Posted on 08/06/2025 6:05:25 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Mark Zuckerberg’s $300 million superyacht Launchpad burned more than 528,000 gallons (2 million liters) of diesel in nine months, releasing over 5,300 tons of carbon emissions, before docking this week at France’s La Ciotat shipyard for maintenance.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has faced growing criticism over the environmental impact of his 387-foot Feadship superyacht as it toured destinations from the South Pacific to Europe. It will now undergo servicing at one of the world’s top superyacht facilities, the same yard that previously handled Jeff Bezos’ yacht Koru.
Months of travel draw scrutiny
The yacht’s journey has drawn attention not only for its opulence but also for its extensive mileage. In January, Luxurylaunches reported that Launchpad and its $30 million support vessel Abeona spent almost two months awaiting Zuckerberg’s arrival in the South Pacific.
He never boarded, and the two vessels returned to Port Everglades, completing a 9,600‑nautical‑mile round trip from San Francisco — a voyage that consumed an estimated 178,700 gallons (676,800 liters) of diesel.
Stops in Norway and Greece
By April, the yacht began a new series of voyages with Zuckerberg, his wife Priscilla Chan, and their children, visiting remote destinations worldwide. The first leg included a 5,280‑mile trans‑Atlantic journey to Norway, where the vessel anchored in the fjords as a base for heliskiing.
Grecian Delight supports Greece
Zuckerberg arrived via helicopter directly onto the yacht’s helipad to comply with Norwegian landing rules. Despite backlash from locals over the yacht’s presence, the family continued their travels across Europe.
The summer itinerary later took them to Greece, where Facebook executives joined to celebrate Zuckerberg’s 40th birthday aboard the vessel. Designed by Espen Øino, Launchpad features four decks, accommodations for 26 guests in 13 cabins, and a crew of 42. The yacht’s design reflects modern luxury, but its carbon footprint has raised questions among environmental observers.
Carbon emissions spark environmental debate
Data from The Yacht CO₂ Tracker Collective reveals the scale of its impact. The yacht emitted 6.2 tons of CO₂ while burning almost 630 gallons (2,394 liters) of fuel during just four days of sailing between Positano and Naples. It has consumed over 528,000 gallons (2 million liters) of fuel since October 2024, releasing more than 5,300 tons of CO₂.
Engines and fuel use
Launchpad is powered by four MTU 20V 4000 M93L diesel engines, each using about 291 gallons (1,101 liters) of fuel per hour. Combined, they allow a top speed of 24 knots and draw from a fuel tank that holds 112,000 gallons (423,700 liters) of diesel.
Reports note that the yacht burns approximately 1,165 gallons (4,410 liters) of fuel per hour during standard cruising, releasing around 40 tons of CO₂, equivalent to the emissions of 630 average family cars.
In broader terms, one hour of cruising equals the carbon output of driving a gasoline car about 99,000 miles, or four trips around the Earth.
With the vessel now docked for service in France, the respite may be for the yacht itself, even as scrutiny over the environmental cost of such luxury travel continues to grow.
We’ll never have to suffer another Global Warming lecture from the Zuck.
Warding off another ice age comes at a cost. Thanks zuck. 🤔👍😂
Zuck, the cuck, says: “Diesel for me!! But NONE for thee...”
I hope Greta Thunberg has been a guest on this boat.
Does Greta Thunberg still care about the environment, or just “saving the world from the Jews.”
I would think if it didn’t burn that much fuel it wouldn’t be called a super yacht, it would be called a “waste”.
I’m surprised DeVries would build such an ugly boat.
Good for him. He’s filthy rich and should enjoy it. Personally the largest boat i aspire to is a pursuit 355, but can’t bring myself to part with the money even for a used one. I know some people must but new boats, but I’d have to have a lot more money to want to do that.
Let the envious leftists screech about CO2. Gives them something to do.
Because he cozied up to Trump. Then suddenly the leftists discovered his polluting megayacht.
Who freaking cares?
The amount of money this behemoth has added to global economies makes nonsense out of all this global warming BS...
Not to mention $3.000,000 that could gave gone to the poor.
So what?
Greta is an actress.
Funny, it must have all fallen back to Earth, as there is virtually no CO2 in the atmosphere.
For me God’s blessing also comes with a curse. I can have anything I want ... one piece at a time.
So?
It’s ok. Just like Al Gore said about his massive use of electricity at his mansion, “I can afford it.”
Now just go and eat your cake, peasant.
As opposed to a “super waste”?
Obviously, the peasants should be cut back more on heating and driving in order to compensate.
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