Meyer Werft targets yacht segment

With a length of 150 metres and a width of 20 metres, the ONE 50 would represent a very confident entry into the gigafishing business. What's more, at 15,000 gross tonnes, it would be the second-largest yacht behind the 156-metre-long "Dilbar", which has a volume not much greater. What is even more astonishing is that Meyer Werft intends to carry out everything itself, from the exterior and interior design to the interior fittings and finish. However, there are plans to bring in personnel support from the yacht industry. "Since 1795, we have built more than 700 ships in Papenburg alone. Our references can therefore be seen on all the world's oceans," says shipyard owner Bernard Meyer. The Meyer Group, which also has sites in Rostock and Turku in Finland, builds large and complex cruise ships in halls up to 504 metres long. The 337 metre long AIDAnova has already been retrofitted with fuel cells that cover the hotel operations and obtain their hydrogen from methanol. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is used as fuel for the pod drives.

Meyer Werft, like Lürssen part of the Pa-X-ell-2 research project, is going one step further with ONE 50 and wants to realise the first emission-free gigayacht. The propulsion energy is to be supplied exclusively by fuel cells which, in combination with batteries, will feed electric motors with a total output of 25,000 kilowatts. Forecasts predict a top speed of 23 knots. Unlike the 289 metre "Njord", which Meyer is building as a flat ship, ONE 50 is to be built individually for one owner. On board, up to 44 guests will enjoy a spa area on two levels, a cinema with adjoining billiards room, an entertainment area with stage, an art gallery and an infinity pool on the aft deck. Bernard Meyer is confident about the realisation of the Meyer yacht: "We have already received very positive feedback because we can realise almost limitless ideas and ship sizes - even the seemingly craziest ones. We are currently seeing that the demand for superyachts is increasing and that there is room for another shipyard in this segment."