The yachting sector is one that is constantly welcoming different innovations. This year, sustainable innovation is what’s on the menu. From Ferreti’s Custom Line’s first unit made entirely out of aluminium to new sustainability reporting guidelines for the industry, the sector is moving fast towards sustainable standards and practices.
The new Navetta 50: Aluminium is the new steel
The Ferreti Group, a world leader in the design, construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels has announced a new addition to its Custom Line brand: the new Navetta 50. With an LOA of 49.90 metres, it will be the line´s first unit to be constructed entirely in aluminium instead of steel, which weighs three times as much. When compared to a similar steel-built yacht in terms of weight and length, this will mean a cut in consumption of about 10-15%.
The construction work for the Custom Line´s new flagship is due to be finished in summer 2024.
The 37th America’s Cup: A testing ground for sustainable fuels
The 37th America’s Cup, which will be hosted in Barcelona, will require for the first time in its protocol that each challenging team builds and operates two hydrogen-powered foiling chase boats of a minimum length of 10 metres, a maximum speed of 50 knots, and a range of 180 miles.
Among the green technology innovations that stand out so far, we find that of NYYC American Magic, which signed an agreement with Bluegame, a Sanlorenzo Group brand, for the design and construction of the team hydrogen-powered chase boat. Thanks to an exceptional team with previous design experience of the America’s Cup, Bluegame achieved the best possible technique in structures and composite, foil design, and software management.
Bare hull vs Bulbous bow
Like many others, the marine industry aspires to reduce its emissions and maximizing the efficiency of hull design plays a significant role in it. A study by Bray Yacht Design and Research found that the bulbous bow, more commonly used in larger and commercial vessels, could be a good alternative to the bare hull. This is due to its contribution to resistance reduction and thus, to considerable fuel savings, carbon footprint reduction, flatter wave train, and lower underwater noise signature.
New sustainability guidelines for the industry
The Center for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) has partnered with the Water Revolution Foundation (WRF) to create the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. These new guidelines, which align with the Global Reporting Initiative´s Guidelines, United Nations´ Sustainable Development Goals and EU legislative directives on Sustainability Reporting, provide a specialised Sustainability Assessment Framework for the superyacht industry. An online version of the guidelines can be accessed, which allows professionals to receive feedback on their status while preparing for the official report.
With all this, the yachting sector has shown that it is not all about luxury or, in the case of the America’s Cup, about racing, but that it is committed to finding sustainable solutions for sailing both for pleasure and for sports reasons.
