Almax: bold design and breakthrough innovations of the 50Steel pioneer

The latest arrival in the Steel series has become a real center of innovations both in terms of design and technology: the yacht features the world’s first green methanol reformer fuel cell system, which produces energy for all onboard hotel needs without using motors or diesel generators

The project was initiated and commissioned by Sanlorenzo CEO, Massimo Perotti (by the way his previous 34-metre boat was named Almax, too). He set rather an ambitious goal for the project from the start: the yacht was supposed to push the boundaries of eco-friendly innovations. The first point in the brief was to maintain the luxury and comfort characteristic of the Steel series, but minimize the carbon footprint. Among other wishes, there were additional lounging areas and an optimized engine room to free up even more space for ten guests.

 Let us not forget that in the series of 46-64-metre steel vessels all models have become bestsellers. Their exterior design developed by Zuccon International Project is “classics that outlives fashion and trends”. Their pre-engineered platform saves delivery time considerably and can be customized in accordance with the owner’s taste, providing full scope for creativity not only in terms of décor, but layouts and equipment, too. In short, it is all in line with the Italian manufacturer’s credo: “Nothing is like your Sanlorenzo yacht. Not even another Sanlorenzo”. And with such a powerful background in store, the shipyard had to create something truly revolutionary. 

Technical features 

The Almax is the first 50 Steel unit. She was built in compliance with the Lloyds Register technical standards, and thanks to the unified approach the whole process took just two years and two months: the keel was laid on 1 March 2022, and the launch took place on 18 May 2024. In summer the vessel underwent all the necessary sea trials, and in September she premiered triumphantly at the Monaco Yacht Show. 

The displacement hull with a length of 50 metres and a beam of 9.3 metres is of steel, the superstructure is of aluminium. The yacht’s internal volume is 499 GT. The exterior design is easy to identify as Steel family aesthetics, but has some explorer features, too: inverted pilothouse windshield, free aft section of the main deck with low bulwarks (which can also fold down). At the bow, the side is raised to the level of the second deck, which, combined with a deep step, allows one meet the wave safely. 

The yacht is powered by twin MAN D2862-LE489 engines of 1066 kW (1450 hp) each, delivering her a cruising speed of about 12.5 knots and a top speed of up to 16 knots. An 11-knot mode is recommended for long voyages, which, combined with a fuel tank of 55 000 litres provides a range of 4000 nautical miles. 

The location of the power plant is quite a radical innovation for the shipyard. The Almax is the first Sanlorenzo vessel to feature the Hidden Engine Room. By proposing to locate all the propulsion components at a single level on the lower deck, Sanlorenzo designers actually reconsidered the traditional superyacht layout. This new and already patented concept of the Hidden Engine Room and the repositioning of all the adjoining areas, allowed the designers to turn the aft area into a guest space: instead of an engine room, there is another saloon named Ocean Lounge connected with the beach club that we will talk about in more details below. 

Methanol and sustainable development 

However, the main innovation of the project is probably the Reformer-Fuel Cell system, developed in collaboration with Siemens Energy. It transforms green methanol (biomethanol) into hydrogen, and then into electricity, which can power the hotel, i.e. lighting, conditioning, fridges and other onboard systems, as well as charge the battery banks.

It is especially emphasized that the Almax can generate up to 100 kW of electricity with the engines and diesel generators turned off. Taking into account the fact that 90% of the typical usage time of a superyacht is spent at anchor, the system does cover all the yacht’s hotel needs without consuming any diesel fuel, so the Almax’s СО2 emissions are close to zero, indeed! 

Exterior

The exterior uses the interplay of black and white colors and the expressive geometry of shapes with great taste: the snow-white sides are surrounded by long strips of tinted glazing. At first glance, it is hard to guess what surprises this yacht has in store. The thing is the Almax’s upper decks are not flat, but staggered. At the same time, the externally streamlined lines of the hull are not disrupted at all, and visually this central shift in levels is perceived as playing with volumes and colors. 

This solution does not only make the architecture of the yacht more interesting, creating the feeling of walking through a landscaped park, but also increases the interior space: the ceiling height in them ranges from 2.10 to 3.35 m! The ergonomics of movement about the yacht is ensured with the help of a smart system of stairs.

This non-standard arrangement breaks the conventional system of counting and classifying the decks (formally, there are five of them). So let us just walk through the Almax from top to bottom, taking a look at all the areas on the way. 

Interior spaces 

In accordance with the owner’s wishes, there are a lot of exterior lounging areas on board. The top place is the sundeck behind the radar mast. In addition to the sun-loungers, the central sofa can also serve as a sunbed. The jacuzzi bath with stairs on the sides separates this level from the terrace forward located slightly lower. There is a similar sunbed, too, and a bar counter in the shade of a hard top. 

The sundeck also serves as a canopy over another open terrace located right below it. There is a round dining table protected from the wind with glass panels. The seating group is extended into the sun, and various settings can be arranged out of the soft modules. 

Another half a level below towards the bow, and we get into a hall with a central spiral staircase. There is access to the additional galley (to serve the terraсe one level above) and to the wheelhouse adjacent to the captain’s cabin. There is also a convertible sofa forward here, and the very top of the forepeak is free and features a grate to provide easier access to the service anchor compartment and to the garage, as well as to enhance their ventilation. 

A few steps lower towards the stern – welcome to the main saloon, which is a real wow factor. It is three-level! First, you find yourself in the dining area with a stunning marble table, and see an open-work staircase leading up to the lounge with access to the terrace – functionally, this is the main saloon with a cockpit. A similar staircase to the left of it (there is a bar to the right) leads down to the Ocean Lounge, which is located on the lower deck and connected directly to the aft beach club. ` The abundance of glazing makes this space airy and allows you to look right through the entire interior.

All of the ample space from amidships to the garage at the bow is dedicated to the master suite. In addition to the soundproof bulkhead, it is separated from the garage by two dressing rooms (his and hers). There is also a private saloon, a mini office with a library and a generous bathroom. As usual, Piero Lissoni’s design is minimalis, but exquisite. Thus, in the owner’s cabin there is a Japanese silk folding screen stretching across the wall aft, with a hand-painted depiction of dancing cranes. From the dark wenge-paneled ceiling the brown shades flow into beige walls and furniture, and further on into the bleached wood flooring and fluffy creamy white carpets. 

Technical spaces take up about a quarter of the lower deck forward: there is a galley equipped like a good restaurant, a laundry, cabins and a mess for a crew of nine. There are four luxury suites amidships with a mirror-symmetrical layout: the headboards of the king-size beds are oriented towards the side windows. Along the hall leading towards the stern, there is a gym and a spa with a massage table and a hammam. 

Finally, we get into an ample aft lounge – the one that appeared thanks to the radical alteration of the traditional layout, as the engine room was moved to the lowest, uninhabited tank deck.  Between the Ocean Lounge and the exterior part of the deck there are glass doors that can slide completely open, creating a single space of incredible volume. Moreover, the bulwarks of the beach club can fold down, and a swimming platform unfolds from the transom. As a result, its total area reaches 150 sq.m. As an option, the yard offers a layout without the aft pool. However, the Almax does have a pool, and a podium with a huge sunpad. 

To conclude 

Sanlorenzo has really achieved a significant milestone in premium yacht building. And not just one. The innovative green methanol fuel system allows for an appropriate level of comfort on board without harming the environment and therefore making another step towards carbon-neutral yachting. A fundamental rethink of the decks’ layout gives the 50Steel a major advantage over the boats of similar length, as she provides a lot more space and volume for the guests. But even if we don’t delve into the revolutionary technical innovations, the Almax’s architecture alone deserves a mark in history as an outstanding example of bold design thought. 

Sanlorenzo Almax

Architecture: Sanlorenzo

Exterior: Zuccon International Project

Interior: Piero Lissoni 

Series / Model: Sanlorenzo 50Steel 

Shipyard: Sanlorenzo

Delivery year: 2024

Hull type: displacement 

Hull/superstructure: steel / aluminium 

Length: 49.99 m

Length at waterline: 46.73 m

Beam: 9.30 m

Draft: 2.96 m

Internal volume: 499 GT

Guests: 10

Crew: 9

Engines: 2 x MAN D2862-LE489

Speed (max)/(cruising): 16/12.5 knots

Range: 4000 miles (at 11 knots)

Category: A – Ocean