German shipyard ALVA Yachts has announced that the second unit in its flagship 27.5-metre Ocean Eco 90 catamaran series has now begun construction and is scheduled to splash next year.
The Ocean Eco 90 H2 is available with a fully electric drive and a hydrogen fuel cell and will be powered by two performance electric motors connected to a 500-plus kilowatt battery pack, supplemented by 200 square metres of solar panels. In a departure from the first model, the Ocean Eco 90 H2 will be fitted with Ayro's Oceanwings© wind propulsion system, with attached wind sensors for optimised performance.
The new vessel has a beam of 14 metres and features an open concept across its flybridge, helm station and skylounge, complete with a cocktail bar and Jacuzzi on the top deck. The yacht will also offer a large beach club, twin bathing platforms and al fresco seating on the aft deck.
Accommodations are organised within a generous master suite with a private study, two doubles and a twin cabin, all of which come with ensuite bathroom facilities. A further two single rooms located in the portside hull offer additional accommodations perfect for housing crew members on board.
Other interior highlights include an enclosed "penthouse-style" main saloon, a large dining table for ten guests situated forward and a galley with an island and accompanying bar stools.
The Ocean Eco 90 H2 is envisioned with a choice of either two 250 or 248-kilowatt electric motors, powering the yacht to a top speed of 16 knots and a variable cruising speed of seven to 12 knots.
"What is special about this project is certainly the leap that we are making in technology," said CEO of Alva Yachts Holger Henn. "A superyacht that can operate without fossil fuel is something we could only dream of. But with the help of strong partners and a lot of effort from the ALVA team, we want to show what is possible in boat building today.”
According to Alva Yachts, the new yacht is slated to arrive on the water in the latter half of 2024, joining the first Ocean Eco 90 in build.