Superyachts and sustainability: words from Tankoa, Boero, and Rina

Genoa - The second edition of the Sea You event at Marina Genova, in addition to being a meeting place for professionals and operators, was an opportunity to discuss the hot topic of the moment, even in the large-scale yachting industry: sustainability. A distinguished panel of speakers highlighted the need for a holistic approach to the topic, bringing together all the stakeholders and processes underpinning the yachting industry.

In opening the meeting, Giuseppe Pappalardo, CEO of Marina Genova, was visibly pleased with Sea You's return (especially as it marks the company's fifteenth anniversary), reiterating the important role marinas play in bringing together expertise "on the ground."

Andrea Parodi, technical director of Tankoa Yachts, the company's neighbor, offered a broad overview of hybrid propulsion systems, starting, of course, with those used on boats already delivered by the Genoese shipyard, particularly the 50-meter Bintador from 2019, the first megayacht built with systems used in the space industry.

The same construction philosophy and hybrid propulsion also apply to a second 50-metre vessel designed by Tankoa, the Kinda, which is currently undergoing a series of sea trials. after the launch which took place a month ago in GenoaThis type of propulsion, Parodi explained, not only reduces fuel consumption but also increases navigation comfort, as well as allowing access to some marine protected areas.

Among the future solutions Tankoa is carefully considering are kites and photovoltaics, not to mention all the next-generation fuels, of course. "Hydrogen may not yet be suitable for a 50-meter superyacht that needs to reach certain speeds, but it remains a highly interesting option, which we are evaluating," Parodi concluded.

Andrea Cavalleroni, Yachting Business Developer at Boero YachtCoatings, a company that is actively committed to sustainability through various projects, delivered a particularly lively speech. First, the paint and varnish manufacturer will publish its first sustainability report this year, he revealed, noting its ongoing collaboration with the Water Revolution Foundation on a project on product life cycles and their environmental impact, particularly for antifouling paints. "The goal is to eliminate biocides. We are collaborating with several universities and research centers and will soon share the results."

As regards VOCs (volatile organic compounds), Boero YachtCoatings has already achieved flattering results, reducing them by 11% in antifouling products for superyachts, while the recent launch of a line of products such as water-based primers and antifoulings is gaining increasing ground in the smaller boat segment.

With Merijn de Waard, founder of Superyacht Times, the focus has shifted to artificial intelligence and its applications in the nautical field, specifically in the field of "infotainment," i.e., onboard information and entertainment services. The Dutch publishing group, together with a local partner, has developed Yacht Eye, an information and content delivery system for both superyacht owners, crew, and guests, providing real-time updates on aspects such as the current itinerary or, for example, the leisure options (restaurants, shops, sightseeing excursions, etc.) available on land in the ports of call.

The call for a change in mindset came from Giuseppe Zagaria, Marine Technical Director at RINA, who praised the "courage" with which the nautical industry approaches the topic of sustainability. "To achieve concrete results, however, the involvement of the entire supply chain is necessary. New fuels, such as hydrogen, methanol, or ammonia, are good, even if we don't yet know many of them well, but we need to make the solutions scalable to make them viable from an investment perspective," Zagaria stated.

The Rina manager then underlined how international organizations, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union, often have divergent views on certain environmental issues, for example on the "classification" of hydrogen itself.

In closing, Maurizio Capitani, vice president of Italian Yacht Masters, called for a joint position from captains, owners, companies, and nautical professionals in general to promote environmentally responsible choices. Capitani called for stricter regulations governing boat access to marine protected areas and proposed making it mandatory for marinas to provide yachts with free onshore sewer connections.

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