Archipelago Yachts awarded DfT funding to progress low-carbon emission leisure vessel

The Archipelago 47 © Archipelago Yachts

Archipelago Yachts, in partnership with Chartwell Marine, Boat Electrics and Electronics (BEE) and Engineered Marine Systems (EMS), has been awarded funding as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), which will enable the progression of a methanol-powered low carbon emission leisure vessel.

Following a four-stage process, which involved five independent assessors selected from industry and academia, the British boat builder has been chosen as one of six businesses which were successful in their applications.

This project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC4 is part of the Department's UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £206m initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.

Dr Stephen Weatherley, founder of Archipelago said: "We are thrilled to be awarded this funding, which is going to make a huge impact for the future of the maritime industry in terms of sustainability. The funding will be used to create a methanol demonstrator vessel, powered by clean bio-methanol, creating a low carbon emission leisure vessel. Since founding Archipelago, clean maritime solutions have always been a huge focus for the company and this grant is allowing us to honour that, which is amazing."

The Archipelago 47, designed by award-winning naval architects Chartwell Marine, was the first vessel designed in the range at 47 feet, bridging the gap between performance, range and luxury accommodation. The yacht was designed to feel like a home, making it the ultimate family cruiser with easily accessible and serviceable systems.

The propulsion system which will be used for this new sustainable vessel was designed by Archipelago and Chartwell with collaborators BEE and EMS. The design boasts a revolutionary parallel hybrid system, combining the clean energy derived from a pair of reformers and hydrogen fuel cells.

Archipelago was up against 20 other applications in the competition, of which 17 were assessed with 11 chosen for final interviews and six approved for funding.

As part of this project the methanol-powered vessel will be demonstrated in the UK for a one-month period during March 2025.

To learn more about the Archipelago 47, please visit: www.archipelago-yachts.co.uk/archipelago47