a larger mother ship, which until recently had not been revealed.”
The site, which covers stock market trading and other business news, indicated that this mothership was, in fact, Feadship’s new hydrogen superyacht, Project 821.
Unlike traditional yachts that rely on diesel engines or other fossil fuel-based means of propulsion, hydrogen fuel cell yachts use hydrogen as the primary fuel source.
Unlike traditional yachts that rely on diesel engines or other fossil fuel-based means of propulsion, hydrogen fuel cell yachts use hydrogen as the primary fuel source. Above an ‘aft’ or rear view of the new superyacht
Hydrogen gas (H2) reacts with oxygen gas (O2) in the fuel cell, producing nothing but pure electricity and pure water: H2O. Above, the new superyacht leaving the company’s dry dock. Above, a ‘foredeck’ or front view of the new superyacht
Hydrogen gas (H2) reacts with oxygen gas (O2) in the fuel cell, producing nothing but pure electricity and pure water: H2O.
“The goal has been to develop new, clean technology not only for this project, but for the world,” said Jan-Bart Verkuyl, director and CEO of Feadship.
The company added that the size of the yacht made it a good candidate to explore the feasibility of a fuel cell system powered by pure green hydrogen.
The ship’s liquid hydrogen fuel requires approximately 8 to 10 times more storage space than traditional diesel fuel to obtain an equivalent amount of energy. Main craft saying.
All that fuel tank space, along with the 16 fuel cell power converters, plus the necessary switchboard connection to the DC power grid and a set of water vapor emissions vent stacks, added 13 feet to the boat’s original specifications.
“For those captivated by cutting-edge innovations,” Feadship said in a statement, “this yacht presents an opportunity for potential acquisition as it showcases the pinnacle of modern technological advancements.”
The company presented the expensive luxury ship as an investment in the future of sustainable technology, as a glamorous R&D project.
This month, news broke on the financial site Benzinga that Gates intended to sell his ownership of an unknown superyacht, as well as his $25 million yacht, the Wayfinder, a 224-foot catamaran-style boat “designed as a shadow ship, which usually accompanies a larger ship.” mothership’
The ship features five decks above the waterline and two below sea level, 14 balconies, seven deployable platforms, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a steam room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a home gym, pantry and two offices each with a fireplace. The ship also has space for its own library.
“There is a need to invest in the technology needed to move away from fossil fuels,” Feadship said, “and hydrogen is one of the most efficient and clean options.”
But eco-friendly amenities aside, Project 821 also caters to its elite market of wealthy sailors with a variety of ‘superyacht’ prerequisites.
The ship has five decks above the waterline and two below sea level.
It has 14 balconies, seven fold-out platforms, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a steam room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a home gym, a pantry and two offices, each with a fireplace.
The boat also has space for its owner to store an entire library.
According to Feadship, the ship’s energy and food reserves allow for “an entire week of silent operation at anchor or [briefly] Sail without emissions at 10 knots when leaving ports or sailing in protected marine areas.
“It creates, in essence, a four-level secluded seaside home,” the company boasted in its press release, “within a much larger yacht.”
British RWD Studio, rather than Sinot, was reportedly responsible for designing the interior and exterior decoration of the Project 821 ship, using marble, rattan, taupe eucalyptus and whitewashed oak to create, in Feadship’s words, ” a luxurious coastal atmosphere.
When pressed for comment this year, a spokesperson for Feadship reiterated that it would not reveal who had originally commissioned the eco-friendly superyacht, nor who would ultimately purchase the vessel.
“Feadship does not share any information about owners and prices,” the company said, “whether it is a 19-meter yacht from the 1960s or a 119-meter yacht from the 21st century.”
