A futuristic, 390-foot superyacht powered entirely by liquid hydrogen is set to turn heads at the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show, where it will be listed for a staggering $645 million. The vessel, named Breakthrough, also known as Project 821, has long been rumored to be commissioned by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, though he has never publicly confirmed any involvement or even stepped aboard the yacht, according to Luxury Launches.
Constructed by Dutch shipbuilding titan Feadship and designed by British firm RWD, the cutting-edge yacht took five years to build. Once unveiled in Monaco, Breakthrough will be the largest vessel on display at the prestigious exhibition. Yacht brokerage Edmiston is handling the listing.
“This is the one that will change it all,” said Edmiston CEO Jamie Edmiston in a press release. “The brief was to build the greenest and most environmentally advanced yacht ever built, without compromise. It was a huge challenge, but one that the team has embraced and delivered on.”
What truly sets Breakthrough apart is its revolutionary propulsion system. The yacht runs on a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell platform, with compressed liquid hydrogen stored in cryogenic tanks at -253°C. The system produces electricity with zero emissions, while excess heat is cleverly repurposed to warm pools, saunas, towel bars, and heated floors in guest cabins.
For situations where hydrogen is unavailable, the yacht can switch to a biofuel-powered backup system, reducing emissions by up to 90%. “Fuel cells will play an important role for yachts in the years to come,” said Jan-Bart Verkuyl, director at Feadship, citing their “superior efficiency, low particle emissions, and low noise radiation.”
Inside, Breakthrough offers luxury befitting its price tag. Designed to evoke a coastal resort, the yacht’s interiors feature rich textures like leather, marble, limed oak, and rattan. Amenities include a full-size basketball court, a private cinema, multiple hot tubs, and even an onboard hospital.
The owner’s suite is essentially a four-story private townhouse, boasting two bedrooms, twin bathrooms, two offices with fireplaces, a gym, a pantry, and a spacious living room. Discreet balconies can be deployed at the press of a button, seamlessly aligning with interior floors.
Pic: Edmiston
“At each deck level, there are inviting private lifestyle destinations to savor,” notes Edmiston’s listing, such as a coffee nook, game lounge, main-deck library, and a sea-facing dining room. The vessel can host up to 30 guests and 43 crew members, with the owner’s deck towering 121 feet above the waterline.
While Gates has remained silent on the speculation, insiders claim the yacht was custom-built to his specifications. Canadian billionaire Patrick Dovigi, CEO of Green For Life Environmental, is reportedly positioned to acquire the vessel.
