A 390ft (118.8m) superyacht rumoured to be owned by billionaire Bill Gates is up for grabs with a whopping $US645 million ($A989 million) price tag.
Though never publicly confirmed by the Microsoft co-founder, the vessel — named “Breakthrough” and also known as “Project 821” — has long been linked to the billionaire, the New York Post reports.
Gates, however, has never actually set foot aboard the yacht, according to Luxury Launches.
Built by Dutch shipyard Feadship and designed by RWD, the seven-deck vessel took five years to complete and will be the largest yacht on display at the show.
The listing is being handled by yacht brokerage Edmiston.
“This is the one that will change it all,” Jamie Edmiston, the firm’s chief executive said.
“The brief was to build the greenest and most environmentally advanced yacht ever built, without compromise.
“It was a huge challenge, but one that the team has embraced and delivered on.”
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![119 metre long motor yacht BREAKTHROUGH on her maiden voyage off Gibraltar, Mediterranean. The hydrogen-powered superyacht was commissioned by Bill Ga](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 800 450"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A superyacht — commissioned by Bill Gates — is hitting the market for $US645 million Picture: Alamy
Despite the speculation and extensive investment, Gates has reportedly never set foot aboard. Picture: John Lamparski/Getty Images
What sets Breakthrough apart is its fuel system: a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell platform that allows the vessel to operate entirely off compressed liquid hydrogen stored below deck at minus 253 degrees Celsius.
The ship’s power plant also recycles heat generated during conversion to warm pools, steam rooms, towel bars and guestroom floors.
For voyages where hydrogen is unavailable, a secondary biofuel system supplies electricity while reducing emissions by 90 per cent.
“Fuel cells will play an important role for yachts in the years to come,” Jan-Bart Verkuyl, a director at Feadship said, citing their “superior efficiency, low particle emissions and low noise radiation.”
Beyond its green credentials, the yacht delivers the kind of luxury one might expect at this price point.
The interior is fitted with a blend of leathers, marble, limed oak and rattan, intended to evoke a coastal resort aesthetic.
There’s a full-size basketball court, a cinema, several hot tubs and a private hospital on-board.
The sale is being handled by Edmiston, whose CEO called it “the one that will change it all.” Picture: Alamy
The owner’s quarters span four private floors and include two bedrooms, twin bathrooms, dressing rooms, two offices — each with a fireplace — a gym, a pantry and a living room.
“It creates, in essence, a secluded four-level townhouse-by-the sea within the much larger yacht,” reads the listing.
Discreet balconies slide out from the hull at the touch of a button, their floors rising to sit flush with the yacht’s interior rooms.
Edmiston notes that “at each deck level, there are inviting private lifestyle destinations to savour,” such as a “coffee corner and games niche,” “a library on the main deck” and “a private dining room with a sea terrace.”
In total, Breakthrough can accommodate 30 guests and 43 crew members.
The owner’s deck alone sits 121 feet (36.8m) above the waterline.
While Gates has neither confirmed nor denied his involvement with the project, industry insiders say the yacht was built to his specifications.
Canadian billionaire Patrick Dovigi, CEO of Green For Life Environmental, is reportedly in line to acquire it.
Parts of this story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.
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