MB92: Superyacht industry has insufficient data on sustainability

leafletsMB92 Group, the world’s leading superyacht refit, repair and maintenance company with facilities in Spain and France, published today its third report that highlights the need for greater regulation and concertation across the superyacht industry and its vast supply chain.

For this new report, MB92 Group surveyed its supply network and consulted key stakeholders from the industry and environmental NGOs for a broad discussion on the path ahead for the luxury yacht sector and its suppliers. Among the topics discussed were the challenges for refit shipyards and suppliers to propose sustainable solutions to clients, considerations when looking at the whole of the superyacht lifecycle such as material sourcing and sustainable manufacturing processes, research and development and innovation from the supply chain. Continue reading “MB92: Superyacht industry has insufficient data on sustainability”

Are lithium-ion batteries safe on yachts – and other vessels?

Yacht on fire - Image credit: Stevie-Iona Vaughan/Facebook
Image credit: Stevie-Iona Vaughan/Facebook

“Mike’s suffering from mild hysteria”, they said. Well, perhaps I have been, yes. The cause of my hysteria? Lithium-ion batteries and fires caused by them! There are believed to have been nearly 70 fires last year alone involving large and superyachts. As more new information on this subject comes to light on a regular basis, I simply have to come back to it time and time again and share what we know. It is a massive and worrying subject and one that is consuming the finest technical minds in the marine world right now. We all need to be aware of the phenomenon for it will not resolve any time soon. As always, I say I understand fully the need to decarbonize and embrace this technology and am not against progress. But it comes at a price and one we need to be prepared to pay. Continue reading “Are lithium-ion batteries safe on yachts – and other vessels?”

Azimut Benetti tops megayacht order book

Photo credit: Azimut Benetti Group
Photo credit: Azimut Benetti Group

Azimut Benetti Group leads the annual ranking of the largest yacht builders. With 168 projects under construction, totalling 5,991 metres in length, Azimut Benetti Group leads the annual ranking of the largest yacht builders known as the Global Order Book by Boat International.

The ranking puts the global yacht builder as the top manufacturer among 189 shipyards, both in number of projects and total length. The gap between first and second place grew sharply over the past year, as the Italian company founded by Paolo Vitelli extended its order portfolio into 2027, recording a production value of more than €1.2 billion for the current year. Continue reading “Azimut Benetti tops megayacht order book”

Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and qualification set for major relaunch

Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and qualification set for major relaunch
Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and qualification set for major relaunch

The past couple of years have presented challenges for the resilient global superyacht industry, not least for those whose role it is to inspect and report on the complex coatings systems. The pandemic and other factors beyond the Registered Marine Coatings Inspector (RMCI) team’s control brought the successful programme to a temporary halt. But recent news from RMCI states that the marine coatings inspector is due for a relaunch.

Continue reading “Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and qualification set for major relaunch”

Carnage at sea in August. What’s happened and why?

Superyacht Hooligan pictured. Photo credit - Nomme Rescue Unit, Tallin
Superyacht Hooligan pictured. Photo credit – Nomme Rescue Unit, Tallin

We hear all the time about exciting breakthroughs in new technology and enhanced safety management systems designed to keep lives and assets safe at sea. We read in various reports that, in general, the number of serious incidents and accidents is falling year on year, leading to my use of the phrase ‘carnage at sea’. So, what on earth went wrong in August? It was carnage at sea! If you can help me to make sense of it all, please do so! Continue reading “Carnage at sea in August. What’s happened and why?”

Serious violations led to boatyard fire that destroyed superyacht

Boatyard fire destroyed superyacht says report

The company operating Hinckley Yacht Services (Portsmouth, US) has been fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a massive fire in December that destroyed a superyacht and a second boat on the property. The initial fines totalled more than $56,000, but these have since been reduced to around $31,000.

OSHA says employees were exposed to fire hazards while working in an enclosed work area. That enclosed area was under the hull of a boat surrounded by hay bales stacked three-high, and the employees had not been provided with effective information and training on the hazardous chemicals they were using (flammable liquids, which ultimately ignited). Continue reading “Serious violations led to boatyard fire that destroyed superyacht”

Marine surveyors Van Ameyde McAuslands warn seized yachts must be decommissioned to mitigate safety and environmental risks

Albert Weatherill, MD of Van Ameyde McAuslands and IIMS member
Albert Weatherill, MD of Van Ameyde McAuslands and IIMS member

Seized maritime assets could pose a “significant risk” to ports, harbours and marinas if there is no requirement to ensure mega yachts detained under sanction rules are properly maintained, made safe, or deactivated, according to experienced marine surveyor, Albert Weatherill, managing director of Van Ameyde McAuslands and a long-standing IIMS member.

Safety concerns have been raised by Van Ameyde McAuslands, a global firm of marine surveyors and engineering consultants, following the seizure of a number of high-profile mega yachts thought to be owned by Russian oligarchs, Continue reading “Marine surveyors Van Ameyde McAuslands warn seized yachts must be decommissioned to mitigate safety and environmental risks”

MB92 report challenges the superyacht industry to become sustainable

MB92 report challenges the superyacht industry to become sustainable
MB92 report challenges the superyacht industry to become sustainable

The superyacht industry is running out of time to become sustainable, a new report from MB92 finds. If it wants the oceans to survive.

“The cost of inaction is evident and will be extremely dire for our oceans and industry,” said Pepe García-Aubert, president and CEO of the MB92 Group. “However, I am convinced that through a collaborative approach, our industry can rise to the challenge and achieve our goal of a sustainable future for superyachting.” Continue reading “MB92 report challenges the superyacht industry to become sustainable”

Superyacht builders invest in ocean conservation

A group of shipyards has committed to reinvesting in ocean conservation and regeneration and is urging others to join them.
A group of shipyards has committed to reinvesting in ocean conservation and regeneration and is urging others to join them.

A group of shipyards has committed to reinvesting in ocean conservation and regeneration and is urging others to join them.

Abeking & Rasmussen, Ameryachts, Baglietto, Feadship, Gulf Craft, Heesen Yachts, Horizon Yachts, Lürssen Yachts, Oceanco, Royal Huisman, Sanlorenzo, Silveryachts, Southern Wind, Tankoa, Turquoise Yachts and Vitters are the first builders so far to agree to reinvest based on the gross tonnage (GT) of yachts they deliver. Continue reading “Superyacht builders invest in ocean conservation”

Superyachts must do more to raise on-board safety says Lloyd’s Register

Lloyd's Register logoLloyd’s Register, the world’s largest yacht classification society, is calling on the industry to step up enforcement of superyachts on-board safety at sea rules.

“The number one priority of any yacht should be to provide a quality service, but with safety being one of the most dominant values,” said Thomas Zeferer, manager of marine training services for Northern Europe at Lloyd’s Register.

“A culture of behaviour-based safety must start from the top (and) filter down to the guests. Setting the right example means providing quality service, but also telling guests when they are doing something that is fundamentally unsafe.” Continue reading “Superyachts must do more to raise on-board safety says Lloyd’s Register”

Volvo to unveil new IMO III solution at Cannes Yachting Festival

Volvo set to unveil new IMO III solution for large yachts at Cannes Yachting Festival
Volvo set to unveil new IMO III solution for large yachts at Cannes Yachting Festival

Since January 2021, the IMO III nitrogen oxides (NOx) legislation that already applies to commercial vessels has been extended to marine leisure vessels above 24m load line length, which navigate in US waters as well as the North and Baltic Seas. Providing another step towards increased sustainability in the industry, the 2021 legislation is aimed at reducing emissions. To comply, affected yachts now need to be fitted with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) after-treatment system. This has led Volvo Penta to work on an optimized solution for its yacht customers both for IPS and traditional inboard shaft installations. Continue reading “Volvo to unveil new IMO III solution at Cannes Yachting Festival”

Ensuring the insurers

A yacht in mediterreanThe lockdowns of the past 18 months or so have given us all time to think and readjust our priorities. Like never before yacht owners and potential purchasers have been giving thought to their work-life balance, the risks of travelling and where in the world can a vacation actually take place? All of this has had a knock-on effect on the market, making yacht insurers’ lives busier than expected.

Mike Wimbridge, managing director, Pantaenius told Superyacht Investor: “I think in the chain of insurance buying people have had a little more time to reflect, rather than maybe just renew year-on-year. Throw into that the fact that some insurance markets are looking at what they write and possibly increasing prices and changing terms and conditions for risks they’re less concerned about.” Wimbridge is clear he is not talking about “bad risks”, but said some underwriters are looking at their portfolios.

Continue reading “Ensuring the insurers”

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