The Monaco Yachting Cluster recently gathered the industry’s leading figures at the annual Spring Pop-Up hosted at the Yacht Club de Monaco, placing sustainability at the heart of discussions. Featuring yacht visits, three themed round tables, and the presence of newly appointed vice-presidents Arthur Bohr (Monaco Marine) and Olivier Lavagna (SEPM), the event underscored a unified commitment to change.
Cross-Sector Inspiration
Moderated by Vincent Huens de Brouwer, the first round table explored sustainable innovations in the cruise and commercial shipping sectors — a call for the yachting world to look beyond itself.
Vianney Vautier of Orient Express (Accor Group) presented the world’s largest sailing ship, the Orient Express Silenseas, with rigid sails, 6,000 sensors, and a digital twin used to optimize routes and energy use. “The best fuel is the one you don’t burn,” he emphasized.
Victor Gibon from JIFMAR Group showcased Canopée, a cargo vessel transporting Ariane 6 rocket components, with a hybrid sail-propulsion system reducing fuel consumption by up to 50% under optimal conditions.
Victor Collazos from V.ERDE contextualized regulatory shifts: “Yachting represents only 0.3% of global maritime emissions, but regulation is coming. The EU now enforces energy grading (A to E) for vessels.”
Listening to Yacht Owners
Naval architect Espen Øino moderated the second panel, which turned the spotlight on owners.
Laurent Reiss, owner of M/Y Asteria, stressed designing yachts fit for remote areas: “We wanted to show the world to our children. Autonomy and robustness were key.”
Frank Binder (M/Y XEIA) criticized overly standardized designs, advocating for spaces truly adapted to the sea. Heigo Paartalu, CEO of YachtWay, called for maximum modularity: “Every square meter must serve multiple purposes.”
A key concern for all? Crew management. High turnover and ineffective rotation systems often disrupt operations. “Rotations may suit crew but not the owner,” said Reiss.
Paartalu also introduced YachtWay, a platform that simplifies yacht selection from 1,800 brands using customizable filters and immersive 3D tours.
Sustainable Refit: A Practical Path Forward
In the final roundtable led by David Seal, experts addressed actionable ways to green the existing fleet.
Robin Savigny of SMEG/SMART+ highlighted how energy tracking alone led to 24% energy savings — translating to €48,000 per year on a 60m yacht.
Arthur Bohr noted that 70% of the global fleet is over a decade old: “Each yacht deserves a tailored transition plan.” From replacing halogen bulbs to updating AC systems and installing battery buffers, solutions are within reach. “Swapping 520 halogen lights for LEDs on a 50m yacht can save up to 57,000 liters of fuel annually.”
Natalie Quévert from the SEA Index® emphasized the importance of data: “Our CO₂ certification ranks yachts by energy intensity, giving owners a roadmap for action.” Surprisingly, older well-designed yachts can outperform some newer, hybrid vessels in emissions.
Bohr shared a revealing anecdote: “One owner of a 70m yacht faced pushback from his grandchildren—they refused to come aboard due to its environmental impact.”
AI and real-time diagnostics were also praised as tools for precise consumption mapping. As Savigny concluded, “You can’t improve what you don’t measure.”
Innovation on Display
Sixteen yachts ranging from 12 to 52 meters were docked at YCM Marina for exclusive viewings, presented by leading Cluster members like Edmiston, Ocean Independence, Sanlorenzo, and BehneMar. The showcase reflected the market’s vitality — and the varying stages of sustainability across models.
A Collective Drive for Sustainable Growth
With nearly 100 member companies spanning the full value chain, the Monaco Yachting Cluster is emerging as a pivotal player in the industry’s green transition. Its mission is clear: foster innovation, amplify collaboration, and root yachting in a sustainable economic model.
In 2022, Monaco’s yachting sector generated €567 million in revenue — 3% of the Principality’s total — with 411 companies and 1,429 onshore jobs. The message from this year’s Spring Pop-Up? The future of yachting must be clean, collaborative, and conscious.
