This world-first superyacht moves in silence

Lurssen’s Project Cosmos will be delivered in 2026 with striking good looks, but it’s what’s under her hood which makes her a game changer. Image | Tom van Oossanen

If there was one vessel which crystallised the yachting mood in 2025, it was Lürssen’s Project Cosmos. Having splashed in August at Lürssen’s Rendsburg yard, she has successfully completed sea trials and is now in the final outfitting stages for delivery to her owner early this year.

But it’s how she moves, rather than how she looks which is making her stand out. Cosmos uses green methanol fuel cells for propulsion, allowing for zero-emission cruising. If methanol fuel cells sounds familiar when it comes to yachting, it is because San Lorenzo’s 50Steel launched in 2024 to much fanfare over her use of methanol fuel cells.

However, the 50 metre 50Steel uses methanol fuel cells to power hotel loads for silent, zero-emission anchoring, creating a pleasant environment onboard for guests. Cosmos builds on this; with the much-larger 114 metre yacht using methanol for propulsion while underway, and at rest for zero emission cruising and anchoring.

It’s a crucial step towards making zero emission yachting a reality. Two, 500kW methanol fuel cells generate electricity without combustion, noise, or exhaust. At anchor, the yacht can operate in zero-emission mode for up to 15 consecutive days. Underway at seven knots, the fuel-cell system provides a silent-running range of 1,000 nautical miles. Not the quickest yacht on the water, but she does carry conventional diesel engines for full speed passages at 14 knots.

The exterior and interior are both by Australian industrial designer Marc Newson, best known for his work with Apple Watch. His signature is everywhere: a glass-domed owner's study offering 360-degree panoramic views (Lürssen developed a bespoke technique to bend large panels of thick glass without distortion), a continuous glazed band wrapping the cabin deck, and a forward observation lounge tucked beneath the helipad. The aft deck centres around a pool and Jacuzzi arrangement, with a dry-dock sled system to deploy Cosmos’ largest tender. Built to Ice Class 1D, she can operate across all five oceans.

The intention here is clear. Zero emission yachting is not only possible; it’s arrived, it’s viable and it’s being placed in some of the leading yachts of our time.

Lurssen’s Project Cosmos has turned green-powered superyachts from theory to reality. Image | Tom van Oossanen