The world's most eco-focused yachts

An early adopter of the International Maritime Organisation’s Tier III emissions regulations, Artefact features solar panels and a wastewater recycling system, as well as a large battery storage system, which means the yacht can at times operate completely independently of internal combustion engines. Although  Artefact is a sizeable yacht measuring 80 metres with a volume of 2,999 GT, the yacht is incredibly silent, extensively soundproofed and equipped with custom six-bladed propellers that minimum noise pollution and vibrations while at sea. Part of what contributes to the yacht's quiet cruising is its hybrid diesel-electric system that integrates lithium batteries and which the builder, ABB, says saves 30% of energy and emissions.

Royal Huisman's 43.5 metre ketch Juliet was relaunched last year following a hybrid conversion that lasted two years. The upgrade saw the Ron Holland-designed yacht fitted with hybrid propulsion and power generation systems, allowing its owners to sail in silent operation with zero emissions and reduced fuel consumption.

The 84 metre White Rabbit is the largest trimaran in the world, a fact that makes her efficiency all the more commendable. Compared to similar-sized steel monohull yachts, White Rabbit requires 40 per cent less power to hit top speeds of up to 18 knots with her hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system. The 2940GT all-aluminium tri-hull is also notably quiet through the waves; in the lower deck master cabin her builder Echo Yachts recorded sound levels of just 40db when the yacht was underway at 13 knots.

Spirit Yachts' 33.9 metre sailing yacht Geist manages to deliver a balance of beauty and eco-focused technology with mesmeric charm and elegance. The British yard's green-mindedness can be seen even in the way they sourced the wood for her construction. For the Douglas fir that makes up Geist's bow and stern, Spirit went to Canada, which it knew had robust regulations when it came to distributing wood. Additionally, the yacht glides through harbours with an electric propulsion system when not under sail.

The 109 metre Bravo Eugenia is highly efficient despite her impressive size. The Oceanco-built superyacht is powered by a hybrid propulsion engine that offers a quiet electric mode and which allows her to consume 30% less fuel than other motor yachts in her size class. She is also equipped with a waste heat recovery system and an integrated battery for optimal operation and performance.

The 49.5 metre explorer yacht Falco Moscata boasts a number of accolades for her design. Among others, this Perini Navi superyacht was honoured with a RINA Green Plus Award upon its launch in 2010. Designed by Vitruvius and naval architect Philippe Briand, the yacht features an all-aluminium hull with a uniquely styled bow that slices through the waves with ease and enhances fuel efficiency by up to 30%. 

Heesen superyacht Home pairs a state-of-the-art hybrid propulsion system with a proven Fast Displacement Hull Form by Van Oossanen Naval Architects to reduce its environmental footprint and improve efficiency. Designed as a home on the water by Omega Architects and Cristiano Gatto, the 50 metre Home is 48% more efficient than other yachts of its size. The yacht can cruise in four different modes depending on the situation; an “eco mode,” a “quiet mode” using electric motors and reducing sound pollution and a "diesel model" for cruising quicker passages. The final feature is the special “boost mode,” which combines diesel and electric for added power on the water.

Sailing yachts are generally the more eco-friendly option for minimising your impact at sea, but the 40 metre Rainbow has gone one step further and adopted advanced technology to reduce impact even further. Rainbow was launched in 2012 by Holland Jachtbouw and designed by Dykstra Naval Architects as a replica of the original America’s Cup-winning 1930 Rainbow built for Harold Vanderbilt. The J-class superyacht has been constructed for optimal sailing performance and is powered by a hybrid propulsion system that improves fuel efficiency and reduces sound pollution while under motor.

The 90 metre Lürssen-built superyacht, Ice, originally known as Air when it was launched in 2005, made waves for being one of the first superyachts on the water outfitted with electrically-powered Azipod propellers within her propulsion system. The diesel-electric generators supply power to two azimuth thrusters, which have the added benefit of giving a comfortable, vibration-free ride as well as seriously reducing emissions while underway. Thanks to the advanced technology of her engines, the Tim Heywood-designed, black-hulled Ice can reach a top speed of 18.5 knots and offers an explorer-class cruising range of 5,000 nautical miles when sailing at a speed of 15 knots.

Not only can this 39.3 metre superyacht run on 15 per cent biodiesel, but every aspect of Safira's interior also comes from reclaimed, recycled or remnant materials – all without sacrificing luxury. The Newcastle-built explorer, designed by Sparkman & Stephens, has been largely constructed using an eco-friendly product made in The Netherlands known as Esthec. Used as a replacement for interior woodwork and teak decking, it also helps provide sound insulation to the five cabins in her lower decks. 

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