Hydrogen-powered innovation and long-range exploration took center stage at the 2026 World Superyacht Awards, where Feadship’s 118.8-meter (390-foot) Breakthrough was named Motor Yacht of the Year.
Organized by BOAT International, the annual awards are among the yacht industry’s highest honors, recognizing the world’s best custom and semi-custom yachts. This year’s winners highlighted a broader shift in owner priorities, with judges rewarding advances in engineering, sustainability and expedition capability alongside luxury.
Breakthrough sets a new standard
Breakthrough also won the displacement motor yacht category for vessels above 5,000 gross tons. Built by Dutch shipyard Feadship, it is the largest superyacht ever constructed in the Netherlands and the first to use cryogenic liquid hydrogen to supply fuel cells for propulsion.
Caroline White, editor of BOAT International, said the awards are unique because they are judged entirely by current and former superyacht owners.
“What makes the World Superyacht Awards so special is that, unlike any other such prizes, the jury is made up exclusively of current and former superyacht owners,” White said in an interview. She said the judges travel internationally to inspect nominated yachts and draw on decades of ownership experience when selecting winners.
Hydrogen-powered innovation stole the spotlight at the 2026 World Superyacht Awards.
Feadship's 390-foot Breakthrough was named Motor Yacht of the Year, becoming the first superyacht to use cryogenic liquid hydrogen fuel cells for propulsion. pic.twitter.com/HXyR0eIa27
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) July 8, 2026
White described Breakthrough as “a totem for the hot-button topic of next-generation fuels and propulsion.” She said the project reflected an owner’s willingness to invest in new technology that could influence the industry’s future.
Beyond its hydrogen system, Breakthrough features separate circulation routes for owners, guests and crew, flexible accommodation for up to 15 guest suites, a counterflow swimming pool above the beach club, and an underwater lounge known as the Nemo room.
Sailing and exploration take center stage
Royal Huisman’s 65-meter Aquarius was named Sailing Yacht of the Year. Designed by Dykstra Naval Architects, the yacht combines high-performance sailing with a lifting keel that allows both shallow-water anchoring and offshore cruising. Its interior, created by Mark Whiteley, follows a relaxed New England style.
The Voyager’s Award went to the 43.9-meter (144-foot) explorer yacht Dolce after a voyage of more than 40,000 nautical miles. Led by Captain Brett Sussman, the expedition took the owners across Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean and French Polynesia before wildlife visits to Uganda and Rwanda.
The Legacy Award was presented posthumously to Singaporean businessman Goh Cheng Liang, founder of White Rabbit Yachts.
Explorer yachts gain momentum
White said explorer yachts remain one of the clearest signs of changing owner priorities. Owners want to travel farther and reach remote destinations, she explained. BOAT International’s latest Global Order Book shows 101 explorer yachts over 24 meters (79 feet) are now under construction or on order.
Other winners included Feadship’s Valor and Pi, Heesen’s hybrid yacht Orion, the rebuilt yacht Moonstone, sailing yacht Katana and the restored Seawolf.
Innovation outweighs size
Although some of today’s largest superyachts are valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, this year’s awards showed that innovation, efficiency and exploration now matter as much as size. From hydrogen propulsion to hybrid technology and globe-spanning voyages, the winners reflected an industry redefining what a modern superyacht can be.
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