Making waves on the cover of Ocean Magazine is ALMAX — the first Sanlorenzo 50Steel and the world’s most advanced 50-metre yacht powered by methanol fuel cells.
When Sanlorenzo unveiled ALMAX – the first hull in its all-new 50Steel series – at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show, the industry let out a collective sigh of approval. And with good reason. Not only is the 50-metre vessel the world’s first yacht that’s equipped with methanol fuel cells, it also debuted the Italian yard’s patented Hidden Engine Room (HER) system, which in turn paved the way for an unprecedented approach to interior design and a cavernous interior volume – all while keeping ALMAX below the magical 500-gt threshold.
It’s a proposition that has resonated with owners. Four more hulls, each costing around AU$65 million, were spoken for before ALMAX had even been delivered. It’s a reflection of both the popularity of Sanlorenzo’s quality and craftsmanship, and the strength of Massimo Perotti’s endorsement of his product – the Sanlorenzo CEO decided to buy the first 50Steel himself instead of risking disappointment with a customer.
“This is a pioneering situation – I didn’t want the responsibility of selling it,” he told Superyacht Life, noting that the first time they loaded the methanol tank on board, they had to do so by hand, using 20-litre cans to refill it until it reached 8,000 litres.
Risk goes hand in hand with innovative technology, and Sanlorenzo’s modular reformer fuel-cell system, developed in collaboration with Siemens Energy, is exactly that. It transforms biomethanol (green methanol) into hydrogen and then into clean electrical energy to power the yacht’s hotel systems, mitigating the need to store hydrogen on board. This allows ALMAX to generate up to 100 kilowatts of electrical energy with both the engines and diesel generators turned off, significantly increasing the time spent at anchor without diesel fuel consumption.
The interiors by Sanlorenzo’s Art Director Piero Lissoni were developed using 3D technology – another first for the Italian shipyard – and are spread across five staggered decks comprising nine interior levels where partitions and barriers are kept to a minimum. The spaces feature dark wood walls and coffered ceilings – some reaching lofty heights of 3.35 metres – and are linked by a series of open stairs designed to let light through and enhance guests’ sense of connectivity.
The lower deck is where ALMAX’s signature ocean lounge resides, comprising two sumptuous sofas, each facing views out to sea, and a central coffee table. An eye-catching picture window directly connects the interior to a sprawling exterior beach club that feels more akin to a floating island, complete with a pool, oversized sunpads and easy access to the water. At anchor, the beach club extends to an impressive 150 square metres with its three sea terraces folded out.
The massive beach club has been an absolute hit with clients, as have the luminous interiors and interconnected floating decks. ALMAX resonates with younger buyers who love extraordinary products and experiences and are intrigued with the project and its technological advancements.
Forward of the ocean lounge are five steps leading down to the gym, spa with hammam, and guest cabins, including two VIPs, and two doubles that can be configured as twins, each with a pullman berth. The guest ensuites feature brightly hued floor tiles, fluted glass doors and built-in desk/vanity areas with light oak cabinetry.
A glass-sided staircase, designed to filter natural light throughout the interior, serves as the backbone of the yacht. A second sculptural spiral staircase forward of the main dining area leads to a more casual upper-deck dining area, a winter garden of sorts where the seamless continuation of full-beam decking and large sliding picture windows blur the lines between indoors and out. When at anchor last summer, this area comfortably hosted 70 guests for a cocktail reception.
It’s the quality of execution and detailing, and the interconnected floating decks that truly stand ALMAX apart. It’s a design theme that Zuccon International Project seamlessly transposed to ALMAX’s exterior without compromising the yacht’s profile. In fact, it’s celebrated in the stepped bank of windows that run down either side, artfully disguising the yacht’s staggered floating deck arrangement.
At first glance, ALMAX appears like any other beautifully designed 50-metre yacht. But the reimagined layout not only increases the amount of indoor and outdoor living space typically found on a yacht this size, it blows conventional yacht design out of the water.
Perotti still has innovation in mind, namely a three-step Road to 2030 strategy that will see the shipyard launch its first net-zero superyacht in 2027 powered entirely by green methanol using a combination of fuel cells and internal combustion engines. A third step, full methanol engines, is planned for 2030.
The technology is also being applied outside the superyacht industry. The Group’s Bluegame division was responsible for building hydrogen-powered chase boats for the 37th America’s Cup in 2024, for both the New York Yacht Club’s team American Magic and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez’s team Orient Express. Capable of reaching 50 knots on foils propelled by a zero-emission hydrogen propulsion system, the chase boats allowed Sanlorenzo to trial the technology in smaller models prior to its integration into larger designs.
It’s fair to say that the delivery of ALMAX has catapulted Sanlorenzo from a globally renowned Made in Italy icon to a superyacht builder whose advanced and sustainable engineering and technological solutions are at the top of its game.