In a major advancement for sustainable yachting, Port Vauban in Antibes has officially entered the era of liquid hydrogen (LH2) bunkering, having successfully refuelled the 118.8-metre Feadship superyacht Breakthrough this past weekend. The operation marks a national first for France and a pivotal moment for the Mediterranean’s largest marina.
The bunkering was the result of several years of technical and regulatory groundwork coordinated between SAS Vauban 21 (Port Vauban’s managing entity), international hydrogen specialists, bunkering service providers, the Feadship yacht’s technical team, the Antibes SDIS (fire and safety services), and the Antibes-Juan-les-Pins port authority.
No On-Site Storage, Full Compliance
To enable hydrogen refuelling, Port Vauban has adapted part of its IYCA quay, expanding and reinforcing a section of the outer harbour to accommodate safe and controlled LH2 delivery. Unlike conventional fuel systems, this setup requires no permanent storage infrastructure. Instead, the bunkering process is carried out by specialist trucks over several hours, with all operations conducted on a designated concrete zone designed specifically for hydrogen handling.
Each refuelling event is individually approved by port and city authorities and follows a strict safety protocol derived from a dedicated risk analysis. The operation is jointly monitored by representatives from the yacht, bunkering company, and Port Vauban, ensuring full compliance with international safety standards.
A European First-Mover
This follows Breakthrough’s milestone achievement in May 2025, when the yacht became the first in the world to receive liquid hydrogen bunkering in the Netherlands. With its recent call to Port Vauban, the yacht reaffirms its role as a technology flagship for the future of zero-emissions superyachting.
Port Vauban’s move is not only significant for Feadship and Breakthrough, but also for the broader industry, as it establishes the Mediterranean’s readiness to support next-generation propulsion systems and hydrogen-fueled vessels.
Strategic Investment in Infrastructure
Port Vauban has been under the management of SAS Vauban 21 since 2017, operating under a 25-year concession granted by the City of Antibes. The management consortium includes the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Caisse des Dépôts (via Banque des Territoires), and Caisse d’Epargne Côte d’Azur. Together, they are reshaping the port’s infrastructure to meet the demands of modern superyachts—technologically, environmentally, and operationally.
With this new capability, Port Vauban strengthens its position as a trailblazer in maritime innovation, offering owners and builders a viable LH2 refuelling point in the heart of the Côte d’Azur.
