As can be recognized in hundreds of news items, the investments in « technologies ecological « are increasing at a rate hectic. Of course, the alternatives to fuels traditions are part of this economic game, especially everything, the field of electric batteries and the hydrogen that will move in the near future to all kinds of vehicles, with their strengths and weaknesses.
According to data from the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Maritime transport represents emissions of around 1 billion tons of CO2 per year (About 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions greenhouse effect)
Let the boats be pleasure, the yachts or the maritime transport of merchandise, they have to adapt to a more ecological trend that allow a better environmental balance (See article on why boats should switch to renewables)
The Aqua project is a good example of how the advantages of alternative energy can be applied to the navegation. It is a “superyacht” of luxury , designed by the Dutch firm Sinot to enjoy the most as luxurious as possible, but with one big difference, it will be powered by hydrogen .
The Aqua yacht project is a commissioned Sinot company. It will be the first large luxury yacht with 112 meters long powered by hydrogen that has recently presented at the boat show in Monaco.
The numbers of the project are overwhelming in all senses. Not only because of its dimensions that will house space for 14 guests and 31 crew members and It will have five decks . The Dutch shipping company Feadship has a lot of work ahead of it when manufacturing a model futuristic, with lavish luxuries, state-of-the-art technological advances generation and of course, a price not suitable for mortals, According to various international media, it will reach the figure of 600 million dollars.
The Aqua will have two vacuum-sealed tanks of 28 tons that are cooled to -253º C and will be filled with hydrogen liquid to power the ship that will count with: Two electric motors of 1 MW each, and two thrusters 300 kW bow for tighter manoeuvres.
Feadship shipping company says the system offers a maximum speed of 17 knots (31.4 km/h) , a cruising speed of between ten and twelve knots and a range Approximately 3750 nautical miles (about 6,945 kilometers) plus enough to cross the Atlantic Ocean and travel from New York to the UK.
And as can be seen in the attached images, innovation and the design will not only be in the ship's machinery. The yacht has been designed to provide those on board with the closest possible proximity to water with an external appearance inspired by the waves of the sea and a helmet sculpted with large glass windows.
The aft deck features a series of platforms that cascade down into the sea with infinity pools, while a swimming area will allow all passengers enjoy the experience of accessing the water at sea level.
In the bow part the main room will be located with endless horizontal views through large windows that is completed with a spacious bathroom, dressing room and a private spa.
It will also have a heliport and inside design and decoration in the minimalist style, apart from all the the necessary comforts with a lot of luxury, a gym, a whirlpool room, a yoga studio, cinema and a large dining room with a capacity for fourteen people.
Although we are talking about the concept of a “green boat”, in true, it will have a backup diesel engine due to the shortage of hydrogen refueling stations that exist around of the world.
Whether or not this project is a marketing strategy to give visibility to the world of renewables, in the end, the investment underlines the interest in alternative fuels and the enthusiasm of luxury yachting for the new technologies that respect the environment.
By the way, there are ships that have a practical utility against climate change such as the article about the ship that extracts 50,000 kg of plastic from rivers a day, it's impressive!
