Oceanco Aeolus Yacht Concept Harnesses Future-Proof Propulsion

Imagine a yacht that not only is engineered to switch fully to fossil fuel alternatives in the coming years, but also one whose styling emulates the wind. These ideas come together in the Oceanco Aeolus yacht concept—capable of starting construction, too.

Bearing the name of the Greek wind god, the Aeolus project brings together experienced yachting firms and outside designers. In terms of the latter, Giles Taylor, whose background is the automotive sectot, penned the styling. The long lines of the 430-footer (131-meter) appear wind-sculpted. Though they further hint at J Class designs, they’re more aft-swept than owners—and the industry—typically see. And therein lies one of the points. Aeolus leverages Oceanco’s NXT initiative, which priorities new ways of thinking about yacht design, coupled with sustainability. As Marcel Onkenhout, Oceanco’s CEO, explains, “She is an example of how we envisage the evolution of yachting,” adding, “to build the yachts of tomorrow, we need to leave behind the preconceptions of yesterday.”

Yet another disposed-of preconception is dozens of staterooms for her size. Though buyers naturally will dictate the number, all parties involved planned more intimacy, and therefore more family interaction. For instance, just two VIPs and two further guest suites sit below decks, directly accessible from the beach club as well. Two more guest staterooms are on the main deck, next to the gym and alfresco atrium. The owners, meanwhile, have a cocoon-like master and private pool on the upper deck, with full or partial extra privacy one deck directly above. That deck includes a bar and lounge, easily switching from personal to more sociable entertaining when want.

From alfresco areas like a foredeck space for morning yoga or nighttime cocktail parties to interior lounges, sustainable décor materials matter, too. Njord by Bergman Design House is ensuring their sources are fully traceable, too. For example, it’s selected a vegan leather made from cactus.

Equally notable, the Aeolus yacht concept strives to be future-proof for propulsion. Oceanco, Lateral Naval Architects, and propulsion companies MTU and ABB created what they call the Energy Transition Platform (ETP). Briefly, it features an engine room and related architecture adaptable in the least-invasive way for upcoming technologies and alternative fuels. James Roy of Lateral explains, “Any yacht built today will have to span the energy transition, a period of significant change in available fuel types and associated technologies. This demands an adaptable technical architecture.”

The team envisions the ETP going through three stages. Stage one is modern-day diesel-electric propulsion. It employs five MTU gensets (a combination of three mains and two auxiliaries) with two ABB azipod drives. At anchor, according to Lateral, the yacht can rely on the auxiliary gensets for four weeks. Underway, meanwhile, the yacht should have a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 14 knots with the main gensets running.

Stage two, which Lateral expects will be in the near future, will see Alfa Laval methanol fuel cells replace the auxiliary diesel gensets. (Alfa Laval currently is testing a scalable methanol fuel cell system for marine applications.) With this setup, the Aeolus yacht should be able to remain independent at anchor for two weeks. For long-range cruising, though, she’ll still rely on her main diesel gensets.

Finally, stage three will see the Aeolus yacht rely entirely on methanol. Specifically, methanol internal-combustion gensets will replace her diesel gensets. Of course, methanol tanks will replace the diesel fuel tanks, too. Lateral anticipates four weeks of at-anchor operations and no loss in range or speed underway.

Ultimately, the Oceano Aeolus yacht concept intends to prove that sustainability can be both practical and beautiful.

Lateral Naval Architects lateral.engineering

Njord by Bergman Design House bergmandesignhouse.com

Oceanco oceancoyacht.com

LOA: 429’8” (131 meters)

Beam: 56’6” (17.25 meters)

Draft: 15’3” (4.65 meters)

Guests: owners’ choice

Engines: MTU diesel-eletric, adaptable to 100% methanol

Range: 4,500 nautical miles at 14 knots

Builder: Oceanco

Stylist: Giles Taylor

Naval Architect: Lateral Naval Architects

Interior Designer: Njord by Bergman Design House