Breakthrough: What to know about the world’s first hydrogen superyacht headlining Monaco Yacht Show 2025

Whispers have followed her for years – and now Breakthrough is finally surfacing. Feadship’s once-secretive 118.8-metre Project 821 has been confirmed as the largest yacht attending the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show (so far), and arguably its most anticipated. Cloaked in speculation throughout her build, the 119-metre flagship is not only listed for sale, but is also rewriting what’s technically possible in modern yacht building.

Powered by liquid hydrogen and a next-generation fuel cell system, Breakthrough is the first superyacht of her kind – a radical engineering statement wrapped in serene, residential design. Ahead of her world debut, BOAT unpacks what sets this flagship apart from every other yacht at the show...

1. The first superyacht to use liquid hydrogen fuel cells

“What kind of green technology can you include?” That was the owner’s original brief – and Breakthrough is Feadship’s bold, five-year-long answer. At the core of the yacht is a 3.2mW fuel cell system running on cryogenic liquid hydrogen stored at -253°C. This system generates electricity for hotel load and coastal cruising – emission-free, with water as the only byproduct. In June 2025, Breakthrough became the first superyacht to be supplied with liquid hydrogen in the Netherlands, and it required entirely new regulations and infrastructure to make it possible.

A hybrid setup allows Breakthrough to switch between hydrogen fuel cells and conventional diesel-electric power as needed. While her hydrogen system isn’t capable of powering transoceanic passages (yet), Breakthrough dramatically reduces emissions during the "hotel load" phase, which accounts for 70-78 per cent of annual energy use, according to the Yacht Environmental Transparency Index (YETI). 

2. A voluminous sculptural presence with over 20 balconies and openings

While she matches the other groundbreaking Feadship project Launchpad in length, Breakthrough is said to surpass her in volume by roughly 30 per cent – a staggering figure for yachts of this scale. Yet despite her footprint, British studio RWD and the Dutch shipyard have managed to sculpt her interiors into something sleek and elegant, thanks in part to a daring number of hull apertures: fourteen balconies and seven unfolding platforms. This is the most Feadship has ever incorporated into a build – a fusion of mass and grace. 

3. The world's second-largest yacht for sale

Listed for sale with Edmiston with a price on application (POA), Breakthrough hit the market shortly after her launch. For serious buyers interested in next-generation marine tech, this is one of the only vessels to combine proven hydrogen capability with full superyacht comfort and scale. Edmiston's chief executive, Jamie Edmiston, described Breakthrough as “the most extraordinary yacht ever built. The one that will change it all”.

Breakthrough is being displayed with Feadship and Edmiston.

4. The largest motor yacht ever launched in the Netherlands

According to BOATPro, the only Dutch-built yacht that narrowly surpasses her in size is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' sailing yacht – the 125.8-metre sailing yacht Koru, which hit the water at Oceanco’s Alblasserdam facilities in 2022. She is also Feadship's flagship yacht.

5. Breaking new ground in cryogenic storage at sea

Carrying liquid hydrogen at -253°C is no small task. Feadship developed a 92-square-metre cryogenic storage room, with double-walled tanks and integrated venting stacks. This storage system alone added four metres to the yacht's original design. Hydrogen requires 8-10 times more volume than diesel for the same energy yield – one of the biggest hurdles overcome during the five-year build.

6. Designed as a private “townhouse by the sea”

RWD envisioned Breakthrough not as a floating palace, but as a refined, four-level retreat. At its heart is a sculptural staircase spiralling around a central lift, framed by floor-to-ceiling glass and clear balustrades that invite light and sea views inside. Materials like rattan, taupe eucalyptus and textured leather create a warm, coastal atmosphere – a deliberate contrast to the high-tech systems below deck.

7. Amenities with depth (literally)

Despite her technical focus, Breakthrough doesn’t compromise on comfort. Leisure spaces include a semi-submerged Neptune lounge, an 8.2-metre contraflow pool, cinema, library and onboard hospital. Her 12-cabin layout can host up to 30 guests, while quieter corners – a coffee nook, games niche, even a basketball court on the bow – show a yacht designed for everyday living, not just show.