Project Cosmos begins sea trials as fuel-cell pioneer
The 114.2-metre Lürssen superyacht Project Cosmos has started sea trials off Kiel, Germany. Launched in August, the yacht is notable for being among the first large yachts fitted with fuel-cell propulsion, a development that Lürssen has positioned as an important step in integrating alternative power systems into custom superyacht architecture.
Sea trials will exercise the vessel’s novel systems as well as conventional systems; the programme will assess performance, manoeuvrability and the operational integration of the new fuel-cell installation alongside traditional propulsion and hotel systems. Lürssen has described Cosmos as a distinctive project for the yard and one that will add to its technical experience on hybrid and alternative-energy solutions.
Dual 500kW methanol fuel cells and hybrid backup
At the owner’s request Lürssen installed two 500 kW methanol fuel cells, a process the yard describes as technologically challenging. When operating on fuel cells, Project Cosmos can cruise at up to seven knots with an approximate range of 1,000 nautical miles, demonstrating the practical potential of fuel-cell power for low-speed, long-range operation.
Because this configuration is being developed and tested as a prototype, the yacht retains a full complement of diesel generators, main engines and fuel tanks to permit conventional internal-combustion operation and to provide redundancy during trials. The hybrid arrangement allows validation of the fuel-cell system under real-world conditions while maintaining established operational capability.
Marc Newson’s glass dome and explorer-style design
Project Cosmos was commissioned by a Japanese owner and styled in an explorer profile by Australian industrial designer Marc Newson, who previously worked on the 139.7-metre Solaris. The yacht’s most prominent architectural feature is a large glass dome designed as a private owner’s study with an adjacent terrace; Lürssen developed a bespoke glass-bending solution to achieve uninterrupted 360-degree views in that space.
The glass motif continues throughout the upper decks: a continuous glass band encases the cabin deck for panoramic sightlines, a glass-encased observation lounge sits forward beneath the helipad, and an aft balcony features a glass balustrade overlooking the main deck. The six-deck layout also includes an aft swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and a dry dock with a sledge system to launch and recover the largest supporting tender, supporting long-range, remote cruising profiles.
Prototype impact, delivery 2026, and industry influence
Project Cosmos sits among the largest yachts currently under construction at Lürssen, though it is smaller than the 134.2-metre Project Deep Blue launched earlier in the year. Lürssen currently has 12 projects over 100 metres in build, including the 102.7-metre Project Jassj, which is scheduled for delivery within the year; Project Cosmos itself is scheduled for delivery in 2026.
As a prototype installation, Cosmos will provide measurable data on methanol fuel-cell operation, integration challenges, and operational trade-offs, which could inform future Lürssen projects and broader industry uptake of fuel-cell technology. The immediate next steps are completion of sea trials, validation of system performance, and refinement of operating procedures ahead of final outfitting and handover in 2026.
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