The 118.8-metre Feadship build Breakthrough – also known as the world's first fuel-cell powered superyacht – has become the first superyacht to be supplied with liquid hydrogen in the Netherlands.
The milestone was achieved in the Port of Amsterdam, which played a "key role" in enabling the hydrogen bunkering by advising on safety matters and "drawing on its experience in other alternative fuels", such as liquefied methane and gaseous hydrogen. The process began with an initial delivery of liquid hydrogen via truck, following by multiple refuelling operations a few weeks later.
"We expect that several alternative marine fuels will co-exist in the future. [But] this requires flexibility and foresight from both us and the companies in the port area," said Milembe Mateyo, director of CNB and state harbour master of the North Sea Canal. "We are proud that the first bunkering with liquid hydrogen has now taken place in our port. It demonstrates that hydrogen is a viable solution for zero-emission sailing. This is an important step toward more sustainable shipping and our goal to facilitate the use of sustainable fuels as a Multi Fuel Port."
Breakthrough's revolutionary propulsion technology stores liquid hydrogen on board (in temperatures below -253°C) and uses a fuel cell source to generate electricity for both hotel load and coastal navigations. This 3.2mW fuel cell system produces electricity through a chemical process (rather than a combustive one), resulting in "emission-free" cruising – with water as its only by-product.
As well as the yacht’s green credentials, Breakthrough also marks the largest motor yacht ever launched in the Netherlands, eclipsing the 118-metre Launchpad with around "30 per cent more volume".
Envisioned as a "secluded, four-level townhouse by the sea", Breakthrough's leisure credentials span a semi-submerged Neptune lounge, cinema, library, hospital facility and 8.2-metre pool with contraflow. Accommodation is for a total of 30 people thanks to 12 cabins – although this can be configured to account for smaller parties – and includes intimate spaces like a coffee corner and games niche.
She joined the market with Edmiston shortly after her launch last year.
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