In a first for the nautical world, Port Vauban in Antibes, on the French Riviera, has made history by becoming the first yachting port to offer liquid hydrogen (LH2) to superyachts that need to refuel.
The historic development has come about thanks to the arrival of a ground-breaking and unique super yacht in the port – Breakthrough. Reportedly commissioned by Bill Gates (represented by Edmiston), the 118-metre vessel is the world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht.
The supply of this clean-energy in Antibes came about following years of collaboration between international LH2 specialists, the ship’s teams, Port Vauban and the local council.
Port Vauban said in its latest newsletter that preparation work began in 2023 to expand the berth in the outer harbour of the International Yacht Club quay of Antibes, to house the innovative technology.
SAS Vauban 21 pointed out that “since this refuelling is carried out by truck over a period of only a few hours, no fixed installation or liquid hydrogen storage is required.”
The only requirements are a large enough concrete surface and having the ability to connect the refuelling truck to land, according to the newsletter.
The refuelling is being strictly monitored and has to adhere to stringent protocol to ensure safety guidelines are met.
Breakthrough superyacht for sale
Breakthrough – which is currently for sale via Edmiston superyacht brokers – was designed by RWD and built by Feadship (in Amsterdam). Chief Executive Jamie Edmiston calls it “the most extraordinary yacht ever built. The one that will change it all.”
Edmiston claims that when Breakthrough was launched in May, following a five-year build, the yachting world was forever changed as it so boldly embraces green technology.
How do hydrogen fuel cells work?
According to Edmiston, hydrogen fuel cells have pure water as their only exhaust, thus providing a combustion-free way to generate electricity (used by some cars and human spaceflights, but never before in the maritime sector).
“When hydrogen is processed in a fuel cell, the only by-products are electricity and water in the form of steam,” says Edmiston.
With the system pioneered for Breakthrough, it’s hoped others will be able to apply it. (Already two Norwegian passenger and car ferries will use a similar system next year.)
One of the biggest challenges is storing compressed liquid hydrogen below deck at -253°C aboard a luxury yacht. While hydrogen is light, safely storing it requires a double-walled cryogenic storage tank. This added four metres to Breakthrough’s original length. (The fuel cells can also easily store methanol which steam reforms into hydrogen, before the electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell, says Edmiston.)
Although Breakthrough couldn’t carry enough liquid hyrdrogen to power a crossing, its presence still greatly impacts the yacht’s carbon footprint where it is largest – generating electricity to serve the hotel load (the power required for heating and air-conditioning). According to the Yacht Environmental Transparency Index (YETI), 70-78 per cent of a yacht’s total energy use per year is to supply its hotel load, with heating and air conditioning making the largest demands.
Supplying that electrical power via non-polluting hydrogen fuel cells has a swift and significant impact.
For longer travels or when pure hydrogen is not available, the electricity powering the 3,200 kW ABB pod drives comes from MTU generators combusting HVO, a second-generation biofuel that reduces harmful emissions by 90 per cent.
Key Features of Breakthrough
- World’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht
- The owner’s apartment stretches over multiple decks offering complete privacy, with two bedrooms, twin bathrooms and dressing rooms, a gym, pantry, two offices and a living room.
- Up to 30 guests in 15 cabins
- Fully certified 7T helideck (of course!)
- World leading pool deck, beach club, and wellness facilities
- Largest motor yacht ever launched in The Netherlands
- The balconies are unnoticeable when closed but slide out at the touch of a button, carrying with them their side railings or walls.
Price is available upon application.
Feadship’s CEO Jan-Bart Verkuyl says fuel cells will play an important role for yachts in the years to come considering their superior efficiency, low particle emissions and low noise radiation. “We have now shown that cryogenic storage of liquified hydrogen in the interior of a superyacht is a viable solution. Future innovations on fuel cells and onboard reforming of methanol to hydrogen are on the near horizon.”
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the superyachting world. At this year’s Monaco Yacht Show (MYS), in September, the Blue Wake™ programme (an iniative of the MYS) will be presenting a variety of practical and environmentally sustainable innovations in the yachting industry – from hybrid, electric or renewable energy propulsion systems to sustainable materials and eco-friendly mobility.
Jean-Pierre Savarino, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Vauban 21 group, said: “It is a source of great pride for our port to be at the forefront of such an important change” and to be “spearheading projects contributing to the energy transition and reducing the environmental impact of port activity.”
