A Silent Maiden Voyage into Antibes
Bill Gates’s groundbreaking superyacht, Breakthrough, recently made a rare public appearance in Antibes following a three-day silent cruise from Gibraltar, according to MarineTraffic and photographs by Léandre Loyseau for Yachts.mp4. At 118.8 meters (390 feet), the vessel is Feadship’s second-largest build and holds the distinction of being the world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell powered superyacht, emitting only water when powered by hydrogen. The yacht’s sleek lines and sheer scale are emphasized in imagery showing crew members dwarfed by the multi-level aft deck—an emphatic statement of both luxury and avant-garde maritime design.
Built over a five-year period and launched in May 2024 under Feadship project name 821, Breakthrough signals a pioneering shift in sustainable yachting. During a refueling stop in Amsterdam, the yacht took on cryogenic liquid hydrogen at −423.4 °F, facilitated by new infrastructure designed for clean-energy bunkering—and securing its place as a cornerstone in eco-conscious maritime innovation.
Its propulsion system combines a 3.2-megawatt hydrogen fuel-cell array—feeding ABB electric pod drives—with a backup of MTU generators running on biofuel, enabling silent cruising at anchor or low speeds, while ensuring long-range versatility. This hybrid system offers a maximum range of 6,500 nm at typical cruising speeds and a top speed of 17 knots, showcasing that sustainability and performance can coexist on an impressive scale.
Engineering the Future: Design Meets Function
Underpinning Breakthrough’s zero-emission promise is a cryogenic hydrogen storage system with a 4-ton capacity housed in double-walled tanks—a bold technical feat solved within the superyacht’s steel-and-aluminum structure. The installation of 16 hydrogen fuel cells, switchboards, vapor exhaust systems, and specialized tanks necessitated expanding the vessel’s design parameters, resulting in a yacht 30% larger in volume than previous Feadship models. This engineering complexity highlights Feadship and designer RWD’s ability to maintain both form and function—marrying refined aesthetics with breakthrough technology.
Accommodations aboard the yacht match its exterior ambition: expansive owner and guest suites are laid out like a four-level townhouse at sea, complete with gym, spa, dual offices, and a cleverly integrated elevator and spiral staircase that curves between snug library spaces. Outdoors, Breakthrough offers 14 balconies, seven fold-out terraces, and an 8.2 m infinity pool—an immersive design concept that bridges vessel and sea. The semi-submerged Nemo lounge creates a moment of quiet communion with the water, reflecting a considered balance between luxury lifestyle and serene connection to the ocean.
Despite its eco-innovation, the yacht retains flexibility with a hybrid diesel-electric system powered by MTU generators capable of running on renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil or methanol—a practical solution for uninterrupted long-hauls or ocean crossings. This layered propulsion ensures Breakthrough is as seaworthy as it is conscientious, marrying the quiet grace of hydrogen power with the reliability and range needed for global voyages.
From Showcase to Sale: A Yacht of Many Firsts
Remarkably, Bill Gates is said never to have set foot aboard Breakthrough, as reported by multiple media outlets—turning the project into a demonstration of sustainable innovation rather than personal luxury. Now valued at approximately $645 million, the yacht is being offered for sale, with Canadian billionaire Patrick Dovigi—founder of Green For Life Environmental and former NHL player—emerging as its most likely buyer.
Dovigi’s interest aligns with his evolving collection, following his acquisition of the 377-foot superyacht AHPO in 2023. Industry experts see Breakthrough as an upgrade that fits his ethos and signals a shift toward sustainable luxury among the world’s elite. The pending sale confirms that the yacht was, first and foremost, a platform for pioneering hydrogen technology—and now a benchmark for future green builds—rather than a traditional pleasure vessel.
As Breakthrough continues to linger off the French Riviera, its significance transcends yacht ownership. With its public debut in Antibes, first-of-its-kind propulsion, and sale to another green-minded magnate, it has become a statement of intent—a floating symbol that luxury and environmental responsibility need not be at odds, but can sail forward together.