Lürssen’s 114.2-meter superyacht Project Cosmos was recently spotted being transferred from the company’s shipyard in Rendsburg, Germany to a neighboring facility to begin outfitting. Previously known as Project 13759, the explorer-style vessel was first seen earlier this year when the bare hull was launched in the month of March. Commissioned for an unnamed Japanese owner, the luxury vessel is one of the first yachts in the world to be fitted with fuel cell technology. Project Cosmos is a great demonstration of Lürssen’s commitment to emissions-free yachting. With a reputation for constantly pushing the boundaries of maritime engineering and innovation, Lürssen began working on fuel cell technology for yachts in 2009.
Project Cosmos is one of the largest luxury yachts currently under construction. The vessel features an explorer-style profile in which the superstructure is placed forward to create a large aft deck, which houses a swimming pool and a large cut-out that might be meant for stowing a large tender. Additionally, there’s a hemispherical observation lounge with a helipad on the bridge deck below. The exterior design has been penned by none other than Australian industrial designer Marc Newson, whose incredible portfolio includes the Apple Watch amongst other prominent products. The interior of the vessel is also the work of Newson.
The highlight of Project Cosmos is its cutting-edge powertrain that uses green fuel cell technology. “Fuel cells have very little maintenance and are more efficient than a diesel engine, which is already a very efficient way to produce power,” explained Peter Lürssen, CEO of the German shipbuilding company. It uses stored liquid hydrogen that is fed into an assembly of individual membrane electrodes that use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. No environment-damaging pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, soot, and CO2 (greenhouse gasses) are emitted by the powertrain. The only waste product that comes out is water. Rather than using liquid hydrogen stored in tanks, Lürssen’s high-tech powertrain uses easily available methanol to produce hydrogen. The German shipbuilding company claims Project Cosmos’ green propulsion system will allow the owner more than 15 nights emission-free at anchor or get more than 1000 miles emission-free cruising. The luxury superyacht is expected to be completed by next year.
