Touted as “the most extraordinary yacht ever built,” the 390-foot (118.8-meter) superyacht Breakthrough—allegedly commissioned by billionaire Bill Gates—is now preparing to make its market debut at the Monaco Yacht Show this September.
This groundbreaking vessel boasts an impressive array of features including a basketball court, a luxurious beach club–style infinity pool, a private hospital, 15 guest cabins, and a helipad. Onboard amenities also include a cinema, several hot tubs, and multiple libraries. What sets Breakthrough apart is its status as the world’s first hydrogen-powered, net-zero emission superyacht.
Carrying an eye-watering $645 million (£476 million) price tag, Breakthrough is expected to be the largest yacht on display at the Monaco event. Designed and constructed over five years, the ship is engineered to host up to 30 guests supported by a crew of 43.
The owner’s private residence within the yacht spans four stories, designed to resemble a secluded townhouse at sea. Broker Edmiston, believed to be handling the sale, describes this deck as a self-contained luxury apartment. It includes two bedrooms, dual bathrooms and dressing areas, a gym, two offices with fireplaces, a pantry, and a lounge. A private staircase lined with bookshelves and display alcoves, along with a dedicated elevator, connects the floors.
Each level of the owner’s suite offers tailored spaces for leisure—from a coffee bar and gaming area on the bridge deck to a sea-view dining room with an ensuite stateroom on the lower deck. Overall, the yacht comprises five decks above water and two below. The owner’s deck sits 121 feet (37 meters) above sea level.
Discreetly integrated throughout the yacht are 14 balconies, which remain hidden when not in use but can be deployed at the touch of a button. These transform seamlessly into flat extensions of the interior flooring.
The interiors of Breakthrough evoke a refined coastal ambiance, using a blend of luxurious materials such as marble, leather, rattan, limed oak, and textured fabrics.
Jamie Edmiston, the brokerage’s CEO, declared the yacht a game-changer for the industry. Powered solely by liquid hydrogen and advanced fuel cells, Breakthrough represents a major leap in maritime sustainability. While hydrogen fuel cells are commonly used in aerospace and automotive sectors, they are virtually unheard of in the yachting world.
Stored onboard at –253°C, the liquid hydrogen also generates heat for various features, including the yacht’s pool, steam room, heated towel racks, and bedroom floors. For longer voyages or areas where hydrogen isn’t accessible, the yacht can switch to a low-emission biofuel that cuts harmful output by 90%.
“This project was about building the greenest, most environmentally advanced yacht in history—with no compromises,” said Edmiston. “It was an enormous challenge, but the result speaks for itself. This yacht, designed by RWD and built by Feadship, is unquestionably the finest ever created.”
Feadship director Jan-Bart Verkuyl echoed the sentiment, noting that hydrogen fuel cells represent the future of yachting due to their efficiency, minimal emissions, and low noise output.
Despite widespread rumors linking Bill Gates to the project, sources report he has never boarded the yacht—even once. Though never officially confirmed, Gates has long been associated with the vessel, also known as Project 821. However, recent speculation points to Canadian billionaire Patrick Dovigi, CEO of Green For Life Environmental, as a potential buyer.
