Stand the boat is increasingly a houseboat, the route to follow is that of environmental sustainability: the protection of the marine heritage. The nautical world has understood this well, and in the face of record increases in production (with Italian shipyards churning out almost 50 percent of world orders for superyachts), it cannot lose sight of demand: what is the impact of boats on the sea?
Boating, record production and environmental sustainability?
According to the IMO (International Maritime Organization), shipping worldwide accounts for 1.7 percent of total GHG (Greenhouse Gases, or greenhouse gas) emissions. And although only 0.22 percent is attributable to boating, thinking green is no longer an option. The shipyards and the entire supply chain of its industry are working to align with the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the EU Green Deal, the European Green Pact which aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
How green boats are
First of all, from the point of view of production: Ferretti Group, for example, has reduced energy consumption in the construction phases by 20 percent a year. All shipyards are choosing natural, sustainable, recycled and recyclable materials for the preparation of the interiors and finishes. And if on the one hand the “small boating” sector offers motorboats with electric propulsion, for large boats there is an increasingly rapid move towards hybrid engines, with hulls that improve performance.
The primary goals are: reduce the weight of the boats, use low-polluting engines and contain consumption. But also, as far as structures and fittings are concerned, to use carbon fibre, which is lighter but more expensive, instead of fibreglass, a material which is difficult to dispose of.
The challenge of the lightness of Azimut
The big Italian nautical shipyards are the driving forces in this race for sustainability, manufacturers of boats of various lengths, with investments in research and decarbonisation.
“My father had developed sensitivity towards the environment in very remote times,” he recalls Giovanna Vitelli, President of Azimut Yachts, founded by Paolo Vitelli in 1969 and part of Azimut|Benetti, the group that produces motor boats from 13 to 38 meters and is a leader in the superyacht sector. «In 2006 he proposed the first electric Benetti Diesel, it cut consumption by 10 percent. And he fought for a long time to develop carbon production internally as an alternative construction material for superstructures. Basically, we took the pure material as used by the sports car and aeronautical industries and adapted it to our infusion process. The aim was not speed but lightness, to reduce consumption».
Entrepreneurial investments that have traced an important route
“Everyone is making big announcements today, but it is important to receive certifications of the results achieved. Recently for the sea trials of some boats we relied on Lloyd’s (Lloyd’s Register of Shipping) to get concrete data». Azimut has also created the Low Emission Yacht. It is a family of boats that guarantee a reduction in fuel consumption – and consequently CO2 emissions – of 20 to 30 percent compared to others of the same weight (as in the S7 model, a 22-metre with triple Volvo propulsion Penta, very efficient in terms of sustainability).
The new “creature” is called Seadeck (will see the light in January 2024) and contains the new achievements in terms of research and sustainable innovations. «A boat for the family that seeks close contact with the sea, which instead of teak chooses light and natural materials such as cork, ancient and Mediterranean, capable of spontaneous regeneration. Or recycled materials such as carpeting made from plastic collected from the sea. And also screens to reduce the sun’s heat, solar panels to store energy for on-board services and to power refrigerators and air conditioning in a green way» explains proudly Vitelli, who will be among the speakers at the One Ocean Blue Economy Summit in Milan.
Cantieri Sanlorenzo: natural or recycled materials
Another Italian shipyard that has made research its banner is Sanlorenzo. Among the first to have brought on board the stylistic codes of homes and innovations such as the terraces that open onto the sides of the boats, but also to have chosen to collaborate with the great names in architecture such as Piero Lissoni and Patricia Urquiola. The Spanish architect designed the interiors of the SD90 model using natural or recycled materials such as paper and glass.
Today though the new Sanlorenzo motto is “Road to 2030”i.e. the introduction of technologies aimed at reducing the environmental impact also thanks to partnerships with energy companies.
«It is essential to form partnerships, it is unthinkable to move effectively alone» he confirms Carla Demaria, Executive Director of Sanlorenzo and CEO of Bluegameanother brand of the group.
Azimut S7, one of the Low Emission Yacht boats, with low CO2 emissions
Methanol energy for sustainable boating
«We believe in the use of hydrogen for the future of boating». For this reason, the Ligurian shipyard has signed an agreement with Siemens Energy for the integration of fuel cells powered by hydrogen obtained from methanol, which will be applied on a 50-metre superyacht (delivery expected in 2024).
«A use that is already a reality» explains Demaria: «Siemens Energy has been using hydrogen on submarines for more than 30 years. And on our 50m it will be used for various things. For on-board services (not yet for propulsion), to provide energy when the boat is at anchor, which accounts for 90 percent of a boat’s use at sea (the remaining 10 percent is navigation).’ Another deal is with Rolls-Royce for the installation of hydrogen engines obtained from methanol.
Special skates
But the reduction of the environmental impact is also required in the sporting arena: «Bluegame was selected by American Magic, a boat competing in theAmerica’s Cup 2024 in Barcelona, for the design and construction of the first hydrogen-powered support boat for regattas and for the use of foils, special skids on which the boat during navigation is lifted to reduce friction on the water and increase speed. Anything to satisfy the strict green requirements required by the event» concludes Demaria.
Cantieri Baglietto: green hydrogen
The historic Baglietto shipyard is also oriented in this direction, which uses green hydrogen as a source of energy. Technology that the shipyard is adopting with the collaboration of six partners of international importance and with RINA, the certifying body of all project phases. It is also important to team up according to Confindustria Nautica, a trade association that brings together the major players in the Italian nautical industry.
«In 2019, a Sustainability Committee was formed for boats over 24 meters, chaired by Barbara Amerio of the Permare shipyard. This accompanies the strategies adopted by our companies for about a decade to achieve true decarbonisation even before 2030″ he confirms Marina Stella, General Director of Confindustria Nautica.
«They concern innovative design materials, the disposal of the boat at the end of the cycle and involve collaboration with companies that have fewer possibilities in terms of research and innovation. In practice, a cultural revolution is taking place, a change in entrepreneurial management».
A dialogue between Italian companies involving national and international university research centres. «We share our work with EBI (European Boating Industry Association, the federation that brings together nautical companies throughout Europe) and with ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations, the association that has represented the global marine industry since 1966). To make everyone increasingly responsible and aware of the environmental impact, we now also have a real document, the Climate Change Declaration, which we have distributed to all Italian companies”. The green course is plotted.
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