SuperyachtNews.com - Business - Archipelago Yachts secures government funding

By SuperyachtNews

Archipelago Yachts secures government funding

The British boatbuilder has been granted funds to develop a bio-methanol-powered yacht, set to debut in 2025…

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has awarded Archipelago Yachts a grant that will be used to design and build a  vessel powered by bio-methanol. The funding was secured following a lengthy selection process as part of a carbon reduction strategy for the British Maritime sector.

“We are thrilled to be awarded this funding, which is going to make a huge impact for the future of the maritime industry in terms of sustainability,” says Dr Stephen Weatherley, founder of Archipelago Yachts. “Since founding Archipelago, clean maritime solutions have always been a huge focus for the company, and this grant is allowing us to honour that, which is amazing.”

The low-carbon emission leisure vessel initiative is part of Archipelago Yachts' maritime decarbonisation programme, conducted in collaboration with Chartwell Marine, Boat Electrics and Electronics (BEE) and Engineered Marine Systems (EMS).

The funding is a result of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4). After a four-stage process involving five independent assessors from industry and academia, Archipelago Yachts emerged as one of six successful applicants.

CMDC4, funded by the DfT and executed by Innovate UK, is a component of the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £206 million initiative dedicated to developing the technology needed to decarbonise the UK's domestic maritime sector.

The propulsion system for this vessel, designed by Archipelago and Chartwell in collaboration with BEE and EMS, features a parallel hybrid system that combines energy from methanol reformers and hydrogen fuel cells.

The methanol-powered yacht is scheduled to undergo its inaugural demonstration in the UK for one month in March 2025.

Join the discussion

Archipelago Yachts secures government funding

35589

To post comments please Sign in or Register

When commenting please follow our house rules


Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.

Related news

Image for The teak critique

The teak critique

We analyse the sustainability of the desire for teak decking in view of the projected increase in demand from yachts in refit

Owner

Image for Hydrogen’s hurdles

Hydrogen’s hurdles

Hydrogen might seem like the ideal fuel for the decarbonisation journey, but in reality, several hurdles hinder its implementation

Opinion

Image for ‘If we build sustainably, they will come’

‘If we build sustainably, they will come’

MB92’s Rob Papworth and Philippe Bernard discuss the changing landscape of refit, new technologies and a shortage of skilled workers

Business

Image for WRF features in Ocean Titans video series

WRF features in Ocean Titans video series

Water Revolution Foundation (WRF) features in World Ocean Council video, to spotlight the intent and efforts of the industry to drive positive change

Owner

Image for Collaboration and fragmentation: sustainability in the industry

Collaboration and fragmentation: sustainability in the industry

On Ocean Day of The Superyacht Forum, sustainability-focused groups came together to clarify how the industry can push for positive change

Crew

Image for Class notations: a potential tool for progressing sustainability

Class notations: a potential tool for progressing sustainability

Class societies have a role to play in advancing the sustainable design and operation of yachts, but are they maximising their efforts? 

Crew

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

Receive unrivalled market intelligence, weekly headlines and the most relevant and insightful journalism directly to your inbox.

The SuperyachtNews App

Follow us on