Designing the Future of Superyachting!
Exclusive Selection Yacht Design & Innovation Hub, Monaco Yacht Show 2025
At the heart of the Monaco Yacht Show 2025, the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub once again reaffirmed its position as a true creative powerhouse — a destination where visionaries, naval architects, and design studios reveal the concepts shaping the next generation of superyachts. Under the inspiring theme “Meet the designers and trendsetters shaping tomorrow’s superyachting”, this dedicated space brought together some of the industry’s most forward-thinking talents, presenting a captivating blend of sustainability, technology, and artistry. Within this realm of ideas and innovation, Boat Attitude International has selected a handful of the most remarkable creations showcased inside the Hub — projects that not only push the limits of imagination and design, but also embody the evolving spirit of modern yachting: more connected, more sustainable, and more visionary than ever. In the following pages, discover our exclusive selection of innovations that caught our attention at the Hub — from immersive digital experiences to revolutionary propulsion concepts redefining the future of superyachting.
The Modular Nuclear Reactor Concept
At this year’s Yacht Design & Innovation Hub, renowned yacht designer Espen Øino joined forces with Emerald Nuclear Inc. to unveil one of the most ambitious energy concepts ever proposed for superyachts — a 4th-generation modular nuclear reactor, engineered specifically for marine use. This groundbreaking innovation promises to transform the future of energy at sea — redefining autonomy, sustainability, and performance for the next generation of large yachts.
At the core of the concept are two 5,000 kWe High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTGR) using TRISO fuel, a highly stable 4th-generation nuclear design optimized for compactness and safety. Developed in collaboration with PTT Nuclear Energy Systems and GEM Reactors, the system is conceived for modular installation on large vessels. Each reactor is encased within a shielding structure made of water and dense solid materials, effectively blocking radiation within the reactor compartment. While this shielding adds considerable weight, it guarantees full containment and crew safety — a critical prerequisite for marine deployment.
From Heat to Power: The PIT System
Thermal energy from the reactor is transferred to a supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) loop that drives a high-speed turbine connected to a turbogenerator — known as the PIT (Power-Integrating Turbine) System. This process converts heat into clean electricity, efficiently powering the yacht’s entire energy infrastructure. A bank of 100 battery modules (50 kWh each) stores surplus energy, ensuring smooth load balancing and peak-shaving capacity. From there, the energy flows through advanced switchboards, distributing emission-free electricity to all onboard systems — including fully electric tenders and support craft.
A Visionary Partnership
Espen Øino’s involvement signals more than a design endorsement — it marks a new chapter in sustainable superyacht engineering. As Øino puts it: “You don’t buy the reactor, you buy the power.” This suggests a paradigm shift toward a service-based model — where yacht owners no longer purchase a propulsion system, but rather access clean, continuous energy on demand. For Emerald Nuclear Inc., this is about more than efficiency; it’s about transformation. As CEO Hallgeir Juliebø explains, their goal is to reimagine the maritime industry itself: reducing operational costs, eliminating refuelling constraints, and unlocking unprecedented mission endurance for vessels across sectors.
Challenges and Opportunities
While visionary, the project faces tangible challenges — from regulatory frameworks and insurance models, to public perception of nuclear technology in leisure vessels. Weight, cooling systems, and integration within a yacht’s structural envelope all require advanced engineering solutions. Yet the promise is extraordinary: near-limitless clean power, zero emissions, and total independence from fossil fuels. If realized, the Modular Nuclear Reactor Concept could mark a turning point in superyacht design — and perhaps the beginning of a new atomic era at sea.
Winch Design reveals Reverie: 80m Oceanco Simply Custom Superyacht!
“A state of being pleasantly lost in one’s thoughts or a daydream.”
Inspired by the tranquil elegance of nature and the poetic essence of daydreams, Project Reverie is a concept created by Winch Design as part of Oceanco’s Simply Custom 80m initiative — a new approach to yacht building that simplifies the fully custom process while maintaining Oceanco’s renowned pedigree.
Reverie’s flowing lines and sculptural purity express the essence of timeless elegance. The design merges interior and exterior living spaces seamlessly, offering a fluid onboard experience that perfectly suits the lifestyle of a modern yacht owner. A highlight of the concept is its three-deck “beach and wellness” area, featuring a lower-deck spa and gym with direct sea access, connected to a shaded aft pool and bar. The semi-enclosed pool lounge on the main deck enhances family comfort while reducing energy use — harmonising indoor and outdoor living.
Inspired by the natural weathering of pebbles and stones, the design reflects softness, balance, and sustainability. Decorative timber elements crafted from eco-conscious materials like maple or tesumo underline the project’s environmental awareness while preserving its refined aesthetic.
“Our duty as designers is to infuse purpose, inspiration, and innovation into our clients’ dreams,” explains Jim Dixon, Managing Partner & Creative Director, Yachts & Aviation at Winch Design. “From our Thames-side studio, we draw inspiration from the serene beauty of the water’s edge — simplicity that leaves lasting impressions.”
Hydro Tec unveils Vagrant: Redefining the Modern Explorer Yacht!
Designed by Hydro Tec, Vagrant embodies the studio’s distinctive vision — merging efficiency, elegance, and sustainability into one cohesive concept. Presented at the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub, this explorer yacht challenges conventional boundaries, offering the freedom to navigate the world without compromise.
Vagrant’s sleek yet purposeful profile combines advanced naval architecture with refined Italian design, reflecting Hydro Tec’s 30 years of expertise in engineering and creativity. The concept places a strong emphasis on autonomy and versatility, with expansive outdoor living areas, an ocean-view beach club, and optimised interior layouts that ensure comfort during long-range voyages. A bold statement of sustainable innovation, Vagrant incorporates energy-efficient systems and next-generation propulsion solutions to minimise its environmental impact while maintaining performance and luxury.
“Vagrant represents a new chapter in our continuous evolution,” notes Hydro Tec’s founder Sergio Cutolo. “It expresses the perfect balance between functionality and emotion — a yacht built to explore, designed to inspire.”
VBH presents Immersia & Digital Shower: A New Dimension of Onboard Experience!
At the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub, VBH (Van Berge Henegouwen) — pioneers in onboard technology — introduced two visionary innovations: Immersia and the Digital Shower. Together, they redefine how owners and guests interact with their surroundings at sea.
Immersia transforms yacht interiors into fully interactive environments. Using ultra-high-definition LED panels and intuitive digital interfaces, guests can virtually explore future designs, visualise spaces in real scale, and even alter moods or lighting scenarios in real time. This immersive system reflects VBH’s philosophy: Innovate. Integrate. Inspire.
Meanwhile, the Digital Shower reimagines wellness at sea through a blend of technology and serenity. Controlled via touch or voice, it allows users to tailor water flow, lighting, and sound, creating a personalised spa-like ritual — a perfect balance of innovation and relaxation.
By merging digital art, sensory technology, and human emotion, VBH once again pushes the limits of onboard experience — turning technology into a living element of yacht design.