Yacht owners, designers and builders are focused on a more sustainable future for the sector, with ambitious targets in place for 2050. There are also advances in digital technology to support the operation of these vessels and new standards for safety and environmental protection. To harness the opportunities available and succeed in its sustainability targets, the industry needs to focus on several areas, some of which are unchartered waters.
“Yachts made from steel or aluminum and over around 40 meters (131 feet) are different from traditional production and series boats,” comments Fiorenzo Spadoni, Global Yacht Co-ordinator for RINA. The size of these custom yachts means they must comply with a different set of regulations and often have cutting-edge and innovative technologies onboard. This requires specialist support and understanding of market requirements.”
Building yachts over 40 meters (131 feet) requires not only technical expertise, but also an understanding of processes and production timing for these customized vessels. Training programs with major Flag Administrations can lead to stronger relationships with inspectors and a sound understanding of the latest procedures and codes, which can help speed up the flagging of vessels.
Digital tools offer a more efficient way to collaborate during design phases. By uploading 3D models or 2D drawings onto a digital platform, designers and builders can create a “digital twin” of their yacht. This not only significantly cuts down on the time and costs involved in the design and approval process, but the digital twin can also be updated throughout the lifetime of the yacht with details of any modifications and logging of metadata, such as technical details of the system and brands utilized.
The latest digital tools can help make life easier for clients, captains and management companies. Real-time performance management, paperless electronic logbooks and inventory of hazardous materials maintenance tools can help digitize and mitigate the risk of human error for onboard administration tasks. Fleet optimization software can collect data on ship performance and provide operators with the information they need to make strategic adjustments to operations. This can ensure efficiencies and costs are optimized and emissions lowered.
Management software can also be used to integrate all aspects of ship management. It can incorporate security, procurement management, crewing and HSQE modules to provide deeper insights into operations and enable effective monitoring, control and cost savings. Additionally, it can integrate hazardous materials maintenance software and fleet efficiency optimization tools into a single, powerful tool to provide management companies with complete control of every aspect of a vessel
As digital transformation increasingly becomes the norm, the challenge of cybersecurity becomes more pressing. With operational and personal data in digital form, security is essential. In response to this need, RINA has released the additional class notation “Cyber Resilience,” which considers the protection of data from both an operational technology and information technology point of view. RINA’s cyber experts are a new and essential part of services to the superyacht sector.
To ensure the safety and comfort of modern superyachts, a new range of certification and other services have been designed to support their design and operation. The COMFORT LARGE YACHT & DOLPHIN notations reflect the level of noise and vibration onboard, and the noise radiated into the water. Noise and vibration assessments can assist with both measurement and prediction of levels to ensure comfort is factored into the design of large, custom projects.
The yachting sector is in need of support from a variety of experts. Decarbonization is not only the responsibility of yachting, or even the marine industry as a whole. It requires collaboration and a global, multi-sector approach, transferring knowledge, technology, and expertise from sectors such as mobility, energy, infrastructure, space and defense.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to decarbonization, and a multifaceted approach is needed. This means considering technology, fuels, infrastructure and digitalization. One important step that can be taken today is to make use of digital tools to optimize ship performance and operational processes. However, we also need to develop expertise in alternative fuels and the technology to support them, in order to meet our decarbonization targets.
As alternative fuels become more popular, companies are beginning to offer consulting services to help yacht owners and designers navigate the new landscape. RINA Marine Consulting is one such company, providing expertise from both an engineering and design standpoint. In addition, RINA Marine Consulting provides rules and guidelines for yacht certification.
The latest Sustainable Yacht Notation provided by RINA assesses both environmental and social targets. It is a result of combined compliance against GREEN-PLUS, COMFORT LARGE YACHT, DOLPHIN, MLC DESIGN, BIOSAFE SHIP and other sustainable targets. The notation covers a wide-reaching set of targets including pollution, welfare and comfort onboard, noise emission underwater, and protection against the spread of viruses. This notation is important because it helps to ensure that yachts are sustainable and compliant with a variety of environmental and social targets.
There is a new era in the design and build of custom superyachts that requires a change to the services provided by classification, and engineering support companies. These companies must now provide more comprehensive and customized services to meet the needs of their clients.
Spadoni concludes that the creation of the RINA Maxima brand reflects the modern demands of custom superyachts. This brand brings together broad and in-depth expertise to specifically address the needs of this sector. It is designed to help owners, designers and operators meet the challenges for the future and deliver the skills required to embrace the benefits of a new approach which incorporates digital and future-ready technology.
