Bill Gates hasn’t commissioned first liquid hydrogen-powered superyacht, worth $644 million

UPDATED 10.2.20 Bill Gates has not bought the world’s first hydrogen-powered superyacht, which is reported to be worth $644 million. The Microsoft co-founder has not ordered construction of the Aqua yacht, which has been designed by Dutch marine architects, Sinot, and was a big hit at last year’s Monaco Yacht Show. Although MIN reported this morning that Gates had purchased the vessel it appears that we, along with all national media, were incorrect.

Sinot Yacht Architecture and Design has released a statement to say that all articles relating to Bill Gates purchasing Aqua are in incorrect. Sinot states it has no business relationships with Gates, and invites any visionary client to show their interest instead.

The vessel in question will be powered fully by liquid hydrogen, with its only product being water, and will come in at 112 metres long and comprises five decks. Its top speed is reported to be 17 knots and it can travel nearly 6,000 kilometres before needing to be refuelled.

The ship will have its own gym, spa and beauty room, a massage parlour and yoga studio, as well as a cascading pool at the rear. On the lower level, the 14 guests and 31 crew will be able to view the ship’s hydrogen fuel tanks, which will both weigh 28 tons and will be vacuum-sealed and cooled to -253°C to contain the liquid hydrogen fuel which will power the vessel. It is expected to be ready by 2024.

Liquid hydrogen is often touted as a fuel of the future in mass transportation and has already been used in fuel-cell buses in cities such as London, Sao Paulo and San Francisco, as well as in passenger car prototypes and spacecraft propulsion. Gates, who is reportedly worth $110 billion, regularly rents yachts for his vacations and summer trips on the Mediterranean Sea.

Speaking to Forbes, designer Sander Sinot says: “With every project, I challenge my team and myself to surpass ourselves. For the development of Aqua we took inspiration from the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner, the fluid versatility of water and cutting-edge technology to combine this in a 112-meter superyacht with a fully operational liquid hydrogen and fuel cell system that features ground-breaking technology, as well as design and aesthetics.”