Future-Proofing Yachting: The dual challenge of superyacht sustainability

There has been an increasing focus on improving the sustainability credentials of yacht building, but does this result in ignoring half the problem? We discuss the new technology on the scene and the questions to be asked for a better future.

The superyacht industry is at a critical crossroads. With 1,166 projects in the pipeline (BOAT International, 2024), we are witnessing continued growth of newly built yachts. But with this sustained growth alongside the increasing pressure to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint and as environmental concerns intensify, questions arise: Are technological advancements enough to reimagine the yacht-building process? And, while the sector may begin to build better, what are we doing about the current fleet already on the water?

Marginal impact of yachting in total GHG shipping emissions

Shipyards breaking the mould

Among the 232 shipyards in the industry (Superyacht Times, 2023), some are boldly stepping up to the sustainability challenge with various plans and pledges in place. Take the Italian builder Sanlorenzo as an example, an industry leader with 132 projects on its books (Global Order Book, 2024), whose “Road to 2030” initiative places sustainability at the core of its business development. Ranking second among top builders by total length of construction, one of Sanlorenzo’s business pillars is ‘sustainability and technology for a shift in the yachting paradigm’, therefore positioning themselves at the forefront of driving significant change in yacht building practices. So, what progress have they made?

Already, the shipyard has made significant strides, transitioning to renewable energy in its main production facilities. Last year, solar panels were installed at their Ameglia, La Spezia, and Viareggio sites, making another concrete step toward greener shipyard operations. In its 2023 Consolidated Non-Financial Statement, various improved production processes are outlined, such as its fibreglass infusion technique and the unique suction systems in painting processes to prevent the dispersion of chemicals. The various viable material alternatives for the build process are also being explored. While synthetic materials have been widely used, natural options, such as volcanic fibres replacing glass and eco-sourced resins, are slowly proving usable. Recyclable materials for interiors and ethically selected woods also contribute to these changes.

The shipyards initiative isn’t just a corporate promise; its commitment is evident in its most recent agreement with the Italian government and regional authorities. It outlines details of a €91.5 million investment project aiming to enhance sustainability, technological innovation, and production capacity throughout Tuscany and Liguria. And the results of their progress so far can be seen in newly launched models that boast better eco-sustainability standards. Notably, the first unit of its 50Steel – the world’s first superyacht with a methanol reformer fuel cell system, capable of powering the onboard systems with zero emissions. Meanwhile, part of the Sanlorenzo group, Bluegame, has built the first hydrogen-powered chase boat for the America’s Cup – another highlight of technology applied to sustainability.

New technology on the scene

These efforts are being facilitated by advanced and new technology on the scene. Traditional design and manufacturing processes are renowned for being resource and labour-intensive. With superyachts’ size and design complexity increasing, coupled with the vision to build more sustainably, new processes have come to the fore to streamline design and construction. Today, virtual modelling reduces the need for resource-intensive physical prototypes, while Artificial Intelligence (AI) is optimising hull design for improved efficiency and fuel consumption. These AI advancements also enable more sustainable operations through smart energy management systems onboard.

One of the most intriguing developments is the rise of additive manufacturing, known widely as 3D printing. Back in 2020 at the Genoa Boat Show, Moi Composites showcased the ‘world’s first 3D fibreglass boat‘ at 6.5 metres and last year, designer Jozeph Forakis launched his 88-metre, penned concept of the ‘world’s first 3D printed superyacht,’ with construction that addresses environmental credentials. Yachting is a unique area for exploiting this technology, especially when more eco-conscious production processes are in demand.

3D printing reduces material waste, thereby only using the necessary amount of material—key for customisation projects such as yachts. This technology can also reduce time and labour costs, as parts can be built locally and on demand. Producing like these is more efficient and sustainable, with fewer parts needing to be shipped worldwide, ultimately creating a more circular manufacturing model.

There have also been developments with the material used for 3D printing, such as recyclable and biodegradable printing pellets. While the industry isn’t yet at a stage to build full-scale 3D-printed yachts, yards are incorporating the technology into component manufacturing and prototyping. Sanlorenzo has already collaborated with Moi Composites to produce specific yacht parts.

An uncomfortable truth

It’s not necessarily new yachts or yachts currently being built now or over the next decade. As we have just highlighted, shipyards are spending millions of development money in sustainability, in finding cleaner ways to build yachts. We believe the biggest challenges to the industry are held within the ‘legacy yachts’ on the water now, and how to accelerate the replacement of ‘dirty fuel’ and older yachts which are inherently more damaging to the environment. Finding sensible and multiple beneficial ways where owners are encouraged to replace polluting and environmentally unfriendly yachts must surely have a greater and more immediate impact on moving to a cleaner place than just waiting on gradually ’selling’ new sustainability innovations through the market with organic demands.

Although not directly comparable with the same demands, but surely relevant, the car industry not only had huge consumer push behind for demanding cleaner solutions, but following this wave, governments then jumped to ‘ride that wave’ as well, and incentivised manufactures to build factories to produce cleaner and more sustainable solutions. This was clearly driven by governments, trying to set a road map in achieving European emission targets, but cynically could we also suggest setting their sails on a vote winning strategies. There must be a way to replicate this type of thinking in the leisure yachting sector, But also, let’s be realistic: although yacht ownership has become much more accessible over the years, and clearly people work very hard to achieve their dream of yacht ownership, any suggestion of this approach for governments would of course never win a ‘popular vote’ and nobody is going to support yacht owners to be ‘incentivise’ or even shed a tear for owners who is it was suggested they could be forced to change their yachts to cleaner less polluting models.

There is no silver bullet

The economics and agenda priorities are such that governments, shipyards and the sector, are rightly, highly focused on the future. But there is a bigger win, which of course comes with the biggest challenge. Perhaps, spending some time on developing initiatives which can accelerate the leisure yachting sectors move to a cleaner place, does lay in addressing the ‘legacy yachts’ on the water. Consumers will, of course, lead the demand for the change into the future. But this comes from organic change and can only happen when the desire and personal economic growth allows it.

We don’t have the answer, nor do we think the answer is currently out there – unless you can tell us it is and where to find it. We just feel there must be a ‘community solution’ worth developing and thinking about which could make the biggest and most fundamental change in the sector. And you, what are your thoughts on this?

We at SEA Yacht Group, would like to hear your perspective on this subject. Please leave us a comment or reach out to us via social media.

Author: Malcolm Moss | CEO & Founder of SEA Yacht Group