Looking for a motorboat that no longer spews clouds of diesel fumes? If you have some $6,450 million (€552 million) to spare, ‘presumed owner’ Bill Gates is putting the ‘Breaktrough’, his 118-meter-long superyacht, up for sale.
It’s brand-new and the world’s first ‘zero-emission’ one, utilizing green hydrogen. And apparently, Gates himself never stepped aboard, but also never confirmed owning it.
Powered by 16 Zephyr hydrogen fuel cells, totalling about 3.2 MW, and using cryogenic storage at -253°C, it is fully equipped to cruise emission-free, although only on short voyages. It can cruise emission‑free at low speeds or remain anchored for up to a week, producing only water vapor as exhaust.
The 16 hydrogen fuel-cell modules were delivered by Zepp.solutions, a Dutch hydrogen technology company based in Delft, the Netherlands.
Zepp already delivered several other hydrogen projects, including a zero-emission passenger water taxi in Rotterdam, a 67-meter ship used for maritime student training, and a fully zero-emission vessel using a modular hydrogen and battery-electric drivetrain.
For longer journeys, Breakthrough relies on a hybrid system. When hydrogen isn’t available, it switches to fuel cells running on methanol or biofuel-capable diesel‑electric generators, which—while significantly cleaner—still emit CO2, although up to 90% less than conventional diesel.
With those as backup, it has a top speed of 17 knots (~31.5 km/h) and has a range of 6,500 nautical miles. That’s 12,038 kilometers, or in nautical terms, it will bring you from New York to Gibraltar and back, or Los Angeles to Sidney, Australia, on one fuel tank.
Cryogenic storage at -253°C
The Breakthrough superyacht’s liquid hydrogen tank capacity is approximately 92 cubic meters, equivalent to roughly four metric tons. The tanks are cryogenic, storing hydrogen at approximately -253°C to maintain it in a liquid state. The tank system is integrated into the hull design to optimize space and safety. Breakthrough’s fuel storage is revolutionary for zero-emission tech at its scale.
The amount of alternative fuel on board isn’t publicly disclosed. Still, it will likely be in the low hundreds of liters to a few cubic meters of methanol and probably between 5,000 and 10,000 liters of biodiesel. That’s peanuts compared to some other superyachts, which tend to bunker in quantities of 100,000 liters or more of diesel or marine gas oil (MGO), with some huge yachts reaching up to 200,000 liters.
30 guests and 44 crew
It isn’t a tiny motor sloop after all. Built by Dutch superyacht specialist Feadship, starting five years ago as Project 821, it was launched in 2024 and delivered in May 2025. The yacht is 118 m long, 19 m wide, and has a draft of 5.05 m. Gross Tonnage is about 7,247 GT.
It’s intended to welcome approximately 30 guests and 44 crew members. Specific details are not openly published, but several media outlets report that the yacht features 14 balconies, seven unfolding sea-access platforms, an 8.2m contraflow infinity pool, an underwater lounge, and a ‘townhouse-style’ interior with a central atrium.
These are all designed by RWD/Redman Whiteley Dixon, superyacht interior designers based in Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK, on the southern coast of England.
Four-story private section
The most exclusive feature, reportedly designed to Bill Gates’ specifications, is a private section spanning over four decks, featuring two bedrooms, twin bathrooms, two offices with fireplaces, a gym, a pantry, and private elevators. But some outlets mention that Gates “never stepped aboard”.
However, Feadship maintains a strict no-comment policy regarding the ownership details of its superyachts. There’s no public confirmation from Bill Gates that he ever commissioned or owns the Breakthrough superyacht.
The Breakthrough is now put up for sale through Edmiston, a prestigious yacht brokerage firm. It is prominently featured at the Monaco Yacht Show 2025, where Breakthrough will be showcased to potential buyers from September 24 to 27, 2025, at Port Hercule in Monaco.
The asking price is listed as $645 million, Price on Application (POA), meaning potential buyers will need to contact the broker for specific details.
