How MYS is Supporting the Eco-Friendly Evolution of Yachting

Superyachts have always remained in a strong starting position, already travelling far shorter distances, and burning cleaner fuel than trading vessels or passenger ships. With the health of the ocean being intrinsic to the growth of the yachting industry, commercial yacht owners, builders and designers are exploring green shipbuilding avenues and operating practices whilst reducing any and all negative environmental impacts. However, it is evident that there is still a long way to go, and there is still room for improvement.

Over the past two decades, the Monaco Yacht Show has contributed to this very sentiment. Through the maintenance and preservation of a number of environmental initiatives, many of which aiding vital scientific research regarding our oceans, the show has quickly established itself as one of the leaders in sustainability. 

It is becoming increasingly clear that the superyacht industry is adapting to a “new face” of clientele, one that has become highly eco-conscious, with a dramatic shift in priority from aestheticism to responsibility and reputation, having a major impact on the sector as a whole.

In light of this, the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show will see the unveiling of its first ever Sustainability Hub – a new exhibition area that will welcome companies and brands that specialise in revolutionary technology designed to reduce superyachts’ impact on the environment.

The hub, set to be located on 200m² in Darse Sud, will act as a networking space to provide innovative solutions for companies who have eco-conscious technology in mind, as well as an opportunity for budding start-ups working on sustainable nautical equipment to present their research to the yachting world.

“When the MYS joined the Carbon Neutral programme in 2005, we were already hell-bent on raising environmental awareness. The MYS later joined the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2010 to support their eco-friendly projects. Might I remind you that the yachting industry had barely started taking on a “green attitude” at the time,” says Gaëlle Tallarida.

“Our pioneering approach to sustainability in organising the show, which began 18 years ago, now extends to a new dedicated exhibition at the MYS. The MYS constitutes one of the industry’s major voices; a share of social responsibility that we fully assume today.”

The Monaco Yacht Show has also announced its collaboration with the Water Revolution Foundation in order to select companies whose morals and values align and are eligible for the Sustainability Hub. 

In order to ensure communication surrounding sustainability is done constructively, the Water Revolution Foundation has collaborated closely with the Goodvertising Agency and their head of sustainability, Thomas Kolster, to create sustainability communications guidelines.

The guidelines aim to help the yachting sector communicate more effectively about their sustainability effort, with a strong focus on key areas whilst encouraging internal colleagues to become involved, sharing progress in visual ways and choosing your media wisely, explore how to hone in on the impact, attempt to explain each issue with transparency and connect with your audience emotionally, and above all to ensure that your messaging is clear and inclusive. 

“We are making every effort to find, verify, promote, and reward sustainable solutions, whilst encouraging their use and bringing about much needed change.” adds Robert Van Tol, Executive Director of the Water Revolution Foundation.

The Hub was created as part of the Monaco Yacht Show's eco-friendly approach, which was initiated in 2005. The show thereby serves as a tool to raise awareness on environmental issues within the Monegasque and international yachting community.

Other foundations working towards greener solutions include The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which has supported hundreds of significant environmental projects over the years, progressing planetary health for current and future generations. The foundation focuses on awareness-raising activities with professionals within yachting, including Beyond Plastic Med, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, and the Because The Ocean Initiative, all of which are dedicated to tackling pollutants such as microplastics, protecting sealife with symbiotic relationships to the ocean, and challenging the relationship between our oceans and climate change.

In terms of real life practices being implemented in the industry, hybrid-electric solutions are a favoured solution for improving yacht sustainability. Not only does running on electric power significantly reduce underwater emissions, but it also eliminates noise from generators, ensuring a quieter ride for both guests and marine life, which can be harmed and disoriented by underwater radiated noise from engines. Hybrid-electric power also improves ship manoeuvrability, limiting the time and emissions expended when coming into harbours and ports.

But it’s not just propulsion that’s having an impact, other low carbon technologies that have already been integrated onboard yachts include kite sails and solar panels. Kite sails enable yachts to travel using wind power, a carbon-free energy source. 

This technology can be complemented by a low resistance hull to improve energy efficiency and supplemented by green propulsion for non-sailing days. Solar panels offer similar advantages when mixed with electric propulsion, providing a yachting experience with limited noise, emissions, and maintenance.

Yacht Club de Monaco introduced the Solar & Energy Boat Challenge, the world’s only event dedicated to innovation and sustainability in the boating industry, along with the installation of electric boat charging points at Yacht Club de Monaco and a wide range of sustainable materials used at its marina, all with the aim of reducing unnecessary waste and energy expenditure.

Shipyards can also make a big impact on yachts’ green credentials by building ships with organically produced and recycled materials, and through sustainable construction processes. By sourcing wood from sustainably certified forests, and using recycled materials such as aluminium, steel, and natural composites, ships can minimise waste and carbon output. Using clean energy onsite to power construction tools can further ensure a green beginning to the yacht life cycle. 

Shipyards like Feadship use ‘district heating’, a combination of renewable and surplus heat. In addition, the roof of the main building is covered in 2,262 solar panels generating an estimated 550,000 kWh of energy annually. 

Other shipyards like Oceanco have also installed solar panels on the rooftop of their outfitting facilities in Alblasserdam which will cover up to 10% of the yearly energy consumption for the building.

Yacht Club de Monaco has also overseen the planning and construction of a Zero Emission Committee Boat Seabus. With designs first unveiled in 2019, the 11.5-metre catamaran was built with aluminium - due to its ability to be recycled - and was designed by Espen Øino with engineering by Dario Calzavara. Carrying up to 12 passengers, this eco-friendly committee boat is intended to follow all regattas organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco, but will also be used for whale watching excursions in the Principality. 

Deciding to replace the fuel used on its vessels by a certified 100% sustainable energy source, this way, no energy is lost, and everything is converted with this initiative that can reduce carbon impact by 85%.

At the other end of the asset life cycle, yacht owners need to find sustainable ways of dismantling out-of-service vessels. In compliance with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, yachts over 500 GT, like other vessels, must have an inventory of hazardous materials (IHM) onboard and a ship recycling plan (SRP) established.

For yacht owners and shipyards, this means ensuring ships are dismantled in line with regulations and hazardous materials are safely disposed of without damaging the environment. Many superyacht owners also regularly collect data for environmental organisations. 

All signs appear to point towards a brighter, more sustainable future not only for superyachts, but for our oceans too.

The Monaco Yacht Show takes place from the 28th of September to the 1st of October.