Is Vegetable Oil a Solution for Superyachts?
It might sound surprising—even slightly absurd—but yes, superyachts can run on something close to vegetable oil. Not straight from your kitchen, but in the form of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a scientifically engineered fuel that is gaining serious attention across the industry.
At its core, HVO works because it converts biological oils into fossil-like hydrocarbons. In simple terms, it behaves almost exactly like traditional diesel, which means:
it works in existing engines without modification
it burns cleaner
it significantly reduces lifecycle carbon emissions
While it’s not a perfect long-term solution (mainly due to limited raw materials), it is currently one of the most practical ways to reduce emissions without redesigning yachts entirely.
Momentum around HVO has been building, especially following discussions at events like the Sustainable Yacht Summit in Monaco. Shipyards, engineers, and energy companies are increasingly aligned on one point: solutions that work today are urgently needed.
Major builders such as Feadship have already tested HVO during sea trials. Meanwhile, Benetti and Azimut are actively investing in its future, partnering with energy companies like Eni to expand availability.
The Environmental Case
The biggest advantage of HVO lies in emissions. Because it’s made from waste-based biological sources (like used cooking oil), its carbon footprint is significantly lower than fossil diesel.
Studies - including those referenced by the American Chemical Society - show:
up to 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions
strong reductions in nitrogen oxides
near elimination of sulfur dioxide
However
it’s more expensive than conventional diesel
supply is still limited
sourcing can require extra effort
That said, companies like Neste and Shell are investing heavily, and availability is steadily improving.
So, Is It the Answer?
Not entirely. HVO won’t solve everything, and it won’t last forever. But as a here-and-now solution, it’s one of the most realistic options available.
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