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The global yacht industry marked a major milestone in its pursuit of safety and sustainability with the formation of the Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium (YSEC). Leading classification societies—DNV, Lloyd’s Register (LR), RINA, Bureau Veritas (BV), and ABS—came together to officially launch YSEC at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show.
The newly established consortium is a critical step toward enhancing the safety standards and environmental stewardship of yachts over 24 meters in length. Unlike commercial vessels, yachts have not been historically covered under the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) regulations. YSEC fills this gap by focusing on best practices, safety, sustainability, and environmental responsibility in the yachting sector.
Objectives and Mission of YSEC
The main goal of YSEC is to provide a unified approach to tackle the growing challenges of yacht safety and environmental impact, ensuring that the yacht industry stays aligned with global safety protocols and environmental regulations. The consortium will support yacht designers, owners, and operators with guidelines on tonnage calculations, load line assignments, and environmental indices to foster a safer and more sustainable maritime future.
In the words of Martin Richter, Ship Type Expert Yachts at DNV Maritime:
“Collaborating on initiatives that promote safety and protect the environment is crucial to achieving the highest industry standards. We believe that a unified approach is essential for providing greater clarity and consistency within the yachting industry.”
Key Voices in the Industry
Other prominent figures in the industry expressed their optimism for the future of yachting with YSEC. Engel-Jan de Boer, Global Yacht Segment Director at Lloyd’s Register, highlighted how the collaboration will lead to new benchmarks for safety and environmental practices in the industry. Similarly, Fiorenzo Spadoni, North Europe Marine Senior Director at RINA, emphasized the importance of collective contributions from stakeholders in advancing safety at sea and protecting the environment.
Environmental and Safety Initiatives
The consortium will initially work on creating a framework for improving the environmental performance of yachts, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, and protecting marine biodiversity. Dubravka Zaja, Shiptype Manager Yachts at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, added that YSEC aims to advise on operational practices and contribute to a more sustainable maritime future.
By combining technical expertise and collaboration across major stakeholders, YSEC seeks to lead the yachting industry into a future where environmental sustainability and safety are central priorities. The consortium plans to appoint a Chair and Vice Chair on a rotating basis, further solidifying its commitment to shared leadership and responsibility.
As the yacht industry grows, the creation of YSEC is a pivotal development that will drive safety and environmental innovation. With the backing of renowned classification societies, this consortium will help guide the sector towards a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
The collaboration is expected to influence not only the immediate stakeholders but also the broader maritime industry, setting new standards for years to come.
