Superyachts are symbols of lavish excess, but more owners are thinking about the planet and how to make their vessels more eco-friendly. Here's a snapshot of the latest green yachts.
Courtesy Oceanco
Eco-friendly: Oceanco's Black Pearl is the world's largest sailing superyacht at 106.7 meters (350 feet) and is said to be able to cross the Atlantic without using fossil fuel.
Courtesy Oceanco
Smart energy: The yacht features a hybrid propulsion system which can generate its own electricity from its spinning propellers while sailing. It also has a high-tech waste heat recovery system, while solar sails are also in the pipeline.
Courtesy Oceanco
Innovative ideas: Black Pearl won "Best Naval Architecture for Sailing Yachts" in the 2019 Boat International Design & Innovation Awards.
Courtesy Oceanco
Hybrid future: The giant Sailing Yacht A -- technically a sail-assisted motor yacht -- also uses hybrid fuel techniques.
Courtesy Peter Seyffert
Seafaring life: Sailing Yacht A has an elevator on its 100-meter-tall masts, allowing guests to travel to the top and admire the sea views.
Courtesy J. Baresic
Explorer vessel: Another superyacht trend is the move towards "explorer" yachts -- they're state-of-the-art, but also able to contribute towards ocean research projects and venture into wilder areas. Pictured here is a design for upcoming superyacht REV Ocean. The largest superyacht currently under construction is projected to measure 182.6 meters.
Courtesy REV Ocean
Ocean exploration: "It's one thing to sail on top of the ocean but there's so much technology available now that lets you get underneath the water and explore the oceans in a completely unique way," REV Ocean's communication manager, Lawrence Hislop, tells CNN Travel.
Courtesy REV Ocean
Another Oceanco project, the 105m Esquel is a diesel-electric vessel designed to explore remote locations.
Oceanco
Still in the concept phase, the Esquel will be capable of traveling 7,000 nautical miles in a single journey. "Toys" on board will include snowmobiles, a helicopter and a submarine, say Oceanco.