Lürssen sells first superyacht powered by fuel cell technology

German superyacht yard Lürssen has announced the sale of a superyacht powered by fuel cell technology.

Lürssen managing partner Peter Lürssen announced the sale on the Lürssen Live talk show during a conversation about alternative propulsion technologies.

He revealed the owner had recently given permission for the project to be discussed.

“Contrary to our normal behaviour we can tell you today that we are actually building a superyacht with a fuel cell installed on the yacht,” Lürssen said. “It is very exciting and he (the owner) gave us permission a week ago to talk about it. This I think will push the eco-friendliness of yachts to a new dimension in the near future.”

Lürssen revealed the owner who “loves technology and new developments” asked the yard to prove the “practical value” of fuel cell technology before signing up for the project.

“The main question was can you get me one with practical value,” Lürssen explained. “He was not interested in installing a fuel cell for the sake of saying he had a fuel cell.”

The practical value of the technology will allow the owner to spend more than 15 nights at anchor or cruise more than 1,000 nautical miles, both completely emissions-free.

Lürssen said the news showed clear confidence in the technology and would help further alternative propulsion technology within the superyacht industry.

“I think it’s a clear signal that owners who already invest substantial amounts in building yachts are willing to invest that extra bit of money to go and dare say make that quantum leap of furthering propulsion technology and power technology on a yacht and this will be a game-changer especially since it has a lot of practical use,” he said.

Delivery is scheduled for 2025.

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Source: Boat International