Classification societies join forces to form Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium

The yacht industry has taken an important step toward a safer and more eco-friendly future with the formation of the Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium (YSEC). This new group, introduced at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024, brings together five top global safety experts: Lloyd’s Register (LR), RINA, DNV, Bureau Veritas (BV), and ABS. These companies are working together to improve safety standards and reduce the environmental impact of yachts.

Why YSEC Matters

Yachts, unlike many other ships, do not get the same guidance and rules from the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). This has created a gap in safety and environmental guidelines. The YSEC was formed to fix this issue, especially for yachts over 24 meters long. Their goal is to help the yacht industry improve by creating best practices for safety and sustainability.

By using the combined knowledge of Lloyd’s Register, RINA, DNV, Bureau Veritas, and ABS, the consortium will focus on important areas like yacht design, operation, and the environment. YSEC members believe that working together is the best way to face the growing challenges in the yacht industry.

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A Unified Effort

The group will choose a Chair and Vice Chair every two years from its members. They have already started working on environmental guidelines and standards for calculating yacht sizes and load limits.

Engel-Jan de Boer, Global Yacht Segment Director at Lloyd’s Register, shared his excitement about the new consortium, saying: “We are proud to work with our peers to form the Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium. By joining forces, we can solve safety and environmental problems more efficiently.”

Fiorenzo Spadoni, North Europe Marine Senior Director at RINA, added: “This is a big moment for the superyacht industry. Safety and protecting the environment are key. We must work together to make sure we are all on the same page.”

Strength Through Collaboration

Each member of the consortium sees this partnership as a way to bring big improvements to the yachting world. Martin Richter, Ship Type Expert at DNV Maritime, said: “We are happy to share our knowledge as founding members of YSEC. A unified approach helps provide clear and consistent rules for the yacht industry.”

Andreas Ullrich, Global Market Leader at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, believes the consortium will advance yacht safety and sustainability, while Daniele Bottino from ABS expressed his pride in seeing the project come to life after a year of planning.

Together, these experts are confident that by pooling their resources, they can make the yacht industry not only safer but also greener, guiding it toward a more sustainable future.