The first superyacht with hydrogen fuel cells has arrived, and her name is Project 821. Innovative Feadship, a product of five years of hard work. One of the most basic questions that Project 821 seeks to address is, "How far can we push green technology on superyachts?"

Feadship's daring response, designed by RWD and with owners represented by Edmiston, was a multifaceted, zero-diesel strategy intended to cruise between harbours or anchorages and run the yacht's hotel load and amenities on emission-free green hydrogen power. "The aim has been to develop new, clean technology not just for this project but for the world," said Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship Director and CEO of Royal Van Lent Shipyard. The planned yacht's length of over 100 metres made it an ideal choice to investigate using environmentally friendly hydrogen as a fuel source for its fuel cells. For individuals enchanted by state-of-the-art inventions, this boat offers a chance to own the epitome of contemporary technical brilliance.

In keeping with its commitment to create "net zero" yachts by 2030, Feadship's research and development team has been investigating hydrogen as well as other fossil-free fuel alternatives. An alternative to traditional power generation methods, hydrogen fuel cells produce solely water vapour as byproducts. Despite fuel cells having been the principal electrical power source for human spaceflight for over sixty years and hydrogen fuel cell-powered automobiles being available, none of these were available for use in the marine industry. At the class, flag-state, or even IMO level, there were no rules regarding fuel-cell installations or hydrogen storage. Developing adequately sized equipment, methods, and safety requirements concurrently, Feadship, Edmiston, and Lloyd’s Register sought professional partners from related businesses.

"The value of the research as well as the development of class and flag safety regulations for an entirely new type of energy generation is an advancement we are proud to have made available to all," Verkuyl said. For instance, beginning in the next year, two long-route Norwegian passenger and automobile ferries will begin operating using the technology that was developed in collaboration with PowerCell Group for Project 821.

One of the main challenges would be to come up with a practical method for keeping compressed liquid hydrogen below deck on a luxurious boat at -253°C. To move away from fossil fuels, though, you must invest in the essential technologies, among which hydrogen is one of the most effective and environmentally friendly. The only byproducts produced during the processing of hydrogen in a fuel cell are steam and electricity.

Compared to non-fossil diesel equivalent fuel (HVO or e-diesel), which weighs about 800 kg per cubic metre, hydrogen is light, weighing about 70 kilogrammes per cubic metre of liquid hydrogen. But to store it in a vessel properly, you'll need a double-walled cryogenic storage tank, which is a big, well-insulated chilling box kept in a special chamber. When combined, eight to ten times as much room is needed for hydrogen storage as there is for diesel fuel's energy equivalent.

The sixteen compact fuel cells, the vent stacks for the outgoing water vapour, the cryogenic fuel tank on Project 821, and the yacht's capacity to hold 92 m2 (roughly 4 tonnes) of hydrogen all increased the yacht's original specification by four metres. Crucially, methanol, which is a liquid fuel in ambient circumstances and simpler to store, may also be used with the fuel cells created for Project 821. Prior to the fuel cell's electrochemical process, steam transforms methanol into hydrogen.

Feadship has the potential to reduce a yacht's carbon footprint in its most significant area, which is the generation of electricity to support hotel operations, even if a vessel as big as Project 821 cannot carry enough liquid hydrogen to power a passage. The Yacht Environmental Transparency Index (YETI) estimates that a yacht's hotel load accounts for 70–78% of its annual energy consumption, with air conditioning and heating being the biggest users. When non-polluting hydrogen fuel cells provide that electrical power, it has a quick and significant impact. When pure hydrogen is unavailable or for longer trips, MTU generators burn HVO, a second-generation biofuel that decreases harmful emissions by 90%, to provide energy for the 3,200 kW ABB pod drives. Using HVO to run the yacht's generators was demonstrated to be valid on the 2023 Feadship, Obsidian.

Large battery banks are becoming a common means of supplying enough power to cruise sensitive no-discharge marine preserve zones or operate generator-free for silent nights at anchor. However, Project 821 only has a 543 kW hour energy storage capacity; in contrast, Feadship's first diesel-electric hybrid, the 83.50-metre Savannah, launched in 2015, has a megawatt of electrical energy stored. Project 821 doesn't have to; her fuel cell technology can operate silently at anchor for a whole week or let her leave harbours or cruise in protected maritime areas while travelling at 10 knots without emitting any emissions.

The most effective waste heat recovery system yet created is another element of Project 821. It heats everything from the air temperature and towel bars in the guest restrooms to the pool, Jacuzzi, and steam room. An energy management system that automatically lowers the temperature in empty guest spaces will be connected to sensors by a Smart AC system, which will result in further savings for the hotel load.

However, Project 821 is more than just a flagship—she's the biggest motor yacht ever launched in the Netherlands, narrowly surpassing the recently arrived 118.00-metre LAUNCHPAD. Project 821 has a 30 percent larger capacity than the other boat, even though their lengths of stay are almost the same. The owners' deck, for example, is 37 metres above the sea. Despite her towering height—five decks above and two below—and her sleek, unattached mast, RWD's appearance is contemporary and fluid. She also boasts the greatest number of hull openings of any Feadship to date, with five enormous shell doors, seven wide opening platforms, and fourteen balconies that slide out from the 'tweendeck space, all of which combine to offer an amazing connection to the sea. When closed, the balconies blend perfectly with the surroundings, but they may be easily opened by pressing a button, revealing their side railings and walls. Their floors rise to meet the inner room precisely when they are fully deployed.

The purpose of Project 821 is to serve families. With two bedrooms, twin bathrooms and dressing rooms, a gym, a pantry, two offices with fireplaces, a living room, and a gym, the entire owners' deck above the bridge is virtually an apartment. AFT and FWD have sheltered sections, and the entire walkaround deck has lovely spots for dining and unwinding in the FWD jacuzzi.

Large interior hallways and elegant sidedecks outside allow visitors to effortlessly stroll side by side thanks to the substantial 19-metre beam.

The owner's quarters, however, are not limited to one deck. On the lower deck is a unique, totally private vertical passageway. This contains an owners' lift as well as a large staircase adorned with display niches and bookcases. There are enticing private living spots to enjoy at every deck level, such as a library on the main deck, a private dining room with a sea patio and an adjoining ensuite cabin on the lower deck, and a coffee and games nook on the bridge deck. This effectively creates a private, four-story townhouse by the water inside the much bigger vessel.

The British RWD Studio created the façade, GA, and interior design of Project 821. To create an opulent beach feel, the designers selected a palette of light neutral tones in textured leathers and textiles, marble, rattan, fumed and taupe eucalyptus, and limed oak. Details like hallway railings and door trim elements replicate their designs from deck to deck, although the materials vary, for overall coherence.

Project 821 is being offered for sale by Edmiston.