Latest news with #SEAIndex
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SEA Index Partners with Bureau Veritas to Expand Its Superyacht Sustainability Certification Program
MONACO, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading superyacht CO2 certification provider, SEA Index is collaborating with Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) in a bid to reduce underwater noise pollution throughout the superyacht sector. Underwater radiated noise (URN) has a profound impact on marine ecosystems, with research showing it can disrupt critical life functions and exacerbate the decline in marine biodiversity. While regulation and guidance on URN is increasing, this is targeted primarily at commercial shipping operators. Now, SEA Index by Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) plans to empower yacht owners to mitigate the environmental impact of their vessels by monitoring and reducing underwater radiated noise. Working in partnership with leading testing, inspection and certification service provider, BV, SEA Index will adapt existing noise mitigation strategies exclusively for the superyacht sector. By applying an accurate superyacht operational profile and incorporating established URN measurement and reduction methodologies, SEA Index and BV will provide superyacht owners with access to independent and reliable guidance and information to monitor and reduce underwater radiated noise. 'This additional SEA Index segment is a particularly rewarding one to work on alongside BV. Our discussions, initiated over a year ago, quickly aligned to safeguarding marine biodiversity through the evaluation and reduction of superyacht underwater radiated noise (URN). By increasing awareness and providing independently verified assessment criteria, we can empower superyacht owners and shipyards to minimise noise pollution and protect our oceans,' explained Natalie Quevert, General Secretary, SEA Index. 'BV is committed to advancing sustainable maritime practices, and our partnership with SEA Index represents a significant step toward protecting marine environments from the impacts of underwater noise pollution. We are proud to support the superyacht sector in adopting precise, science-based measures to monitor and reduce underwater radiated noise. This collaboration underscores our shared dedication to fostering innovation and responsibility in the maritime industry, ultimately contributing to healthier oceans for future generations,' said Matthieu de Tugny, President, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore. This collaboration was announced as part of the "Advanced Yachting Technology" conference during the 12th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, highlighting the industry's commitment to innovation and sustainable solutions for the oceans of tomorrow. For more information:- A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SEA Index Partners with Bureau Veritas to Expand Its Superyacht Sustainability Certification Program
MONACO, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading superyacht CO2 certification provider, SEA Index is collaborating with Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) in a bid to reduce underwater noise pollution throughout the superyacht sector. Underwater radiated noise (URN) has a profound impact on marine ecosystems, with research showing it can disrupt critical life functions and exacerbate the decline in marine biodiversity. While regulation and guidance on URN is increasing, this is targeted primarily at commercial shipping operators. Now, SEA Index by Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) plans to empower yacht owners to mitigate the environmental impact of their vessels by monitoring and reducing underwater radiated noise. Working in partnership with leading testing, inspection and certification service provider, BV, SEA Index will adapt existing noise mitigation strategies exclusively for the superyacht sector. By applying an accurate superyacht operational profile and incorporating established URN measurement and reduction methodologies, SEA Index and BV will provide superyacht owners with access to independent and reliable guidance and information to monitor and reduce underwater radiated noise. 'This additional SEA Index segment is a particularly rewarding one to work on alongside BV. Our discussions, initiated over a year ago, quickly aligned to safeguarding marine biodiversity through the evaluation and reduction of superyacht underwater radiated noise (URN). By increasing awareness and providing independently verified assessment criteria, we can empower superyacht owners and shipyards to minimise noise pollution and protect our oceans,' explained Natalie Quevert, General Secretary, SEA Index. 'BV is committed to advancing sustainable maritime practices, and our partnership with SEA Index represents a significant step toward protecting marine environments from the impacts of underwater noise pollution. We are proud to support the superyacht sector in adopting precise, science-based measures to monitor and reduce underwater radiated noise. This collaboration underscores our shared dedication to fostering innovation and responsibility in the maritime industry, ultimately contributing to healthier oceans for future generations,' said Matthieu de Tugny, President, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore. This collaboration was announced as part of the "Advanced Yachting Technology" conference during the 12th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, highlighting the industry's commitment to innovation and sustainable solutions for the oceans of tomorrow. For more information:- A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Yachting: in Monaco, the Sea Index sets the course for ecological transition
MONACO, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the heart of the Mediterranean, where luxury yachting meets the pressing demands of environmental responsibility, Monaco is positioning itself as a frontrunner in sustainable maritime innovation. This week, the Principality hosted the 'Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF)' - an official event of the United Nations Ocean Conference - bringing together global leaders, investors, policymakers, and scientists to shape the future of blue finance and ocean-related innovation. Held under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II and in partnership with the Principality, the forum served as a platform for unveiling impactful tools such as the Sea Index, a pioneering initiative by the Yacht Club de Monaco developed with Credit Suisse (a Ubs Group company). Presented during the session titled 'Setting Sail to Blue Ports and Shipping', which focused on decarbonizing maritime transport and port infrastructure, the SEA Index was highlighted as a key enabler of the ecological transition within the yachting industry. Rachel Ercole Ribes, Development Manager of Sea Index, emphasized the critical role yacht owners can play in leading this transition: "Yacht owners are often also captains of industry. They possess both the means and the influence to unlock technological barriers. Decarbonization is not just a regulatory obligation, it is a shared responsibility. With the Sea Index, we provide a reliable, transparent, and scalable tool and, above all, we assert pioneering leadership in the sector, to anticipate future regulations and foster innovation starting today". The high-level panel included key industry figures: Christine Cabau (EVP Assets and Operations, CMA CGM Group), Paul Taylor (Global Head of Maritime Industries at Société Générale and Vice Chair of the Poseidon Principles), Christophe Castaner (Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Grand Port Maritime de Marseille), and Stefano Sommadossi (President, NatPower). The discussion was moderated by Nick Brown, Corporate Affairs Director at Bureau Veritas. The Sea Index offers an independent, certified methodology - validated by Lloyd's Register and labeled by Capenergies - that enables yachts over 24 meters to assess and reduce their carbon footprint. It includes a lifecycle emissions calculator based on fuel choice and is designed to integrate future metrics such as air and noise pollution, as well as emerging technologies like fuel cells. The tool is already seeing growing adoption across the Mediterranean, with around twenty ports in France's Southern Region involved, and is now expanding globally, with initial deployment in the Seychelles in partnership with local authorities. Beyond this, the Yacht Club de Monaco continues to promote sustainable innovation through the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (July 1–5, 2025), an open innovation platform that brings together engineering schools and industry stakeholders to test future energy solutions at sea. As the blue economy already generates $2.5 trillion annually and is expected to exceed $3 trillion by 2030 (OECD), Monaco is not drifting with the tide, it is anchoring its vision firmly in the future. For more information:- A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
10-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
17th Business Symposium – La Belle Classe Superyachts: A Global Dialogue on the Future of Yachting at the Yacht Club de Monaco
MONACO, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Yacht Club de Monaco recently hosted, in collaboration with UBS, the 17th Business Symposium – La Belle Classe Superyachts, a prestigious dinner debate, bringing together key players in the yachting industry. More than just a networking opportunity, the event served as a platform for professionals to exchange insights on the latest trends and innovations shaping the sector. The 2025 edition centered on a crucial topic: 'The Economic Impact of International and Geopolitical Tensions on the Yachting Industry.' 'This event is quite unique worldwide because tonight, we have gathered the most influential figures in the yachting industry,' said Bernard d'Alessandri, General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco. 'Faced with geopolitical uncertainties, international yachting must not only adapt but also anticipate. The role of the YCM is to support this change by promoting innovative and responsible yachting,' he added. Sustainability played a significant role at this year's symposium, beginning with an awards ceremony recognizing two yachts that achieved the three-star rating the SEA Index, a classification system measuring yacht emissions. 'We developed this system by taking inspiration from the automotive industry,' explained Natalie Quévert, General Secretary of the SEA Index. 'Just as people are accustomed to checking energy efficiency ratings when purchasing an appliance or a house, we created a star-rating system from zero to five stars. Five stars indicate the lowest environmental impact,' - she clarified - 'A three-star rating is the minimum requirement for accessing certain benefits.' The SEA Index, a non-profit initiative launched in 2020 by the Yacht Club de Monaco and Credit Suisse, is part of the 'Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting' project. It serves as a benchmark for evaluating the CO₂ emissions of yachts, supporting owners in their transition toward a more sustainable future. 'We created this initiative a few years ago because superyacht owners were asking pragmatic questions,' Quévert added. 'They wanted to reduce operating costs while understanding how their yachts could become more efficient and environmentally responsible.' About global Market Trends and Geopolitical Impacts, Ralph Dazert, Head of Intelligence at Superyacht Times, provided a comprehensive analysis: 'In 2024, the market continued to slow down, though not as sharply as before. During the pandemic, yacht sales reached record highs, so a subsequent decline was expected.' However, he suggested that the industry may now be at the end of this cycle, with potential signs of recovery on the horizon. A key indicator to watch is the U.S. market, especially under the newly elected President Donald Trump, whose pro-business policies could create a favorable investment climate. 'Most yachts are built in Europe, and with a strengthening U.S. dollar, European yachts could become more competitively priced in the American market,' he added. The symposium also addressed the impact of ongoing global conflicts on the industry. The Russia-Ukraine war led to a sharp decline in sales to Russian clients and resulted in the seizure of at least ten large Russian-owned yachts in Western countries. However, many unfinished projects were resold, with American buyers stepping in to purchase projects similar to the ones destined for Russian clients. The Gaza conflict initially caused hesitation among Israeli and Jewish-American buyers, though this uncertainty now appears to be easing. In the Asia-Pacific region, the market is gradually recovering post-pandemic: Hong Kong remains the regional yachting hub, Singapore is emerging as a growing market, Australia remains stable, while China's trajectory remains uncertain. Despite ongoing uncertainties, global economic performance is expected to remain resilient, with moderate global GDP growth forecast through to 2025. The phenomenon of 'slowbalisation' - a slower but ongoing form of globalisation - is also affecting the yachting industry. There is now a greater emphasis on more regional supply chains and fast-growing emerging markets, such as the Arabian Gulf and Southeast Asia. 'We live in an era where economic uncertainty is no longer an occasional disruption, but a constant reality. Despite geopolitical tensions and the restructuring of global supply chains, the wealth of billionaires has doubled over the past decade to around $14 trillion, while the number of billionaires has risen from 1,757 to 2,682,' said Ernesto De Marzio, Managing Director - Head of Front at UBS Monaco. This growth directly fuels the demand for yachts. Despite the turbulence, the global yachting market is demonstrating a remarkable ability to adapt. Continued growth in global wealth is driving demand for superyachts, with North America and Europe remaining the dominant markets, while Asia and the Middle East are experiencing rapid expansion. Emerging destinations such as Singapore and the Arabian Gulf continue to grow in importance, with significant investment in nautical tourism and an increase in local fleets. In recent years, banks have moved beyond simply assessing the financial capacity of buyers when approving yacht finance. Environmental criteria are playing an increasingly important role. Tools such as the SEA Index, which measures the energy efficiency of superyachts, are now integrated into the financial decision-making process. Geopolitical tensions have also influenced the industry's reliance on third-party assessment tools for yacht financing. This shift reflects a wider effort by financial institutions to anticipate risk and encourage investment in line with evolving market demands. With this symposium, the Yacht Club de Monaco has launched 2025 with renewed ambition, reaffirming its core values while looking confidently toward the future. Next on the agenda is the 14th Environmental Symposium, set to take place on March 6 at the Yacht Club de Monaco. This highly anticipated event will focus on the latest sustainability initiatives in the yachting industry, further solidifying Monaco's commitment to a greener future.
