Energy-efficient aircon that beats tropical heat: The Evo 31 from Antonini Navi

Antonini Navi has launched the Evo 31, a 31.2-metre custom yacht equipped with a specialised HVAC system described as “tropicalised”, meaning it was designed specifically for very hot and humid climates. Built from steel and aluminium, the vessel features an HVAC system developed by Italian air-conditioning specialist Frigomar.

“For this yacht, we worked with Frigomar to develop a system capable of maintaining comfortable temperatures on board, even when operating in tropical conditions,” said Enrico Ferlazzo, project manager of the EVO 31. “Particular attention was given to cooling capacity, air distribution and humidity control, ensuring comfort throughout all areas of the yacht.”

The superyacht’s interior design presents additional demands for the climate control system. Spanning four decks, the vessel features expansive interiors that open directly onto large outdoor spaces. The main deck functions as a single social hub, centered around a main lounge that flows seamlessly into the aft cockpit and external living areas.

“The climate control system goes beyond simply cooling the interior spaces,” explained Ferlazzo. “Together with Frigomar, we had to account for ventilation, air distribution and humidity management while balancing the distinct requirements of guest areas, cabins and technical spaces. The core challenge was ensuring all these components integrated effectively to maintain consistent comfort throughout the yacht, even under demanding environmental conditions.”

^{The aircon system will combat extreme heat in large spaces with minimised power}

Ferlazzo noted that a primary objective on the Evo 31 was achieving high cooling performance while maintaining strict control over energy consumption. “This required careful coordination between the HVAC system and the yacht's overall electrical architecture,” he said. Alongside pure cooling capacity, sophisticated energy management solutions were essential. “The goal was not merely to install a powerful system, but to ensure it operates efficiently across varying operational conditions.”

In September, Frigomar launched its new CU210 series of high-capacity chillers, developed in response to two key market drivers: rising global temperatures demanding greater onboard cooling capacity, and increasing demand for solutions suited to larger vessels. The CU210 increases maximum cooling and heating capacity to 210,000 BTU/h — a 16.7% enhancement over the previous 180,000 BTU/h model. According to Frigomar, which has expanded production for its CU line, this performance boost is achieved without increasing footprint, weight, power supply requirements or changing the refrigerant (R410A).

The Evo 31 also features an automatic voltage converter to interface with varying electrical networks across international ports. “We worked with Marpower to integrate an advanced power conversion system capable of adapting the electrical supply to the yacht's specific requirements,” Ferlazzo said. “This solution allows the vessel to connect to diverse shore power networks despite international variations in voltage and frequency. It provides the owner with significantly greater flexibility when cruising internationally while reducing reliance on specific marina electrical infrastructure.”

The vessel is powered by Caterpillar C18 engines — a propulsion configuration selected to deliver an optimal balance of performance, reliability and operational efficiency, according to Ferlazzo. Stabilization systems and thrusters were supplied by CMC Marine.

“From a project management perspective, one of the primary challenges was ensuring all these integrated systems operated together seamlessly,” concluded Ferlazzo. “That is what makes a project like this particularly compelling: it is not just about isolated technologies, but integrating them into a cohesive, reliable vessel.”

Delivery of the yacht is scheduled for spring 2027.