The superyachting industry is renowned for being a leader in innovation, fine craftsmanship, state of the art technology and bespoke design.
Today, the industry is collectively making progress in finding solutions for a more sustainable future, considering not only fossil-free options for power and propulsion but also sustainable build materials and interior finishes, more efficient hull designs, and more sustainable construction methodologies that reduce waste and draw on renewable energy.
With a growing demand for green technology from a new generation of consumer, key initiatives now also extend beyond the technology to investment in and support of life-cycle assessment tools, community programmes and conservation of the oceans. However, like any industry, change comes with new learnings, new tools and at a cost; time is a necessity in order to implement all these new developments.
Innovative Technology
Passionate owners with the resources to invest in innovative technologies have always been a cornerstone of superyachting, and their pioneering approach has transformed not just superyachting but has played a key role in the development of sustainable solutions for the entire maritime industry.
Diesel-electric and hybrid yachts have long been a reality and are rapidly increasing in popularity, and next will be a new generation of pioneering hydrogen-powered yachts that are really looking to make waves in the superyachting industry. The drive toward zero emissions is well underway, and while there are several steps still to make before yachts (or any kind of maritime vessel) can be entirely emission-free, yachting is taking a lead in the marine sector.
Indeed, it’s a course that superyachting has been charting for a quarter of a century or more, and which is currently accelerating at an exciting pace.
The past 30 years is full of examples of innovative projects driven by forward-thinking owners, including:
– Cyclos III, a 42.3 metre sailing yacht delivered in 1990, which featured a bank of batteries that could power the yacht’s hotel systems for 18 hours – a remarkably advanced concept for her time. She has been cited as the inspiration for Ethereal (q.v.)
– Limitless, the 96-metre yacht launched in 1997 for owner Leslie Wexner, which was one of the first yachts to feature a diesel-electric drivetrain
– Ice (ex-Air) delivered in 2005 featured electric azimuthing propellers for the first time on a yacht, with power coming not from diesel engines directly driving propeller shafts but with generators powering the electric pods
– The mid- to late-2000s saw the launch of yacht models such as the 23-metre Mochi Long Range 23 and similarly sized Magellano 74, which heralded the dawn of true hybrid yachts (with power modes that included diesel, diesel electric, and pure electric using batteries) for a new breed of owner
– Ethereal, the iconic 58-metre sailing superyacht delivered to Sun Microsystems founder Bill Joy in 2009, which was not only a ground-breaking hybrid superyacht with an extensive battery pack, but was also designed for fuel cells, into which Joy invested millions to develop and advance the nascent technology
– Project Cosmos, the 114-metre yacht due for delivery in 2025 for a pioneering Japanese owner, completes the Ethereal cycle, being one of the first yachts to feature hydrogen-powered fuel cells that will deliver 1,000 miles of emission-free cruising or up to 15 days at anchor with zero emissions as part of its power and propulsion systems
– The 83.5-metre Savannah, delivered in 2015, which is considered a pioneer hybrid motor yacht with just a single engine, counter-rotating propellers, three generators, and one megawatt of batteries
– The 107-metre Black Pearl, which not only features hybrid systems and a modern take on square-rigger sails but also uses hydrogeneration to reclaim energy while under sail
– Baltic Yachts’ Pink Gin Verde sailing yacht, which uses sustainable materials in its construction including flax in the hull and recycled plastic in the bulkheads. It also features cork decking, solar glass and hydrogeneration, as well as zero-emission electric propulsion motors
Superyacht builders Lürssen, Feadship and Sanlorenzo have confirmed they each have a superyacht under construction that will use hydrogen in the form of methanol for power; engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has committed to developing multi-fuel and methanol-powered engines for superyachts and has entered partnerships with several shipyards, including those mentioned above and others like Turquoise Yachts, for hydrogen and hybrid solutions; and today superyachts are already starting to consider using second generation renewable diesel in the form of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) rather than conventional fossil diesel.
“In spite of what many people think, the superyacht industry has in fact been highly active in exploring and developing more advanced and more sustainable solutions for many years,”
“There is still a long way to go, but the superyacht industry is taking an increasingly proactive stance and there are numerous examples across the superyacht fleet of yacht builders and yacht owners alike making real strides toward the future, and not just in the past couple of years but stretching back to when this industry was truly in its infancy. The owners and the industry itself have a vested interest in ensuring their own survival by leading the energy transition, and right now we are seeing the fruits of the seeds that have been sowed over the past 30 or more years.” says Dilan Sarac, Executive Director at The Superyacht Life Foundation.
Eco-interiors
Builders, designers and owners alike are also taking steps to improve the footprint of yacht interiors and finishes, and sustainable luxury is rapidly gathering pace as a new trend in superyacht design. The use of repurposed wood, recycled plastic materials, and more commonly available, sustainably harvested woods – which can be made into exquisite carpets, wall coverings, cabinetry or used for flooring – are just some examples of the materials which are now used more frequently in yacht interiors by manufacturers and designers.
There is a growing interest in vegan leather, and in using responsibly sourced and produced cottons and fabrics for soft furnishings. Owners are also increasingly making these yachts a home away from home and designing them according to their usage with a “less is more” approach, classic and clean with increased open spaces. Some design studios are even investing in team members whose role is primarily to source and test sustainable and renewable materials for interior finishes.
A new wave for yachting
There are other trends that are also having a tangential impact on superyachting’s footprint without negating the unique experiences that a superyacht can offer.
Sailing yachts:
The popularity of the sailing yacht has been invigorated with benefits including quieter cruising and less consumption of fuel – indeed, a sailing yacht offers almost unlimited low-emission range. The sailing yacht also offers a natural step toward a fossil-reduced future, with the yacht primarily using the wind for propulsion as well as drawing power from a bank of batteries or other non-combustion solution, and being able to reclaim energy while sailing through hydrogeneration.
Giving Back:
The industry is also taking steps to actively contribute to environmental conservation initiatives worldwide. These efforts include investing money into ocean conservation programmes from initiatives to monitor migratory routes of marine mammals to interactions with wildlife and marine flora that enhance education and awareness of the need for action.
The Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) is one example, Water Revolution Foundation’s first endorsed ocean conservation project aimed at protecting our precious seas and the species living within. The premise of IMMA is simple: the ocean is vast, and our resources are limited. It aims to support the restoration of the balance of life in the ocean through the identification of selected areas that are important to marine mammals and show potential to be managed for conservation.
There are also several already proven initiatives that both get yachts, owners and crews involved in ongoing citizen science projects and also match superyachts up with scientists to offer them a platform for research into everything from climate change to overfishing to plastic pollution and more besides.
The crew factor:
Modern crews are also becoming active defenders of the ocean and fervent supporters of sustainable practices. From reducing or eliminating single-use plastics on board to overseeing the installation of garbage management and water treatment systems on board, and from engaging in community outreach projects and disaster relief to beach clean-ups, crews are increasingly becoming ambassadors for the good that superyachts can do for remote communities and for those who are affected by marine pollution. The collective crew conscience even extends to considering eco-friendly uniforms, interior supplies and cleaning products.
For more information visit: https://thesuperyachtlife.com/
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