Words: Jemima Wilson
Since it began in 1991, the annual spectacle of the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) staged in the principality’s storied Port Hercule has been synonymous with wealth, extravagance and a display of gargantuan boats. This year is no exception, with around 118 gleaming superyachts and megayachts showcasing some of the finest (and largest) luxury objects money can buy.
However, this year's show marked an important milestone in yachting history, as the 32nd edition of the event opened with a conference on sustainability for the first time ever, showing that environmental responsibility is very much a priority on the industry's agenda.
Therefore, among the glamorous cocktails and convivial conversations taking place around the port this week, one thing everyone has been talking about is what the superyacht industry is doing to be more sustainable. If you thought sustainability and ethical questions might be uncomfortable points to bring up at one of the most ostentatious events in the world, just spend five minutes with Lürssen's Sales Director Michael Breman, CMO at Feadship Farouk Nefzi, or Sanlorenzo’s Chairman and CEO, Massimo Perotti, and you will soon realise new innovations, technology and initiatives to reduce environmental impact and passion to protect the ocean are very hot topics of discussion - it’s no longer the elephant in the room. “There is a way to go yachting in a sustainable way - and that is the goal,” sums up Perotti.
At the forefront of the quest to find solutions for a more sustainable future, The Super Yacht Life Foundation is a commercially agnostic industry body that’s on a mission to share and celebrate the positive stories, people and projects behind the glitzy world of superyachts. And, setting the tone for this year’s event, the Monaco Yacht Show kicked off with an exclusive, inaugural awards evening on Tuesday evening, organised by The Superyacht Life Foundation in partnership with MYS.
This first-of-its kind gala held in Hauser & Wirth’s spectacular gallery in Monaco on Place du Casino, attended by superyacht owners and VIP guests, recognised three extraordinary individuals who are spearheading positive change in the yachting sector: Superyacht owner, ocean conservation advocate and philanthropist Wendy Schmidt; Superyacht First Officer, and industry DEI proponent Jenny Matthews; and Business strategist turned Director at YachtAid Global Zoran Selakovic.
Each one of these inspiring Honourees proves the superyacht industry does have a heart, and, looking around the show when it opened on Wednesday, examples of individuals and companies who are pushing disruptive, positive change are everywhere - from seeing more efficient hull designs, sustainable build materials and interior finishes and environmentally-friendly construction methodologies, to finding out about initiatives that support community programmes and ocean conservation. All build, design and start-up exhibitors claiming to be working on sustainable development had been rigorously assessed by the Water Revolution Foundation and MYS in order to be accepted into the show's visionary sustainability hub.
Jenny Matthews
Zoran Selakovic
Wendy Schmidt
Sustainability has, of course, been talked about in the industry for years, but now there is a much bigger focus and more urgency, as there is more pressure to go green from a new generation of clients, and changing legislation means the industry has no choice but to produce answers. It also has public opinion to contend with.
“The superyacht industry only contributes to less than 3% of greenhouse gas emissions globally, but we have the added challenge of the widely-held public perception that yachting is an ‘unnecessary’ leisure pursuit for the uber-rich,” commented Sanlorenzo’s Perotti. Of course, we could argue a supercar or even an electric toothbrush (an example that was given during an industry Q&A) isn’t a necessity either. Farouk Nefzi added, “Superyacht owners are often unfairly portrayed as villains…and this just isn’t the case.”
In response, leading builders Sanlorenzo, Lürssen and Feadship and have all confirmed they each currently have a superyacht under construction that will use hydrogen in the form of methanol for power to drastically cut down emissions. Sanlorenzo has partnered with Siemens Energy on building a 50m yacht with a dual fuel engine that will be 70% carbon neutral, and will be presented at Monaco Yacht Show next year.
Lürssen’s Project Cosmos is an enormous 114-metre magayacht due for delivery in 2025 for a pioneering Japanese owner, and it will be 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. While Feadship’s 118.8m megayacht named ‘Project 821’ is shrouded in secrecy, we know it is another impressive green giant set to be delivered next year.
Carinthia VII
Talking of impressive, it would be impossible to cover this year’s Monaco Yacht Show without mentioning the biggest boat in the port, Lürssen’s colossal Carinthia VII - widely regarded as one of the world’s first true megayachts, with exterior lines designed by multi award-winning Tim Heywood - revealed this week following an extensive refit. Interestingly, refit has become a core business for Lürssen, which is able to carry out multiple refits at its yard simultaneously - whether it’s a Lürssen yacht or built by another shipyard.
Robert van Tol, Executive Director of the Water Revolution Foundation explains how a refit can be a more sustainable option than commissioning a yacht from scratch, seeing as you already have a large shell to work with. “After twenty years or so, most yachts undergo a significant refit. Currently, there are many superyachts approaching 20 years of age, and this is an amazing opportunity to adapt and upgrade these boats for the future, inspired by technological advances we are seeing in new builds. It is also easier to incorporate new technology into larger yachts, as there is more space to do so.”
Indeed, during the past year, more than a dozen superyachts and megayachts between 70 and well over 100 meters including Carinthia VII have used the Lürssen facilities for modifications and maintenance works. “A refit is not just about necessary maintenance, it can also be a way to completely transform a yacht,” says Alberto Perrone, Refit Sales Director at Lürssen. “We enjoy the very complex rebuilds and refits, we like it when owners come to us with problems to solve, we want to do the things that other yards steer clear of.”
Having been owned by the late Heidi Horten for 20 years, with only a handful of people ever seeing the interior, I took a look around to see how Carinthia VII has been meticulously refitted for her new owners, who acquired her last year in 2022. The most visible changes include a new 11m pool on the main deck - an extremely comfortable size by land standards, let alone on a yacht - and an 85-square-metre gym, housing a plethora of professional fitness equipment, with an unparalleled view out to sea.
As the original interior was extremely high quality and in excellent condition, the owner decided to retain most of the fixed furniture, as well as the pristine wooden floor, which has become even more beautiful with time. Likewise, the marble in the bathrooms and the boiserie (woodwork) in the main dressing room was still so exceptional that no refinishing was necessary.
If you fancy taking a look for yourself, knowing you’d also be limiting your environmental impact by chartering rather than commissioning the build of your own yacht, she’s yours for just £1.4 Million per week…
Want more yachting content? Check out the vessels you need to see at the Monaco Yacht Show
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