UNSEEN INNOVATION: THE WORLD’S LARGEST SPORTFISHER UNVEILS A SECRET AT MONACO YACHT SHOW
When Special One arrived in Port Hercules for the Monaco Yacht Show, it was instantly recognisable as the world’s largest true sportfish yacht. What isn’t immediately clear, however, is that the head-turning vessel is designed to run on HVO100 a fossil-free fuel.
From the initial design concept, the owners, in collaboration with Dutch design studio Vripack, which has penned the exterior, interior and naval architecture, homed in on the opportunity to work with engine manufacturers MAN to create a yacht that maximises owner enjoyment and an environmental approach to yachting.
“We applied our most radical naval architecture to date on this hull, resulting in dramatic lower resistance and, consequently, reduced fuel consumption,” says Bart Bouwhuis, Vripack co-creative director. “However, we were also acutely aware that the twin V20 MAN 4500kW drive train that propels this yacht to over 32 knots, and her twin Zenoro 180 kW generators will always burn a substantial amount of fuel. We knew of this fossil-free fuel as a highly welcome alternative.”
HVO100 is a hydrotreated vegetable oil that reduces harmful CO2 emissions by over 90%. It is produced from food industry waste and is 100% renewable and traceable.
“With such a significant reduction in harmful emissions, it also means that engine components, such as filters and injectors, stay cleaner and require less maintenance,” adds Bouwhuis. “As a team, we wanted to go beyond scratching the surface. Collaboration, dialogue, and most importantly, action is what is required today. That’s our goal with this innovation for Special One.”
“We will inevitably face setbacks as the design challenge is vast, substantial and too important to fall prey to ego,” concludes Bouwhuis. “However, change will only commence when awareness is followed by inspiration”, says Bouwhuis.
