Nothing is more soothing than silence—disturbed only by the gentle sound of waves and nature itself. This is the dream of every yacht owner. For some, it is already reality.

The superyacht M/Y Obsidian is not only a luxurious yacht built with uncompromising quality in every detail, the experience onboard also provides the opportunity to enjoy nature and life at sea in silence— and without harming Mother Earth. 

M/Y Obsidian is the first generation of low-emission yachts from one of the world’s most renowned luxury yacht builders, Dutch shipyard Feadship. The vessel’s GHG footprint is exceptionally low, as the superyacht is equipped with a battery-hybrid propulsion system and four diesel generators capable of running on biodiesel.

A further step up the luxury ladder is being able to shut down the generators when at anchor—allowing guests to enjoy the day or evening without noise or exhaust. Thanks to an impressive 4.7 MWh battery bank from Corvus Energy, the 84.2-meter superyacht can remain quietly at berth or anchor for 8–12 hours, or sail 35 nautical miles at 10 knots, completely emission-free.

Futuristic Design and Engineering

M/Y Obsidian was designed by RWD and Monk Design, who were also responsible for the interior. The naval architecture was developed by Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects. The yacht has a futuristic appearance that looks ahead to the future—both above and below deck.

She features a low, slim hull optimized for efficiency at cruising speed. Extensive use of carbon fiber reduces weight, opening up new possibilities for deck layouts. The yacht, with a beam of 13.6 meters, boasts a single-level engine room, creating more space for guest accommodations.

Photo Caption: Exterior of the M/Y Obsidian yacht. Copyright Feadship 2023.

Compact Power: Maximizing Energy in Minimal Space

During the design process, the goal was to get as much energy as possible into a dedicated  battery room in order to preserve valuable space for all the amenities expected on a luxury yacht.

Koen Boerdijk, Vice President Sales Benelux & UK at Corvus Energy, explains: “The Feadship team came to us with a clear request: to fit the maximum amount of energy into the smallest possible space. The latest Corvus Dolphin batteries have the highest energy density in relation to weight and volume. In many cases, we can deliver up to three times the battery capacity within the same space compared to other maritime ESS available on the market.”

Setting a New Trend in Yachting

Boerdijk adds that M/Y Obsidian represents a new trend: larger batteries on board yachts, where space is at a premium. This is the first superyacht to feature the new generation Corvus Dolphin NxtGen ESS, combining low weight and volume with very high energy density.

According to Feadship, M/Y Obsidian represents a significant step forward in the superyacht industry’s journey toward sustainability. The Corvus batteries play a crucial role by reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and minimizing impact on sensitive marine life and ecosystems.

“Corvus Energy is a supplier that aligns perfectly with our focus on technically advanced yachts of the highest quality, with sustainability and the client at the center. We know Corvus represents reliability and offers a design that suits the luxury segment, where aesthetics are as important as performance,” says a Feadship spokesperson.

Comfort, Safety, and Peace of Mind

The yacht’s chief engineer is equally satisfied with the yard and suppliers’ dedication to reducing carbon emissions and minimizing environmental impact.

“With its innovative features and luxurious amenities, Obsidian sets a new standard for luxury yachts that prioritize sustainability,” says the chief engineer.

He adds that the battery packs also make life more comfortable and safer. In the event of a blackout, the batteries seamlessly power essential functions and “hotel amenities” such as lighting, plumbing, and more.

“With the batteries, everyday life on board becomes incredibly pleasant. We avoid noise, vibrations, and exhaust, and can enjoy our time at sea knowing that we are not harming either the air or marine life. Technically, the batteries perform flawlessly, giving us extra peace of mind,” he continues.

Smart, Flexible Battery Technology

The Corvus Dolphin ESS (Energy Storage System) is lightweight, modular, and rack-free. This allows for flexible installation configurations and full utilization of the available battery room space. The batteries are assembled in modules with separate monitoring and control systems down to the cell level—saving cabling and reducing complexity.

Corvus Energy is also the only supplier to offer remote battery system monitoring and to have achieved a DNV notation for cyber security. Battery systems operating around the world are monitored from the company’s control center located at the Corvus Energy headquarters in Norway. The center was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic when sending service engineers became difficult. From this center, experts provide advice and support to the crew on board—24/7—removing worry for owners and crew alike.

“It is very reassuring. They notify us immediately if they detect anything unusual, and we receive quick and efficient assistance whenever needed,” says the chief engineer.

Photo Caption: Battery room on board the M/Y Obsidian. Copyright Feadship 2023.

Diesel-Electric Propulsion and Beyond

The diesel-electric propulsion system, which also charges the batteries, consists of four Caterpillar (C-32) gensets capable of running on second-generation biodiesel (HVO), reducing GHG emissions by 90% compared to yachts operating on fossil fuels. Even the tenders are electric and can be charged either in the water or inside the tender garage.

Obsidian has a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure with teak decks. She accommodates up to 14 guests with a crew of 27, including the captain. Luxury amenities include a beauty salon, underwater lights, a beach club, WiFi, and air conditioning.

Designed for Efficiency

More than just a jewel of luxury, M/Y Obsidian has been designed with a hull optimized for a cruising speed of 12 knots rather than her top speed of 17 knots. She incorporates a range of energy efficiency technologies and features Feadship’s Advanced Electrical Drive (FAED) program for diesel-electric hybrid propulsion.

Toward Zero-Emission Yachting

Delivered in 2023 from Feadship’s Aalsmeer shipyard, the 2,554 GT yacht stands among the most technically advanced and dynamically designed Feadships of recent years—and marks an important milestone in Feadship’s mission to build zero-emission superyachts by 2030. This aligns perfectly with Corvus Energy’s commitment to developing new generations of battery systems, specifically tailored for yachts and other applications requiring maximum energy in the smallest and lightest possible format.

Building on Innovation

The yacht builds on the foundation of Feadship’s earlier hybrid yacht, M/Y Savannah, delivered in 2015. Senior Designer Bram Jongepier at Feadship also developed the Yacht Environmental Transparency Index (YETI), a sustainability index that measures how every component and operation of a yacht contributes to its carbon profile and environmental impact.

The YETI tool revealed that approximately 60% of the yacht’s energy consumption comes from air conditioning, heating, hot water, lighting, and other lifestyle amenities. To address this, Obsidian integrates several innovations such as peak load shaving, computer-controlled cooling management for guest and crew zones, and recovery of waste heat from generators and AC chillers—all significantly reducing overall energy consumption.

Photo Caption: Battery room on board the M/Y Obsidian. Copyright Feadship 2023.

VESSEL FACTS

M/Y Obsidian Specifications

Learn More

To learn more about Corvus Energy battery systems for yachts, superyachts and other maritime applications, please contact us.

To learn more about the Corvus Energy battery system used on board the vessel highlighted in this profile, please contact Corvus Energy VP Sales for the European Benelux Region and the UK, Koen Boerdijk at kboerdijk@corvusenergy.com.