Meyer Yachts, a subsidiary of the Meyer Group, a German shipbuilding company, has entered the superyacht sector and unveiled its first-ever superyacht model at the Monaco Yacht Show, a 150-metre fuel cell and battery powered superyacht concept, ONE 50.
“Since 1975, we have built more than 700 ships in Papenburg alone. So our references can be seen on all the world’s oceans. Now we are opening the next chapter in our history and entering the market for superyachts. 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 there is room for another shipyard in this segment,” said Bernard Meyer of the Meyer group.
Of the “seemingly craziest ones” – in terms of superyacht designs and concepts – is the group’s aforementioned ONE 50 concept. The superyacht, which features fuel cells and battery banks in lieu of a traditional diesel propulsion system, is radical in not only its size but also in its approach to sustainability. ONE 50 is powered electrically by 25,000 kilowatts, which will allow her to reach a top speed of 23 knots.
At 15,000 GT and with a beam of 20-metres, the superyacht can accommodate as many as 44 overnight guests. ONE 50 is equipped with an array of standout features, among them is a two-level spa, an art gallery, and an infinity pool to the superyacht’s stern.
With shipbuilding sheds up to 504-metres long and experience in building vessels almost 350-metres, Meyer Yachts sees its progression into the superyacht sector as organic. “Superyachts are a new market segment that we can serve at all three shipyards. At Meyer, it is always our ambition to position ourselves at the top – in environmental protection as well as now in yacht size. That’s why One 50 is just the beginning of our ideas and plans,” commented Thomas Weigend of the Meyer Group.
As Meyer Yachts has stepped onto the superyacht scene for the first time, it sees green-technology as a way to distinguish itself from the market’s current offerings. “We see a lot of potential in superyachts for new environmentally friendly technologies, which we also use directly in the ONE 50, for example, the fuel cell for emission-free ship operation. We attach very great importance to this. In addition to the many competencies and skills we already have, we will also bring additional specialists from the yacht building industry into our team and strengthen the Meyer Group, said Malte Poelmann of the Meyer Group.