Perotti: "Dual-fuel engines are the (near) future. A decision on the Nautor Swan will be made by the end of the month."
Sanlorenzo's CEO believes in methanol and rejects the project for a gigayacht powered only by hydrogen (an option only available for vessels under 24 meters).
La Spezia – “It is the first in the world and will change the paradigm of pleasure boat construction.”
“It is the first 100% carbon neutral (not zero emissions).”
“It transforms green methanol into hydrogen, which in turn generates 100 kW of power, enough to power the onboard hotel and will also allow entry and docking maneuvers in marinas to be carried out using electric propulsion.”
“The one we have adopted is the only way to transport hydrogen on board without risk.”
These are some of the statements with which Massimo Perotti, CEO of the Sanlorenzo shipyard, described Almax, the first 50 steel superyacht recently launched and commissioned by himself because "we cannot yet sell a yacht with so much innovation on board to a client", he specifies.
Compared to the Dutch shipyard Feadsip, which has accelerated the timing of the launch of its 118-meter To beat Sanlorenzo by a few days and claim the title of the first hydrogen-powered pleasure vessel (zero diesel), due for delivery in 2025, Perotti emphasized that this type of yacht would not be able to bunker in city center marinas and would necessarily have to be refueled offshore via a barge. The experienced entrepreneur made no secret of his disapproval of the project, which calls for storing hydrogen in cryotanks at -253°C.
"In terms of new projects, there are two main lines," according to Perotti. "For Sanlorenzo, the 50-meter carbon-neutral vessel and the zero-emission yachts under 24 meters (with hydrogen tanks like road vehicles). In the 24- to 50-meter range, the problem of onboard hydrogen storage remains to be solved. Giga yachts with cryotanks on board are not, in my opinion, the solution for the future."
Sanlorenzo is betting on methanol, and its management explains why: "From 2026/27, new fuels for ships will begin to become available. Maersk and MSC are focusing on methanol. Methanol-powered trucks, taxis, and cars are starting to be built, and the product's distribution network will surely follow. Within a couple of years, engine manufacturers will be ready to produce dual-fuel yacht equipment, and this solution will provide the necessary flexibility until the new fuels are available everywhere in marinas."
The expected timing for the first bi-fuel superyacht will be 2028.
"The new generations are demanding innovation towards sustainability, even in the nautical sector," Perotti noted, explaining the other solutions. "The main alternative to methanol is ammonia. In the Eastern world, they prefer ammonia rather than methanol because they're less careful than the Western world; ammonia is toxic, dangerous to humans. That's why Europe and America are more cautious on the issue. In the Eastern world, there's less attention, and therefore more ammonia. Ultimately, however, one will win, and then the world will adapt accordingly, as always."
Sanlorenzo's management doesn't seem to be overly concerned about the future availability of methanol. "Today in Saudi Arabia, they're covering the desert with photovoltaic panels because with the sun that shines and lasts (they're at the equator, so it lasts a very long time), they produce a kilowatt of electricity for 0,1 euros. So, it's a very low cost of sustainable energy production, and that's where green methanol will be produced," the experienced entrepreneur continued, adding that "40 very large tankers are already under construction that will be moored in the Red Sea and from there will be used to distribute methanol wherever there is demand, in Europe, America, etc."
When asked how long it will take for the yachting industry to enter the new era of sustainability, the answer is this: "Well, consider that in 2035 Europe tells us we'll no longer have diesel cars. If the automotive industry, which is a thousand times richer and more powerful than the shipping industry (not just yachting), goes in that direction... There are BMW X1s already running on methanol."
Pleasure boating isn't far from that goal, according to Perotti: "Making the hotel industry sustainable means we've already accomplished a lot, because 85% of a yacht's use during a vacation is related to those onboard services. During a vacation, the owner sails for two hours, but the yacht stays at anchor for the rest of the day. Solving the hotel industry's problem is already a major step forward."
Regarding the anticipated acquisition of Nautor Swan, Sanlorenzo's CEO, when asked if and when the deal would close, replied: "By the end of the month. In or out. The agreement is that we'll decide what to do by the end of May."
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Sanlorenzo Almax launches the 50 steel yacht with a green methanol fuel cell system
